Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Ford
Apple Maps is making huge efforts to turn Apple Maps into a new-generation product, but it can't do this without help from the companies that must adopt its platform.
Carmakers have so far been rather reluctant to work with Apple for its latest-generation ideas, and the Apple Maps EV routing is living proof.
Announced with much fanfare in 2020, the EV routing engine bundled with Apple Maps recorded scarce adoption. Ford pioneered the feature with the Mach-E, and Porsche brought the new capabilities to the Taycan earlier this year.
Ford is now lending a hand to Apple by expanding the Apple Maps EV routing to more vehicles.
Spotted in September, the feature was supposed to be bundled with a new software update rolling out to the F-150 Lightning by the end of the year. The first trucks got it in late October, but now the release has gained more pace, with customers who installed version 6.3 on their trucks confirming the Apple Maps EV routing is included.
The feature isn't yet available for all F-150 Lightning owners, as the rollout process appears to happen in stages, possibly for a reduced likelihood of glitches. Software companies typically use this approach to closely monitor the rollout process and suspend it if they detect a major bug. The strategy allows the parent companies to reduce the problems caused by a potential bug and prevent it from making its way to more devices.
The Apple Maps EV routing bundled with the software update allows F-150 Lightning to get an estimated charge level at arrival when using navigation powered by Apple's software. The application can also automatically suggest charging stops by continuously monitoring the battery charge.
The competition in the EV navigation space is getting fiercer as Apple and Google release more improvements to their software. Google is also betting big on Android Automotive, its fully featured operating system aimed at electric vehicles. AAOS sports deeper integration into the vehicle, so Google Maps can also provide the driver with information similar to the one now landing in the F-150 Lightning
Google Maps on AAOS has full access to battery information, so it can estimate if the existing battery charge is enough to reach a defined destination. Google Maps can also reroute to automatically add charging stops to a journey.
Apple is also working on improving Apple Maps on other fronts. iOS 17, which debuted for the iPhone XS and newer in September, includes support for offline navigation. Users must download the maps before starting driving, with Apple Maps offering turn-by-turn navigation without an Internet connection. The feature is also available in Google Maps, but Apple Maps also supports additional transportation modes, including public transportation and walking. The feature includes only basic navigation information, as without Internet access, it can't download traffic conditions and other real-time data.
Announced with much fanfare in 2020, the EV routing engine bundled with Apple Maps recorded scarce adoption. Ford pioneered the feature with the Mach-E, and Porsche brought the new capabilities to the Taycan earlier this year.
Ford is now lending a hand to Apple by expanding the Apple Maps EV routing to more vehicles.
Spotted in September, the feature was supposed to be bundled with a new software update rolling out to the F-150 Lightning by the end of the year. The first trucks got it in late October, but now the release has gained more pace, with customers who installed version 6.3 on their trucks confirming the Apple Maps EV routing is included.
The feature isn't yet available for all F-150 Lightning owners, as the rollout process appears to happen in stages, possibly for a reduced likelihood of glitches. Software companies typically use this approach to closely monitor the rollout process and suspend it if they detect a major bug. The strategy allows the parent companies to reduce the problems caused by a potential bug and prevent it from making its way to more devices.
The Apple Maps EV routing bundled with the software update allows F-150 Lightning to get an estimated charge level at arrival when using navigation powered by Apple's software. The application can also automatically suggest charging stops by continuously monitoring the battery charge.
The competition in the EV navigation space is getting fiercer as Apple and Google release more improvements to their software. Google is also betting big on Android Automotive, its fully featured operating system aimed at electric vehicles. AAOS sports deeper integration into the vehicle, so Google Maps can also provide the driver with information similar to the one now landing in the F-150 Lightning
Google Maps on AAOS has full access to battery information, so it can estimate if the existing battery charge is enough to reach a defined destination. Google Maps can also reroute to automatically add charging stops to a journey.
Apple is also working on improving Apple Maps on other fronts. iOS 17, which debuted for the iPhone XS and newer in September, includes support for offline navigation. Users must download the maps before starting driving, with Apple Maps offering turn-by-turn navigation without an Internet connection. The feature is also available in Google Maps, but Apple Maps also supports additional transportation modes, including public transportation and walking. The feature includes only basic navigation information, as without Internet access, it can't download traffic conditions and other real-time data.
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