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Apple Begins Testing Revamped Maps App in UK and Ireland

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Apple has reportedly begun testing an expansion of its more detailed Apple Maps app in the United Kingdom and Ireland, according to Justin O'Beirne, who often shares details on updates made in ‌Apple Maps‌.

UK Ireland Apple Maps Revamp

Image via Justin O'Beirne

Since the Maps revamp in these countries is in testing stages, it is worth pointing out that the changes are not available to all users at the current time.

Apple announced at its virtual WWDC 2020 event that the new Maps app would be coming to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada "later this year," but no clear date was given as to when the rollout would be completed.

The revamped Maps app features richer landscape details such as roads, parking lots, parks, buildings, airports, and more. Apple uses its own vehicles equipped with LiDAR sensors and cameras to obtain mapping data.

Apple worked for over a year to complete the rollout of the new Maps app in the United States, and the process concluded in January with the expansion to the Southeast and Central United States.

Tag: Apple Maps

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Top Rated Comments

RickDEGH Avatar
RickDEGH
75 months ago
I switched full time to Apple Maps, deleted Google Maps app off my phone and I haven’t missed a thing, apart from the occasional need for bike directions. But I live in a small city in Germany and bike paths are well laid out so not much need there either.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Morgenland Avatar
Morgenland
75 months ago

Google maps seems more detailed.
Google maps seems more detailed.
But if you compare them closely, you will notice that Apple sometimes has partly overtaken Google...
After all, Apple is investing a lot of money, because these maps will be the new basis for some of their future projects.

Someone who has no idea how much effort it takes to create maps will always complain about the slowness of the creation process. Out of naivety and attitude to life. You're different there, dear Theyayarealivin.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
entropys Avatar
entropys
75 months ago
Apple really needs to put some on the ground resources into this. The leadership has obviously decided not to though. The roll out of any announced feature takes years. On such an essential app it is pretty ordinary TBH.

It’s like all they have is some old guy and his dog slowly wandering the world getting the data for an update. And his attitude and approach to work is retired in place.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
W
wynhou
75 months ago
Apple is a small company with very rare resources so I can’t imagine them doing a lot of work quickly /s

I still don’t understand why they can’t do this enmass, like hire a fleet of cars (especially during COVID) to do this world wide
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LV426 Avatar
LV426
75 months ago

With maps becoming ever-more detailed, it makes me wonder how LIDAR can discriminate between a statue and a bloke stood at a bus stop staring into the abyss?
It can’t. But all Apple Maps images are passed through an AI filter that blurs out things like human faces and car number plates, in a similar manner to that employed by Google Street View.

If you check out Look Around in Times Square, New York, you will find that the statue of George M Cohan “staring into the abyss” has a pixelated head :)
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LV426 Avatar
LV426
75 months ago

Apple Maps is the best!

unless you want POI, opening hours, fuzzy search, a helpful digital assistant that looks up destinations, local roadworks, speed limits, a visual distinction between buildup and open areas, or a quick fix for reported errors.
Bizarre. Apple Maps does all those things for me.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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