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Apple Maps

230 'Apple Maps' stories July 2013 - May 2026
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When the iPhone first launched, it was preloaded with Google Maps. In 2012, Apple replaced it with its own mapping application known as Apple Maps. It launched in beta in the iOS 6 beta, and was released to the public that fall.

After its launched, it was clear that it was no on the same level of quality as Google Maps. The poor launch led to a public apology from Tim Cook and ultimately led to the firing of Scott Forstall.

Apple Maps Features

Over the years, Apple has continued to adds features to Apple Maps. iOS 11 brought lane guidance and a speed limit widget on the navigation, and indoor location mapping.

Apple has also added proactive location suggestions (time to get home when you are leaving work, etc), integration with public transit, Yelp integration, and integration with ride sharing services like Lyft and Uber.

With iOS 12, Apple has proclaimed they are rebuilding Maps from the ground up.

Maps is being rebuilt from the ground up to better reflect the world around you. The new underlying map uses Apple data and features enhanced geographic context like pedestrian paths and parks, more detailed building outlines and parking lots, better road network coverage, and more. You’ll also be able to get where you’re going with improved routes, whether you’re on the road or on foot. The new Maps is now available in Northern California and is coming soon to the rest of the United States.

While the general consensus is that Google Maps offers more accurate data and navigation, Apple Maps is widely considered to be the most used mapping application in the world since it’s built into every iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Supreme Court considering legality of smartphone location ‘dragnets’

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Apr 29 2026 - 5:49 am PT
6 Comments
Supreme Court (pictured) considering legality of smartphone location 'dragnets'

The US Supreme Court is hearing arguments about the legality of so-called geofence warrants, sometimes also referred to as “digital dragnets” because they capture the location data of a great many innocent citizens in addition to criminal suspects.

In a practice raising obvious privacy concerns, tech giants are increasingly being asked by law enforcement to identify all of the smartphone users present at a particular location at the time a crime was committed …

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Ads are coming to Apple Maps in the US and Canada this summer with a privacy-centric focus

Avatar for Bradley C Mar 24 2026 - 8:00 am PT
11 Comments
Apple Maps ads

Coming this summer to the US and Canada, Apple is officially bringing ads to Apple Maps. As part of the broader rollout of the new Apple Business platform, the company announced today that businesses in the US and Canada will be able to place local ads within the Maps app while gaining new tools to measure analytics and manage their brand presence across the Apple ecosystem.

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Apple Maps gets a ‘Chief of War’ tour guide with spots in Hawai’i and New Zealand

Avatar for Marcus Mendes Sep 8 2025 - 4:05 pm PT
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If you’ve been watching Chief of War on Apple TV+ and you’re anything like me, you probably spend quite a good amount of time of each episode marveling at the fantastic landscapes.

Now, thanks to a new Apple Maps guide, you can take a virtual tour, or plan actual visits, to the parks, beaches, campgrounds, and even historic palaces featured in the show. Here’s how.

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