nearby_heroApple has extended the 'Nearby' feature in its iOS Maps app to serve users in Japan, bringing access to local points of interest such as bars, restaurants, health services and shopping centers.

AppleInsider reports that 'Nearby' is now active across the country, despite Apple having not yet updated its Maps feature availability web page to reflect the change. Apple reportedly introduced 'Nearby' to Japanese customers last December, but soon pulled the feature for unknown reasons.

'Nearby' lets users search Apple Maps based on categories such as Food, Drinks, Shopping, Travel, Services, Fun, Health and Transport, while each category can be searched deeper for specific places.

Nearby categories such as Food, Fun, Shopping and Travel can also be accessed from the Spotlight Search menu on iOS 9.

The location-based feature first appeared on mobile devices in the U.S. and China with the release of iOS 9 in September. A month later, 'Nearby' was extended to Australia, Canada, France and Germany. Finland, Netherlands and the UK soon followed, making Japan the tenth country to receive the localized feature.

Related Forum: iOS 9

Top Rated Comments

allenvanhellen Avatar
126 months ago
Now if we could just get transit directions here in Japan.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
japanime Avatar
126 months ago
Now if we could just get transit directions here in Japan.
Absolutely. One of the things I want most from native iOS services. The third-party Japanese train apps with their in-app shakedowns are ridiculous.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Fzang Avatar
126 months ago
Ahhhh, now it makes sense. Didn't see this before.




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Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hollose Avatar
126 months ago
Strangely enough, this works for me as well in Denmark. Even though Denmark is not officially supported. Saw it first time 2 weeks ago in beta 6 and has been there since. Both in Siri suggestions and Maps search bar. And iPhone set to danish language and Denmark as location. Has not turned up on spouse´s and kids iPhones though, even after upgrading to 9.3.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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