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watchOS 2.2 adds Nearby search to Maps for Apple Watch

watchOS 2 Apple Watch Maps

The Maps app for the Apple Watch is set to receive a useful upgrade with new features with the upcoming watchOS 2.2 release. Currently in beta, the upcoming software update adds the Nearby search features in Apple Maps as well as quick navigation buttons for travel directions to home and work addresses.

In the current watchOS version, the Maps application launches to a view of your current location, then pressing the display firmly reveals buttons to access contact addresses, search, and toggling between transit and standard directions.

Starting with watchOS 2.2, Maps on Apple Watch has a whole new layer of actions. Just like Google Maps for Apple Watch, Apple’s Maps app now includes shortcuts to navigating to your home and work address from your current location. Search is also a more accessible button that doesn’t require Force Touch. The old Maps view can still be accessed through the My Location button beneath Search.

Finally, the useful Nearby feature introduced to Maps with iOS 9 in six countries including the US and Canada is now available on the Apple Watch starting with watchOS 2.2.

Maps Nearby Apple Watch

This feature works similarly to Yelp’s Apple Watch app (Yelp is a data provider here) and lets you choose between Food, Drinks, Shopping, Travel, Services, Fun, Health and Transport categories. Each section includes an additional list of more detailed categories followed by specific local businesses listed by distance with star ratings and business hours, contact information, directions, and location.

iOS 9’s Nearby feature in Maps also appeared in CarPlay with new beta software introduced this week. See our video hands-on for more details.

Aside from a revamped Maps app, watchOS 2.2 also allows iPhones to pair multiple Apple Watches simultaneously. The most recently unlocked and raised Apple Watch automatically becomes active with the paired iPhone.

For more on Apple’s latest software updates for each of its platforms, check out 9to5Mac’s coverage from this week:

The watchOS 2.2 update for Apple Watch is currently only available in beta. Public availability will likely accompany the iOS 9.3 release later this year.

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Comments

  1. Franco Grisafi - 8 years ago

    As a Restaurant owner I’d love to see Apple drop Yelp in favor of Trip Adviser. The problem with YELP is that anyone can write a review on a business. #yelpers

    • jrgibson1 - 8 years ago

      That’s no different to TripAdvisor.

    • Oflife - 8 years ago

      As a consumer, I find TripAdviser a spam machine. I signed up (big mistake!) and despite erasing the app and ‘Unsubscribing’ multiple times, still get daily emails. I think I represent most consumers when I say, enough is enough. We’re being bombarded with all manner of unsolicited junk even after checking the [X] Do not email me. checkboxes on signup forms etc.

    • JBDragon - 8 years ago

      I’m glad anyone can write a Yelp review!!! It’s easy enough to tell a good review from a bad review. Many businesses have their heads in the clouds and ignore what’s going on around them and think everything is GREAT when in reality it’s not. Who cares about Trip Adviser. I sure don’t. I’m sure it’s good for a business of your type. 1 review, a warning before the person shows up, and then go out of your way to do things that aren’t normally done. Ya, I can see why you would like that. I’d trust YELP far more.

      • paulmarvin1 - 8 years ago

        You are deluding yourself if you think Yelp is a fair assessment site, Yelp holds businesses hostage to join or suffer poor reviews ad infinitum.

    • tomlaceyjohnson - 8 years ago

      Isn’t that the point that anyone can write a review of your business?

  2. JBDragon - 8 years ago

    I am loving these new features that make my Apple Watch even better!!! What’s to come in WatchOS 3? That’s the big question as what’s coming in iOS 10. Reaching that milestone, you would think it’s a big change and turning point for iOS?!?!

Author

Avatar for Zac Hall Zac Hall

Zac covers Apple news, hosts the 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcast, and created SpaceExplored.com.