Apple Announces New iBooks and Maps Apps for OS X Mavericks

At today's WWDC keynote, Apple introduced a new Maps app for the Mac. The app, which is similar to the iOS version, supports Flyover and points of interest. Users can add directions and locations to their bookmarks, which can then be sent directly to the iPhone as the two apps are able to sync with one another.

The new Maps also allows for better system wide mapping integration. For example, the redesigned calendar app incorporates maps, allowing directions to meetings to be inserted directly into calendar events.

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Apple is also planning to bring iBooks to the Mac with a new dedicated app. On stage, Craig Federighi demoed textbooks in the new iBooks app on the Mac, showing full screen videos and demonstrating the note taking capabilities of the app.

The app incorporates study cards that are drawn from notes taken while reading, in order to facilitate better studying habits. Both of the new apps will be available with the release of OS X Mavericks. Mavericks will be available for developers today and will be released for the general public this fall.

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davidg4781

87 months ago

The most annoying part about it are the sheep that clapped about iBooks. Again, there is no reason why this shouldn't have been here all along.

Maybe that's why they clapped? I've been wanting it since I don't think I can stand reading a book on an iPhone long term. I hope reading on a 13" MBP will be pleasant.

Why does an operating system need Maps? If you have internet access surely you'd use Google Maps or something else that's reliable.

Apple fans that are wanting to stay in the Apple ecosystem. When I'm at home I've looked up stuff on Google Maps and then had to search again on Apple's Maps when I'm in my car. Being able to sit at home, plan my stuff, have it sync with iCal (Calendar??), then just push it all to my iPhone makes everything so much nicer. I'm not sure if you can do that with Google Maps, maybe if you have an Android device.

Rating: 8 Votes

flyguy206

87 months ago

Why does an operating system need Maps? If you have internet access surely you'd use Google Maps or something else that's reliable.

why not?

Rating: 5 Votes

GoCubsGo

87 months ago

The most annoying part about it are the sheep that clapped about iBooks. Again, there is no reason why this shouldn't have been here all along.

Rating: 4 Votes

Northgrove

87 months ago

Why does an operating system need Maps? If you have internet access surely you'd use Google Maps or something else that's reliable.

Deep OS integration. Apple aren't just interested in showing maps; they're interested in using this information throughout the OS. For example, the new Calendar integration that automatically shows you the travel distance by car or foot to whatever you've added in it. Or the new OS X feature to share the driving directions to someone's iPhone on the road via iCloud. Google Maps hasn't got a clue on how to do that.

While Google Maps does have a public API, I doubt they're willing to support the rather large user base of OS X with API access. It's not really the intention with it.

Because Apple now has an own map service, they're free to use it however they wish. We're only now starting to see the fruits of this effort; I'm sure there is more to come in the future. It's being used for non-obvious things too, such as the new automated "moments" display in iOS 7. It uses the geographic metadata to map the coordinates to locations in their map service (reverse geocoding).

Rating: 3 Votes

stormj

87 months ago

I sent a bitchy e-mail to Tim Cook quite some time ago complaining about the ridiculous situation where you could buy an iBook on a Mac, but not read it. There you go - he listened to me! Ha ha.

It's not in the first beta. Maps is. It's OK

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Well, obviously, they do have a clue as to how to do that; they already do that and more, just on Android devices. Android devices can not only send maps to phones, they do it automatically if you have Google Now, along with offering turn by turn navigation as soon as your phone starts moving. It's really already way beyond what Apple is offering.

Obviously, I'm a Google Maps fanboy...

Why is every other post on this thread one simultaneously bragging about a feature another company has and at the same time complaining that Apple added it?

Is there some rule that only the first person to have something can ever have it that I'm not aware of? Are we all patent trolls now?

Personally, I'm glad when Apple adds things that others have that are nice. No one (rational) is saying that Google doesn't have good stuff. And, please, it's not like everyone hasn't borrowed a thing or two from Apple....

Rating: 2 Votes

rtcruz1

87 months ago

What about Newsstand!

What about Newsstand? I'd like to read my mags on my macs too

Rating: 1 Votes

caf9128

87 months ago

Google Maps hasn't got a clue on how to do that.

.

Rating: 1 Votes

hexor

87 months ago

Why does an operating system need Maps? If you have internet access surely you'd use Google Maps or something else that's reliable.

You are completely missing the point. The biggest part is providing a Map SDK for developers. Right now there really is no native way to provide mapping solution for Mac OS X apps unless you use a Web View which does not provide nearly the same experience.

Rating: 1 Votes

SBlue1

87 months ago

Why does an operating system need Maps?

system integration. i check the route on my mac and send it to my phone. just as an example.

plus i hope it is faster than safari.

Rating: 1 Votes

needfx

87 months ago

Not that anyone asked, but a link to the wave desktop pic is:

http://images.apple.com/home/images/osx_hero.jpg

Coincidentally the 2560 x 1440 i need for my imac.

thanks, but I will be keeping my andromeda galaxy

Rating: 1 Votes

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