Apple Maps to offer 3D city view and other new features with iOS 15 release

Pic Credit: Apple

With the release of iOS 15, Apple Maps got its most significant overhaul yet, with a city experience that includes rich details, improved navigation, immersive walking directions in augmented reality, and much more.

Apple's Maps app is slowly but steadily adding 3D city views. You can now pinch and zoom your way through a three-dimensional rendering of London starting today. As part of the iOS 15 release, Apple turned on the experience in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles last week.

By the end of the year, the feature will be available in Washington, DC, San Diego, and Philadelphia. Next year, Apple will launch 3D maps in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Apple Maps users, on the other hand, will be able to see more details for locations across the city, including their neighborhoods, business districts, marinas, buildings, and more, as well as elevation details, new road labels, and even custom-designed landmarks, according to the company.

Apple Maps, for example, will display models of famous places such as Coit Tower in San Francisco, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the Statue of Liberty in New York, and the Royal Albert Hall in London, with more to follow in the future.

Apple Maps will also have more clearly shown turn lanes, medians, bus and taxi lanes, and crosswalks, as well as improved road-level navigation. These are displayed in a 3D mode, making it easier to see which lane to take based on traffic circumstances or for better route planning. As with Google Maps, the app will provide an anticipated arrival time depending on current conditions. Apple claims that the app will soon provide enhanced navigation via CarPlay.

Apple Maps now includes more immersive walking directions that use augmented reality to provide step-by-step guidance. This allows users to scan the buildings in their neighbourhood with their phones, allowing Maps to create a more precise position and provide more precise recommendations. Over the course of the year, this has been implemented in a few markets.

In addition, iOS 15 users can view a new 3D globe of the earth and access curated Guides from firms like Time Out, The Washington Post, the National Park Foundation, Complex, and The Infatuation by tapping an Explore Guides button in the Apple Maps app. These will provide recommendations for things to do or see in various cities throughout the world. Users can also create their own guides to share with their friends and family.