(*edit - R Bala*)
AFTER existing for more than 10 years in the form of an app, Apple Maps has finally made the jump to internet browsers as the tech company has launched an open beta version on July 24.
Due to it being in a beta stage, Apple Maps on the web is relatively simple, especially compared to the web version of Google Maps.
Upon testing the beta version to the latter, theSun found the lack of features to be quite obvious and abundant, like getting directions. On Apple Maps, only transportation via car and walking directions are provided. There are no direction options provided for two-wheelers and public transportation.
Other quality of life features that are missing include the option to see live and predictive traffic density, along with the option to filter/highlight services such as restaurants, hotels, gas stations etc.
For now, the similarities between Apple Maps on the web and its competitor is the most barebone of features. For example, looking up restaurants only allows users to read reviews, which are automatically drawn from either Tripadvisor or Foursquare.
A lot of the features and options on its more comprehensive app counterpart have yet to be integrated into its web version. Additional features, like Look Around, will become available in the coming months according to Apple.
Available through beta.maps.apple.com, the web version of Apple Maps is only available in English and is compatible with Safari and Chrome browsers on Mac and iPad, along with Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs.
The company also plans to roll out support for other languages, browsers and platforms in the future.
Following the launch of the Apple Maps app on the iPhone back in 2012, Apple gradually improved and upgraded the service by adding new features over the years, such as detailed city maps, multi-stop routing, cycling directions, EV routing and offline navigation. –by Mark Mathen Victor
