Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Apple
A few years ago, Apple embarked on an ambitious project to completely transform Apple Maps from the ground up, including with the company's own maps.
By giving up on third-party data, Apple not only reduces reliance on other companies but also obtains more control over the maps offered to users, focusing specifically on the areas that it believes are the most important today.
The new Apple Maps offers incredible maps with details like sidewalks, crosswalks, buildings, 3D models, trees, and a comprehensive view of roads. Users get upgraded navigation that includes traffic lights and stop signs, along with a more detailed look at the roads included in the suggested routes.
Apple is rolling out the new experience to users worldwide in stages, and this week, the company announced that the new Apple Maps is live in Hong Kong.
With this update, the company gives more users a reason to abandon Google Maps, as Google's service is often considered the go-to alternative to Apple Maps.
The iPhone maker explains that the navigation experience in Hong Kong gets a major update as part of this new release, as Apple Maps now comes with Natural Language Guidance. The feature includes more natural directions when navigation is enabled, so instead of hearing something like "In 200 meters, turn left," Apple Maps will now use more natural-sounding directions like "At the next traffic light, turn left."
The experience is supposed to make following a suggested route more convenient, and Apple explains that the feature lineup also includes multistep routing and lane guidance.
Apple Maps also gets incident reporting in Hong Kong. The feature turns Apple Maps into a Waze alternative, though the support for reporting traffic incidents is still in its early days and includes only three options, namely speed traps, accidents, and other hazards. Apple promises to expand this feature, hoping that incident reporting will eventually gain more traction worldwide.
Apple reminds users that Apple Maps is improving on other fronts, too. The application now includes support for offline navigation, allowing users to navigate to a configured destination without an Internet connection. The feature is part of iOS 17, the latest operating system update available for the iPhone XS and newer.
The new Apple Maps update in Hong Kong also includes refined transit guidance. Users can find nearby stations more easily and even pin their favorite lines, so when they want to travel, they can get essential data, such as arrival times, much faster. Apple Maps also offers notifications when it's time to get off at a stop.
The new Apple Maps experience should be available for all users in Hong Kong, and no update is required, as the new maps are enabled automatically in the region.
The new Apple Maps offers incredible maps with details like sidewalks, crosswalks, buildings, 3D models, trees, and a comprehensive view of roads. Users get upgraded navigation that includes traffic lights and stop signs, along with a more detailed look at the roads included in the suggested routes.
Apple is rolling out the new experience to users worldwide in stages, and this week, the company announced that the new Apple Maps is live in Hong Kong.
With this update, the company gives more users a reason to abandon Google Maps, as Google's service is often considered the go-to alternative to Apple Maps.
The iPhone maker explains that the navigation experience in Hong Kong gets a major update as part of this new release, as Apple Maps now comes with Natural Language Guidance. The feature includes more natural directions when navigation is enabled, so instead of hearing something like "In 200 meters, turn left," Apple Maps will now use more natural-sounding directions like "At the next traffic light, turn left."
The experience is supposed to make following a suggested route more convenient, and Apple explains that the feature lineup also includes multistep routing and lane guidance.
Apple Maps also gets incident reporting in Hong Kong. The feature turns Apple Maps into a Waze alternative, though the support for reporting traffic incidents is still in its early days and includes only three options, namely speed traps, accidents, and other hazards. Apple promises to expand this feature, hoping that incident reporting will eventually gain more traction worldwide.
Apple reminds users that Apple Maps is improving on other fronts, too. The application now includes support for offline navigation, allowing users to navigate to a configured destination without an Internet connection. The feature is part of iOS 17, the latest operating system update available for the iPhone XS and newer.
The new Apple Maps update in Hong Kong also includes refined transit guidance. Users can find nearby stations more easily and even pin their favorite lines, so when they want to travel, they can get essential data, such as arrival times, much faster. Apple Maps also offers notifications when it's time to get off at a stop.
The new Apple Maps experience should be available for all users in Hong Kong, and no update is required, as the new maps are enabled automatically in the region.
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