Ever since the great Maps debacle of iOS 6, Apple has been trying to gain lost ground to the competitors it suggested against its own native app. But can transit directions and indoor mapping be enough?
The WWDC keynote on Monday included a very significant update to Apple’s Maps app in iOS 9: mass transit directions.
Starting this fall, we’ll be able to use Maps to figure out a route to our destination that includes buses, subways, trains, even ferries. And it’s been a long time coming. Since 2012—when Google Maps was kicked to the curb in iOS 6—Apple Maps has had a tab suggesting third-party apps (like Google Maps...) to get public transportation routes. The transit update in iOS 9 marks an important step for Apple and its Maps service not having to rely on third parties to provide such a core smartphone functionality. It took them three years.
You’d think that after all this time Maps would have an expansive network of public transportation schedules and routes, but this feature is only available in select cities, including just 10 in North America and Europe.
It’s not shocking that Apple is taking its sweet time in creating a competitive Maps app. Cupertino is not fond of speed as much as precision. Apple says that Maps will one day be so accurate, it’ll tell you which subway entrance is best to take. Apple has started to send out its own fleet of vehicles to collect detailed mapping data, including Street View-style images and 3D mapping.
Beyond that, Apple is also testing self-driven robots to collect indoor mapping data of big office buildings and landmarks. The first building that Apple is looking to indoor map is the company’s new spaceship-looking headquarters.
Slow and steady seems to be Apple’s strategy in beefing up Maps, but features like transit directions and Street View are firmly in its competitor’s rearview mirror. Apple needs to pick it up a little or it could be left behind.
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