Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
Apple is very committed to improving Apple Maps worldwide, and despite the slow rollout of new-generation updates, the company now wants to spend the next eight months specifically to improve the app in the United Kingdom.
The company will start collecting data in the United Kingdom using vehicles and pedestrians, though it's unclear when the new Apple Maps experience could go live for local users.
However, Apple says vehicles will collect data in the United Kingdom until October, while pedestrians carrying backpacks fitted with image collection hardware will walk on the streets of Birmingham, London, and Manchester between May 20 and September 11.
Apple typically needs several months to prepare an update in Apple Maps after the data collection process is over, so expect the new maps to go live in the United Kingdom in 2025.
Apple is working around the clock on upgrading Apple Maps, and the detailed city experience is the company's next big milestone in its effort to build a more advanced Google Maps competitor. The DCE includes new maps built by Apple from scratch (compared to the previous Apple Maps version, which used maps from third-party providers), a new navigation experience, Look Around, and incident reporting.
The DCE is already live in several regions, with Apple also working on expanding it worldwide. However, the release happens slowly, making it impossible for Apple Maps to become a true competitor for Google Maps.
With this eight-month plan, Apple hopes the United Kingdom would stick with Apple Maps, especially as the company is working on bigger updates. Apple Maps will soon start displaying turn-by-turn navigation in the instrument cluster with CarPlay, thanks to an update coming to users with the release of the next iOS update.
Apple Maps will eventually play a bigger role once the iPhone maker finalizes its electric vehicle. The Apple Car should debut in 2028, likely with limited self-driving capabilities. However, the company is already working on more advanced autonomous driving, with Apple Maps to become the engine powering the system.
Meanwhile, the lack of certain essential features still pushes many users to Google Maps. The search giant is also improving Google Maps continuously, adding new-generation capabilities that refine the experience behind the wheel. The best example is Immersive View for routes, a feature that combines aerial imagery with street-level data, traffic conditions, and weather forecasts to create a realistic simulation of the world.
Using this multidimensional view, Google Maps users can explore a suggested route more thoroughly, making every second behind the wheel more predictable, especially when driving to an unfamiliar destination. Like Apple's DCE, Immersive View for route requires tremendous work and isn't yet available worldwide but only in limited regions. Google has already promised to expand its availability this year.
However, Apple says vehicles will collect data in the United Kingdom until October, while pedestrians carrying backpacks fitted with image collection hardware will walk on the streets of Birmingham, London, and Manchester between May 20 and September 11.
Apple typically needs several months to prepare an update in Apple Maps after the data collection process is over, so expect the new maps to go live in the United Kingdom in 2025.
Apple is working around the clock on upgrading Apple Maps, and the detailed city experience is the company's next big milestone in its effort to build a more advanced Google Maps competitor. The DCE includes new maps built by Apple from scratch (compared to the previous Apple Maps version, which used maps from third-party providers), a new navigation experience, Look Around, and incident reporting.
The DCE is already live in several regions, with Apple also working on expanding it worldwide. However, the release happens slowly, making it impossible for Apple Maps to become a true competitor for Google Maps.
With this eight-month plan, Apple hopes the United Kingdom would stick with Apple Maps, especially as the company is working on bigger updates. Apple Maps will soon start displaying turn-by-turn navigation in the instrument cluster with CarPlay, thanks to an update coming to users with the release of the next iOS update.
Apple Maps will eventually play a bigger role once the iPhone maker finalizes its electric vehicle. The Apple Car should debut in 2028, likely with limited self-driving capabilities. However, the company is already working on more advanced autonomous driving, with Apple Maps to become the engine powering the system.
Meanwhile, the lack of certain essential features still pushes many users to Google Maps. The search giant is also improving Google Maps continuously, adding new-generation capabilities that refine the experience behind the wheel. The best example is Immersive View for routes, a feature that combines aerial imagery with street-level data, traffic conditions, and weather forecasts to create a realistic simulation of the world.
Using this multidimensional view, Google Maps users can explore a suggested route more thoroughly, making every second behind the wheel more predictable, especially when driving to an unfamiliar destination. Like Apple's DCE, Immersive View for route requires tremendous work and isn't yet available worldwide but only in limited regions. Google has already promised to expand its availability this year.
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