iPhone's Popularity Expands: Apple's Once Exclusive App Makes Debut on Android Platform
Apple Maps, the tech giant's mapping service, is now available on smartphones with operating systems other than just iOS. The web version of the app, accessible via modern browsers, enables cross-platform access on Android phones and Windows PCs. However, the web app currently lags behind the native iOS and macOS apps in terms of features and functionality.
Current Limitations
The current limitations of the Apple Maps web version include a lack of offline map support, the inability to log in with an Apple ID, and fewer features compared to the native apps. Some features that are available in the iPhone app, such as real-time traffic data, the 3D mode for building views, and sign-in with an Apple ID, are missing from the mobile web version.
Future Plans
Apple has plans to continually upgrade the features of Apple Maps. One such upgrade is the introduction of AI-powered natural language search, which allows users to search conversationally, such as "find cafes with free Wi-Fi". The company is also working on improving map data, expanding detailed city experiences, and enhancing geographic detail, routes, and integration of multi-stop routing, transit payment, and developer features like MapKit.
Platform Support
While the web version of Apple Maps is currently available on modern browsers, enabling cross-platform access, Apple has plans to further improve cross-platform support and aim for feature parity between the web and native apps.
User Interaction
The web version of Apple Maps lacks full integration with the Apple ecosystem. However, Apple plans to enhance developer tools and AI-driven features to improve user interaction.
Navigation and Location Services
Whether navigation instructions for car journeys will be possible directly via the mobile browser is not yet known. Users who want to save or sync places need to use the classic app.
Release and Availability
The web version of Apple Maps was previously in a test phase (beta) and was only accessible on computers and tablets. It was officially released on April 11, 2025, and can now be accessed via maps.apple.com on all mobile devices. The release was announced on Twitter with the hashtags #Apple and #iOS18.
In summary, the release of the web version of Apple Maps marks a significant expansion of one of Apple's core applications. While it brings new possibilities, it also comes with some limitations compared to the fully featured native apps on Apple platforms. Tim Cook is betting heavily on this new service, and Apple plans to expand the web version of Apple Maps in the future with additional features and broader platform support.
Read also:
- EA Relies on Madden and Battlefield to Drive Microtransactions Recovery
- Expense for Creating a Digital Platform for Fantasy Sports
- Honda unveils blueprint for design, advanced driver assistance systems, electric vehicles, fuel efficiency, and technology development
- Web3 Esports undergoes transformation as Aylab and CreataChain collaborate for a radical change
