Apple is taking the fight to Google with a redesigned Maps app that offers more in-depth coverage of roads and buildings and promises to deliver faster and more accurate navigation.
Apple Maps has traditionally fallen short of the Google alternative, but it has spent the last 18 months rebuilding the app from the ground up to ensure that it delivers the experience that iPhone users expect.
The fruits of Apple’s labour were finally revealed on Friday (30th January) with the launch of a new app that will offer more precise addresses and information and comprehensive views of buildings, airports, parks and other popular spots.
Users will also be able to tap into a range of new iOS 13-related features such as creating and sharing lists of favourite restaurants and sites and using one-click navigation for frequently visited destinations.
“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,” Apple senior VP Eddy Cue said in a statement.
Apple first released the Maps app in 2012 as a competitor to the popular Google Maps, but the launch was plagued with a number of issues and CEO Tim Cook was forced to apologise for the experience falling short of expectations.
Apple has been steadily improving the app since then and committed to a complete overhaul in 2018.
At the launch on Friday, Apple was also eager to stress the importance of its focus on privacy.
While Google collects user data to support many of its features, Apple Maps will not be connected to an Apple ID or send data to the cloud, while on-device intelligence will support more personalised settings.
The new Maps experience is available in the US now and will begin rolling out to the rest of the world later this year, starting with Europe.