A Mac or iPhone is a no longer needed to access Apple Maps — a web version reached public beta testing Wednesday. It allows users to get driving and walking directions from a web browser, including Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs.
Update: Several weeks after the initial release, Apple Maps on the web now works on a broader selection of web browsers.
Apple Maps on the web beta now available for Windows users
Many people are required to use Windows as part of their jobs. And some people simply prefer Microsoft’s operating system, but also use an iPhone and/or an iPad. It’s no longer necessary for either of these groups to give up Apple Maps when using Windows. Also, app developers can link out to the web version for pointing customers to real-world locations.
The new online version is a beta, but it’s not stripped down. As noted, the web version of Apple’s navigation service offers driving and walking directions. In addition, users can order food directly from restaurants that support this feature. And it offers curated Guides to cities around the world.
The Look Around feature, which gives users an interactive, panoramic view of certain locations, isn’t included yet. However, Apple promises to add Look Around “in the coming months.”
Currently, Apple Maps on the web only supports the English language. Plus, the service can’t yet connect to a user’s Apple ID, so the web version isn’t pre-populated with information brought over from the iPhone/Mac/etc. version. Still, this is only the first public beta — limitations are to be expected.
Initially, the online service supported only Chrome and Edge on Windows and Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad. On August 8, the range grew considerably. Firefox was added to the list of supported Windows browsers, while Mac and iPad users now have the option to use Firefox and Edge. Firefox uses its own web engine, Gecko, so the online service had to be tweaked just for it.
Head over to the just-launched Apple Maps website to try the early version for yourself.
Source: Apple
