In the right direction: Apple further expands coverage of Maps features
In its continuing drive to take the lead over Google Maps, Apple has further expanded the coverage of some of the key functions of its Maps software. According to its official listing of supported locations for iOS features, Apple has just brought Flyover, Traffic, Transit, and Nearby in Apple Maps to certain additional areas.
Flyover
Perhaps the most interesting feature of Apple Maps, Flyover offers photorealistic, interactive, 3-D bird’s-eye views of select major metro areas that can be zoomed, panned, and rotated to better explore cities and their landmarks.
And now, you can “fly over” four new areas in Apple Maps, namely: Aomori, Japan; Bruges, Belgium; Lake Powell, Utah; and Limoges, France. Flyover is now available in more than 50 areas around the world.
Traffic
Similar to Waze, Apple Maps offers real-time traffic information, including details on backups and suggestions for alternative routes — all to help you get to your destination as quickly as possible.
Previously, Apple Maps’ Traffic feature was available only in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.
But now, Traffic has been made available in Hong Kong and Mexico as well.
Transit
Access to public transit data is also included in Apple Maps’ feature set. The software’s public transit support provides information on train, light rail and bus services, along with travel time estimates, to help users directly compare how long walking, driving, or public transport will take in order to get from A to B.
Last month, it was reported that public transit data for Los Angeles, California, had begun appearing in Apple Maps. Now, the city’s addition to the software’s Transit coverage has been made official by Apple as the new location joins the following in the company’s listing: Baltimore, Maryland; Berlin, Germany; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; China; London, England; Mexico City, Mexico; New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; San Francisco, California; and Sydney, Australia.
Nearby
Another notable feature of Apple Maps is Nearby, which lets users search for nearby businesses and establishments across different categories including food, drink, shopping, and more.
Previously available only in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, and the U.S., Nearby in Apple Maps has just undergone a European expansion as it’s now supported in the Netherlands and the U.K.
The new data associated with this round of coverage expansion are accessible in Apple Maps on iOS 9. The changes are expected to be reflected in Apple Maps on OS X 10.11 El Capitan soon.
