Apple Maps just announced that they’re rolling out a new redesigned, version of their Maps app to all users in the United States.
The updated version of Apple Maps has a bunch of new features designed to make Apple’s mapping software as good as Google’s popular Maps app.
The new version of Apple Maps offers faster and more accurate navigation, real-time transit updates, and “comprehensive views of roads, buildings, parks, airports, malls and more.”
The update also brings a new feature called “Look Around” which is essentially Apple’s take on Google Street View. It offers 3D street level imagery with high resolution so you can see what a location looks like from the street.
Look Around is currently only available in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Las Vegas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Oahu. However, according to a press release, Apple will continue to add more locations in the future.
How to Use Look Around?
To use Look Around, simply open the Apple Maps app and search for a city that supports the feature.
Then zoom into a specific area until the binoculars icon shows up in the top right corner of the Apple Maps app.
Now tap on the binoculars icon to open Look Around.
Additionally, you can tap on the double-arrow icon in the top left corner of your screen to expand Look Around to full screen.
Points of interest are highlighted with identifying icons and names so you can accurately tell what you’re looking at.
If you tap on the name of a business, for example, you’ll be able to see useful information such as its address, hours of operation, and phone number.
The updated Apple Maps app also allows users to share places they love using a new feature called “Collections.”
With Collections, you can create and share lists of your favorite restaurants, malls, parks, and more.
Besides one-tap navigation to frequent places with the new Favorites feature and being able to explore major cities with Look Around, there are other interesting features worth noting such as:
- Real-time transit information
- Indoor Maps
- Flight Status
- ETA sharing
- Flyover
- Siri Natural Language Guidance
You can learn more about what these features do and how to use theme here.
Have you tried the new Apple Maps app? Let us know what you think in the comments below.