Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Apple
Apple Maps has become a more advanced alternative to Google Maps with the introduction of offline maps and the detailed city experience, but the iPhone maker doesn't want to stop here.
The company is already working on more updates, and the debut of iOS 18 in the fall will witness the release of custom routes and topographic maps on the iPhone.
The features were spotted recently in Apple's code changes, so they're not available for users. They could be included in the iOS 18 beta builds expected to ship to developers and public testers after WWDC in June.
Custom routes will allow users to build their own routes in Apple Maps and use them for navigation. Apple Maps currently provides users with one or multiple routes based on the provided destination and traffic conditions. Users can only choose from the suggested routes, so the upcoming update will allow them to create custom routes that can later be enabled for turn-by-turn guidance.
Apple will likely use an approach similar to Google Maps, where users can create routes on a computer and send them to a smartphone for navigation in the car. Apple will probably integrate the same functionality in Apple Maps on computers, so users will be allowed to define a custom route on their MacBook and send it to their iPhones. The routes will be available for navigation on the smartphone and CarPlay.
The second feature is support for topographic maps on the iPhone. Already available on the Apple Watch and supposed to help users while hiking, the topographic maps will provide hill shading, elevation information, contour lines, and other details to help you determine how the terrain changes as you progress on your route. The topographic maps will probably land on the iPhone as a layer, and users will be able to enable it from the main map view.
Apple focusing more on Apple Maps makes sense after the company discontinued the Apple Car project. Apple has been working on an electric vehicle since 2014, and ditching the project means the company has to rethink its automotive strategy. Investing in products like Apple Maps and CarPlay is now a priority, as these products spearhead its automotive push, bringing the company's software closer to drivers and allowing it to remain relevant behind the wheel.
Apple is also giving the finishing touches to the next-generation CarPlay. The first cars running it should launch later this year, and Apple is expected to discuss the new CarPlay experience at WWDC in June. A closer look at the new Apple Maps should be offered, too, so the upcoming developer event is already looking interesting from an automotive perspective for the tech giant. Apple has so far remained tight-lipped on all these improvements.
The features were spotted recently in Apple's code changes, so they're not available for users. They could be included in the iOS 18 beta builds expected to ship to developers and public testers after WWDC in June.
Custom routes will allow users to build their own routes in Apple Maps and use them for navigation. Apple Maps currently provides users with one or multiple routes based on the provided destination and traffic conditions. Users can only choose from the suggested routes, so the upcoming update will allow them to create custom routes that can later be enabled for turn-by-turn guidance.
Apple will likely use an approach similar to Google Maps, where users can create routes on a computer and send them to a smartphone for navigation in the car. Apple will probably integrate the same functionality in Apple Maps on computers, so users will be allowed to define a custom route on their MacBook and send it to their iPhones. The routes will be available for navigation on the smartphone and CarPlay.
The second feature is support for topographic maps on the iPhone. Already available on the Apple Watch and supposed to help users while hiking, the topographic maps will provide hill shading, elevation information, contour lines, and other details to help you determine how the terrain changes as you progress on your route. The topographic maps will probably land on the iPhone as a layer, and users will be able to enable it from the main map view.
Apple focusing more on Apple Maps makes sense after the company discontinued the Apple Car project. Apple has been working on an electric vehicle since 2014, and ditching the project means the company has to rethink its automotive strategy. Investing in products like Apple Maps and CarPlay is now a priority, as these products spearhead its automotive push, bringing the company's software closer to drivers and allowing it to remain relevant behind the wheel.
Apple is also giving the finishing touches to the next-generation CarPlay. The first cars running it should launch later this year, and Apple is expected to discuss the new CarPlay experience at WWDC in June. A closer look at the new Apple Maps should be offered, too, so the upcoming developer event is already looking interesting from an automotive perspective for the tech giant. Apple has so far remained tight-lipped on all these improvements.
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