MacPrime.ch notes that Apple has recently added three new locations to their Maps Flyover feature found in iOS.
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The new locations include Perth (Australia), Saint-Tropez (France) and Cordoba (Spain).
The 3D flyover features was introduced in iOS 6 and based on the technology of C3 Technologies which was acquired by Apple in 2011. Apple has been slowly expanding coverage since its launch and maintains a list of 3D-enabled locations on their website.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)would rather we got updated maps before bothering with 3d views even if it is really cool.
Agreed. These 3D maps look like the sun melted everything in its path (read: terrible) at a close enough distance, so they're useless beyond a quick virtual tour of a city.
This.
Over here in Tokyo, the road that's outside my place has been here for at least 60 years. Except in Apple Maps.We have a new subdivision going up. Homes started being built there probably back in September and there are probably 100 homes built now.
Apple maps do not show anything there.
Google maps are fully updated and show all the new homes and streets. I realize this is not in the areas mentioned in the OP but Apple maps are just bad.
At this rate, the new buildings they're finishing up across the street won't show up in Apple Maps before the beginning of the 22nd century.
If you're seeing enough distortion (after the first moments during loading) that Flyover isn't useful, then your experience is far different from mine. It's incredibly useful to me, seeing the shape of a building and it's surrounding approaches. Great for planning parking and being able to know in advance what you're looking for.
I always liked Google Street View for occasional uses like that, getting a feel for the surroundings of a new distination (what parking might be easiest, how tall the building is, etc.). I always assumed Flyover would be a mediocre second-best for that kind of thing, cool though it may be.
In reality, I find I launch Google Steet View about twice a year now (and am often disappointed by massive blurriness and lens flares when I try it). Whereas I use Flyover more than I ever used to use Street View.
Interesting. My experience has been pretty much the opposite. I've only used Flyover to show someone who doesn't have an iOS device what Flyover is about. It's neat for about 10 seconds. If I could fly, Flyover would be much more useful.
From a practical usage standpoint, I much prefer Google Street View. GSV shows me what to expect as I'm driving or walking to a destination. That's what I want because that's how I get to where I'm going.
To top it off, I've already noticed GSV images getting updated two or three times in the last three or four years. They're doing a heck of a lot of driving around; and they are now going over areas they've already covered to update their imagery. Any way you slice it, that's impressive. I love Apple and Apple products in general; but in the mapping department, they're way behind Google, in my opinion.