Apple rolls out new Maps app in the United States

[Karlston]

Apple rolls out new Maps app in the United States

Today, Apple announced that it's rolling out a new version of its Maps app to everyone in the United States. The new Apple Maps offers "faster and more accurate navigation", in addition to more detailed views of roads, buildings, parks, airports, and more, promising to make for a more enjoyable experience.

 

The new app also includes a host of old and new features beyond just giving you a map of the area you're in. Look Around lets users explore cities such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas as if they were walking the streets, complete with 3D images for the surroundings. Collections is another feature that allows users to save their preferred locations, such as restaurants, so they're easily accessible and shareable at any given time.

Other features include real-time transit, the ability to share your estimated time of arrival with friends, and information about upcoming flights. You also get indoor maps, "natural-sounding" turn-by-turn navigation spoken by Siri, and Flyover, which lets users see 3D images of cities as if they were flying above them.

 

The new Apple Maps has been fully rolled out in the United States, and Apple says it will bring the same experience to users in Europe in the coming months. Apple Maps powers a range of other mapping services, so the improvements will likely be noticed by more than just those who have Apple devices.

 

 

Source: Apple rolls out new Maps app in the United States (Neowin)

[steven36]

Apple Just Dealt A Major Blow To Google With This New Maps Update

 

By Kate O'Flaherty

 

 

Apple has dealt a major blow to its biggest rival Google with an update of Apple Maps focusing on privacy. The rebuilt Apple Maps app is starting to roll out to users in the U.S. and will reach Europe very soon. 

It comes as Apple continues to hail itself as the technology company of choice for those who care about their privacy. The iPhone maker’s iOS 13 operating system already hits out at Google by reminding users when its Maps app is collecting their data.

 

This new Apple Maps update comes at a time when people are increasingly conscious about their privacy and security–especially when it comes to location. Apple was this week forced to roll out a privacy control in iOS 13.3.1 that resolved an issue with the company’s ultra-wideband iPhone 11 chip.

 

What’s new for privacy in Apple Maps?

 

Among the privacy controls in Apple Maps, no sign in is required, and it’s not connected to your Apple ID at all, the firm said in an announcement. Personalized features such as the time you need to leave to get to your next appointment are created using on device intelligence.

 

Meanwhile, data collected while using the app–for example search terms or traffic information–is associated with random identifiers, Apple said. These continually reset to “ensure the best possible experience and to improve Maps,” Apple claimed.

 

At the same time, the updated Maps app can obscure your location on Apple’s servers when you’re searching for directions using a cool technique it calls “fuzzing.” Apple says Maps converts the location where the search originated to a less exact one after 24 hours, plus it doesn’t retain a history of what’s been searched or where you have been.

 

“Not having to sign in to use this application adds great protection and security to the user, which is obviously a bonus,” says Jake Moore, cybersecurity specialist at ESET. However, he points out that there will be “a certain amount of trace when it comes to apps using GPS.”

Apple’s Eddy Cue hails “the best and most private maps app on the planet”

Here’s what Apple says about the updated Maps:

 

“We set out to create the best and most private maps app on the planet that is reflective of how people explore the world today,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. 

 

“It is an effort we are deeply invested in and it required that we rebuild the map from the ground up to reimagine how Maps enhances people’s lives— from navigating to work or school or planning an important vacation—all with privacy at its core. 

 

“The completion of the new map in the United States and delivering new features like Look Around and Collections are important steps in bringing that vision to life. We look forward to bringing this new map to the rest of the world starting with Europe later this year.”

Apple’s privacy stance: Enough to ditch Google?

Google and Facebook continue to come under fire for breaches of data privacy, and Apple is capitalizing on that with its latest move. However, Google is the most popular Maps app with 67% of the overall market, and to be fair, in my experience its service works a lot better than Apple’s. 

 

“Google Maps has been the go to app in terms of maps for some time, with others playing catch-up,” says security researcher Sean Wright. “This has often meant that things such as privacy took a back seat, so it is really encouraging to see Apple to actually put effort in to improve privacy. Hopefully this will help push others to follow.”

 

The privacy battle is certainly heating up. As Moore says: “The fight between the technology companies on the privacy front is an interesting one to watch–and the company that takes on privacy the most strongly could win the war.”

 

Apple Maps has improved a lot since it first launched, but there’s a trade-off to do. How much does privacy matter, and are these changes to Apple Maps enough to make you switch? You can control Google Maps privacy in iOS 13, but for many people, trust is still an issue.

 

Source