Apple Maps: Apple brings improved map service to Germany

Apple Maps
Apple brings improved map service to Germany

An Apple camera vehicle that takes pictures for the mapping service while driving in traffic. Photo: Andrei Sokolow/dpa

© dpa-infocom GmbH

The renewed map service of the iPhone group is now also available in this country. But initially the service is only available in a major German city.

Almost a year after the announcement, Apple is also introducing its improved map service in Germany. The new features include more details, right down to individual trees and traffic lights.

The photos of streets in the “Look Around” service – Apple’s answer to Google’s Street View – will initially only be available for Munich, as the iPhone group announced at the start.

Digital maps have become the basis for many applications, from a stepping stone for locating nearby shops and places to in-car navigation. Apple made the strategic decision more than a decade ago to set up its own map service instead of the Google maps initially used in the iPhone. After initial difficulties, the group invested heavily in the service and, among other things, also sent camera cars to German cities.

These images are not only used for the “look around” function, but also for improving the maps, including displaying speed limits and details such as zebra crossings. Another new feature are more specific navigation instructions such as “right after the next traffic light” instead of “right after 50 meters”. In shopping centers, the app should now not only lead to the parking garage, but also to the desired store. In several German cities, the map app will in future be able to access the iPhone camera in order to show directional arrows in the streetscape on the display for better orientation.

Apple presented the new version of the map service at the beginning of June last year at the WWDC developer conference. It has been available in eight countries so far, including the US, UK, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

dpa

source site-5