Google Maps for iOS Gains Quick-Access Traffic, Transit, and Local Info Tabs

Friday February 16, 2018 4:17 AM PST by Tim Hardwick
Google has updated its iOS Maps app with three new quick-access options that Android users have had access to for over a year now. The new tabs sit across the bottom of the home screen and are called Explore, Driving, and Transit.



Swiping up on the shortcuts reveals further details. For example, in Explore users can find a description of the local area, dining choices, and options to search for gas stations, ATMs, convenience stores, drug stores, and other amenities.

The driving tab provides a traffic summary for the area, including information on possible delays that might add time onto a commute. This tab will also include current ETAs for the user's home and work addresses if they are saved in the app's settings. Finally, the transit tab offers estimated bus and train schedules at stations in the vicinity.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tags: Google, Google Maps
30 comments

Top Rated Comments

(View all)
Avatar
Aluminum213
26 months ago
Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.
Rating: 11 Votes
Avatar
ILikeAllOS
26 months ago

Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.

Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.
Rating: 9 Votes
Avatar
69Mustang
26 months ago

Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.

Imagine a world where one realized that default app choice has nothing to do with whether or not Apple has their own Maps app baked into iOS.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
rrahimi
26 months ago

Imagine a world in which you have to wait a year for a company to update that 3rd party maps app and then you'll realize why Apple has their own Maps app baked into the iOS system.


That has nothing to do with the comment you responded too though. I guess you had to twist the argument because there is no good answer to the actual ask which is letting users choose the default, be it Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze or whatever.
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
heov
26 months ago
Apple is being stretched too thin. They have too many products and services now, and some of them are suffering... like Maps and Siri.

In 20 years, at this rate, theyll be like Samsung in the sense they'll probably have fridges and appliances in addition to consumer electronics.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
mdelvecchio
26 months ago

Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.

give me a break. neither siri nor Maps are trash. ive been using them exclusively for years and somehow have managed to thrive
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
HobeSoundDarryl
26 months ago

Prepare for the backlash. Some people have the opinion that Apple Maps is leaps and bounds better than Google Maps.


Right. Imagine Apple deciding to box Air. An awful lot of guys would subsequently smother to death in lieu of breathing that inferior non-Apple air if they happened to run out.;)
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
bjoswald
26 months ago

Prepare for the backlash. Some people have the opinion that Apple Maps is leaps and bounds better than Google Maps.


I prefer Apple Maps because it’s clean, simple, and works. Not saying the competition sucks, but I believe there’s nothing wrong with the default if you’re happy with it.
[doublepost=1518790645][/doublepost]

Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.


Siri definitely needs a little love.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
gwhizkids
26 months ago
Wow, a lot of "Apple Maps Suck" people here. For my part, I concede that it lacks some of the bells and whistles of Google Maps but not so much that I would reject Apple Maps. It does what I need it to do and seems more or less indistinguishable from Google Maps at this point.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
DeepIn2U
26 months ago

Imagine a world in which Apple allowed us to use Google Maps as a default map service on iOS. Instead of the harsh reality of being stuck with trash like Siri and Apple Maps as being the ones that are baked into the iOS system.


Personally I like Apple Maps.

Transit for Toronto, linking to Calendar meetings/appointments with the ability to alarm before 'travel time' is critical to me. I cannot get that with Google Maps on iOS and I'd rather NOT have my travels sold out. Sorry I'm my own pimp, not pimped out for free (location, routing, and other data). I prefer the cleaner UI layout.

Yes Google Maps has more accurate data for addresses by search. Funny enough there are a LOT of places with Street View, here in Toronto, that haven't been updated in years.

I'm curious if Apple uses Satellite camera imaging for Fly-Over for more accurate proper/address views? (several days vs weeks/months for a car to be driven by). It' all about convenience, features and benefits.
Rating: 1 Votes
[ Read All Comments ]