Apple Maps

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Apple Maps ( English original name: Apple Maps ) is a map service from Apple that was launched in September 2012 with the company's own iOS 6 operating system . The iOS dedicated application Maps is the localized application for the map service on the iPhone , iPad and iPod touch . Since OS X Mavericks , the Maps application has also been preinstalled on the Mac .

history

In June 2012, Apple announced the introduction of its own map service at WWDC , which should be released with iOS 6. The maps that were previously made available by Google Inc. and integrated into the corresponding mobile app should be replaced by a new offer. In addition to the display of road maps and a two-dimensional aerial image, Apple has introduced a function called Maps, called flyover , which users can use to move around in a three-dimensional image of selected cities. Furthermore, Apple Maps enables navigation by car.

After the presentation of Apple Maps, it was announced that TomTom was serving as a supplier of maps and other information. In addition to the navigation data, this also includes information about so-called points of interest , for example the location of a restaurant. In contrast to the Google Maps service previously included in iOS, Apple Maps is largely based on vector graphics , which enable loss-free zooming.

From iOS 11 the map app has a lane assistant, a speed limit display and indoor maps for buildings; Lane Assistant was initially only available in the US and China and was later expanded to other countries; Speed ​​limits are only available in England and the US.

In June 2018 the web version of the Apple maps with the MapKit framework was published. This JavaScript - programming , interactive Apple cards are integrated into websites, to mark locations and overlays added, as well as other geolocation services are running.

In 2019, Apple created a competitor to Google Street View with the Look Around feature , which is currently only available in the USA. Apple's camera vehicles have also recorded data in other countries, including Germany and France. The public transport function of Apple Maps has been available in Germany, France and Spain since February 2020.

criticism

After the official publication, Apple Maps was criticized for the fact that the map material contained numerous errors and was less detailed than other services. For example, the pedestrian zone in the old town of Göttingen was completely missing , and the Statue of Liberty was not displayed correctly. Roads and buildings were sometimes not displayed correctly in landscape mode. Magazines called on their readers to report the bizarre mistakes and published photo series. A separate Tumblr - Blog compares map, route and display problems with the cards of the competition.

Apple CEO Tim Cook officially apologized for the problems with Apple cards in late September and pointed out the availability of other card services from Google, Nokia or Microsoft. At the same time, he announced that the quality of the map material would improve as it became more widespread. In addition, an additional category was set up in the App Store in which alternatives to Apple Maps are summarized.

At the beginning of October 2012, Apple began to publicly activate the first improvements for the map service. This included, for example, a three-dimensional model of the Statue of Liberty , which was previously only seen as a shadow. The group has also asked customers and employees to help improve the service by using the app's feedback function.

With iOS 6.1, Apple made the report a problem button more prominent to make it easier to help improve the maps.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Description of Apple Maps on Yosemite , Apple Homepage, accessed April 30, 2015.
  2. ↑ Patrick Bellmer: Apple announces iOS 6 with its own cards. In: ComputerBase . June 12, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012 .
  3. ^ Daniel Eran Dilger: How Apple's new vector-based Maps leave Google Maps looking jittery. AppleInsider, August 3, 2012, accessed September 22, 2012 .
  4. ↑ Apple Maps: Lane Assistant now available in other European countries , macerkopf.de on April 17, 2018
  5. ↑ apple.com: iOS Feature Availability
  6. ↑ Apple's card technology can now be integrated into websites , macprime.ch on June 7, 2018
  7. ↑ iOS 13 Features. Retrieved February 19, 2020 (American English).
  8. ↑ Lars Budde: Apple Maps: The most bizarre errors of the iOS 6 service. In: t3n magazine . September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012 .
  9. ↑ Chris Stoecker: New iPhone Apple is embarrassed with card disaster. In: Spiegel online . September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012 .
  10. ↑ Carsten Dierig: The "apocalyptic horror show" of the iPhone cards. In: The world. September 21, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012 .
  11. ↑ The Amazing iOS6 Maps Blog
  12. ↑ Jan Kluczniok: Apple Maps: Alternative map apps are advertised in the App Store. In: netzwelt . October 1, 2012, accessed October 2, 2012 .
  13. ↑ Andreas Floemer: iOS 6 Maps: Apple is making improvements quickly. (No longer available online.) In: t3n magazine . October 8, 2012, archived from the original on October 10, 2012 ; Retrieved October 8, 2012 .
  14. ↑ Apple Maps. In: Twitter . January 28, 2013, accessed January 28, 2013 (screenshot).