After its launch in 2012, Apple Maps performed so badly that Apple CEO Tim Cook actually apologized for the service and fired the company’s head of software (for the disastrous launch and other reasons). But now, many people actually choose Apple Maps over Google Maps and other services, according to a new report.
Google Maps improves iOS navigation and adds Apple Watch support
Google is making improvements to its Google Maps for iOS app, including new features and updates intended to make navigation easier on both iPhone and Apple Watch.
Changes to the Google Maps for iOS app include a more-detailed navigation map that shows enhanced building outlines as well as streetlights and stop signs. It’s designed to help users traveling in unfamiliar locations.
How to blur out your home in Apple Maps and Google Maps
Tim Cook’s plush home in Palo Alto, California, has been blurred out inside Apple Maps and Google Maps — likely because of an alleged stalking incident. If you enter his address, you’ll see nothing but a gigantic, pixelated wall.
But this kind of digital scrubbing isn’t reserved for top CEOs and celebrities. In fact, anyone can quite easily get their own home hidden from online maps. All you need to do is ask Apple and Google to conceal the locations. We’ll show you how.
Apple Maps erects gigantic digital wall to hide Tim Cook’s house
Apple fans who take a virtual stroll through Palo Alto inside Apple Maps and Google Maps no longer get to see Tim Cook’s house. The modern, four-bedroom condo has had a giant digital wall erected right in front of it.
We spotted the change after Apple received temporary restraining order against an alleged stalker, who claimed to be Cook’s wife, threatened the Apple boss and was caught trespassing on his property.
How to enable the new dark mode inside Google Maps on iPhone
Google Maps finally has a dark mode on iPhone, making it much more comfortable to use at night and in low light settings. Some users got the feature a little early — while it was in testing — and now it’s available to all.
We’ll show you how to enable it.
Google Maps finds its way to Apple Watch
A version of Google Maps for the Apple Watch starts rolling on Monday. The goal of this app is to allow users to navigate by car, bike, public transit or on foot, without having to look at an iPhone.
Also, Google Maps for Apple’s CarPlay Dashboard got some convenient new features today.
Google Maps spotlights nearby delivery and take-out restaurants
A pair of easy-to-see buttons have been added at the top of the Google Maps iPhone and Android apps to help users find restaurants in their area that offer takeout and delivery service. These point people toward nearby eateries still offering service during the coronavirus crisis.
Shortcutify integrates Spotify, Google Maps, Todoist and more into Shortcuts
Shortcutify is a free iOS app that lets you use web-based services in your Shortcuts. For instance, it can connect with Spotify, Todoist, AirTable and more, and provides an easy bridge between these services’ complicated APIs and the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
If you use any of the supported services, you’re going to totally love Shortcutify. If not? More app integrations are planned for the future.
Google Maps celebrates 15th birthday with new look on iPhone
Everyone’s favorite mapping service turns 15 on Thursday, and there are gifts in store to celebrate. The latest Google Maps update for iOS brings a revamped icon and brand-new features.
Users can look forward to a fresh new interface that makes exploring and commuting a little bit easier.
Apple debuts redesigned Maps with major U.S. improvements
Apple today rolled out its major Maps redesign to all users in the United States. It packs big improvements, including better road and pedestrian data, more precise addresses, and more detailed land coverage. It also offers Look Around, Apple’s answer to Google Maps’ Street View, in select locations.
Google Maps for iOS finally gets Incognito Mode
Google added new privacy protection features to the iOS version of Google Maps today, including Incognito Mode. The new feature, which has been available on Google Maps for Android for a while, makes it so that your searches and other navigation data isn’t saved to your Google Account.
Here’s how to toggle it on and off:
Share the misery by reporting traffic problems to Google Maps
Google Maps already alerts drivers about crashes and other traffic slowdowns, but the app is just now allowing users to report these incidents on their iPhone.
This has long been a feature of Waze, Google’s other iOS navigation app.
Google adds enhanced privacy tools to Maps and YouTube
Google just promised that Incognito mode will soon be added to Maps. And YouTube is getting timed auto-delete for the user’s video history. In addition, a new Password Checkup tool helps users avoid common passcodes.
This advertising company has been making similar changes to its other services in hopes of shaking a reputation for privacy invasion.
Google Maps adds speed limits and traps in 40+ countries
Google Maps has added the ability for drivers to see speed limits and speed traps in more than 40 countries.
The feature was previously exclusive to Waze, which is also owned by Google. It started making its way to Maps in January, but was limited to a small number of markets.
Apple breaks Google’s internal apps for privacy violations
Google’s internal apps have been completely disabled from running on iPhone’s and iPads today by Apple.
The move comes one day after Facebook’s internal apps suffered the same fate when Apple revoked the social network’s enterprise certificates that allowed them to install apps without going through the App Store. Without the certificates, Google is unable to test beta builds of its iOS apps.
Google Maps now helps you dodge speeding tickets while driving
Google Maps now shows you speed limits and speed traps while you’re driving in several countries around the world.
Google started testing the feature a couple of years ago, but only in the San Francisco Bay Area and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Now it is expanding its on both Android and iOS.
Google Maps now suggests where to go, not just how to get there
Google Maps is going beyond just giving driving directions. It’s new “For You” tab provides updates on restaurants, stores, or entire neighborhoods.
This free feature launched for Android over the summer, and begins rolling out to iOS today in dozens of countries.
This Siri Shortcut lets you ditch Google Maps for Apple Maps
If you click a Google Maps link on your iPhone, it either opens in the Google Maps app or — if the app isn’t installed — it opens Google Maps in Safari. But what if you prefer to have that link open in Apple Maps? To good news is tat it’s an easy fix, using iOS 12’s new Shortcuts app. Let’s see this cool Apple Maps shortcut.
Apple employee spotted walking streets wearing giant backpack with sensors
Apple’s mapping fleet is moving on two feet to get a closer look at your local streets.
We’ve seen Apple’s mapping vans roaming the U.S. for years now, but this week an Apple employee was spotted walking around San Francisco with a huge backpack that packed a bunch of sensors to gather data for the Apple Maps revamp.
Check out the setup:
Google Maps gains commuter tab, Apple Music integration
Google Maps just added additional tools designed to make long commutes more tolerable. These include a new tab that combines features commuters need, such as warnings that the trip will take longer than normal and integration with some popular music-streaming services.
Some of these tools are already available in rival applications, but nevertheless should be welcome to fans of Google Maps.
Google Maps finally works with CarPlay
Apple Maps is no longer the only option for navigation through Apple’s CarPlay system now that iOS 12 is out.
With an update released today for Google Maps, CarPlay users can now choose between Google Maps and Apple Maps. And more third-party apps are on the way.
Google tracks you even if you tell it not to
Google’s claim that it allows users to completely turn off all location tracking is completely false, according to research conducted by the Associated Press.
Whether you’re using an iPhone or Android device, the AP found that many Google services store your location data, even if you’ve used a privacy setting that is supposed to prevent Google from grabbing your data.
All the important stuff revealed at Google I/O
Google just took the wraps off its big software lineup for 2018. If Apple executives were watching, there’s a lot they should be worried about.
Artificial intelligence has always been one of Google’s strengths over Apple. But in 2018, the search company is going all out, putting AI in everything. Pretty much every app the company has is getting some new machine-learning tricks in the next few weeks that make certain iOS features look ancient.
Check out the biggest announcements from this morning’s Google I/O keynote.
The Bonfire: Forsaken Lands, and other awesome apps of the week
A brilliant minimalist settler simulation with added monsters is just of one of our picks for this week’s “Awesome Apps of the Week.”
In addition, we’ve got a great new version of The Sims for mobile, and two Google apps which have received big updates. Check out our selections below.
Navigate the world as Mario in Google Maps
You can navigate the world as Mario for a limited time inside Google Maps.
The awesome new feature, added to celebrate Mario Day on March 10, shows you driving along in Mario’s red kart — complete with familiar sound effects.