Apple launches 3D maps

Apple has launched 3D map viewings for four major cities.
Apple has launched 3D map viewings for four major cities.

Apple maps will get a notable upgrade in iOS 15. Users will now be able to access 3D rendering of four major Western cities, over more details, driving routes and better navigation. The first cities included in this update are London, Los Angeles, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with more to be added soon.

“We are thrilled to offer the new Apple Maps experience. Maps is the best way to navigate the world: It is easy to use, beautifully designed, and built with privacy at its core. With this update, we are pushing Maps even further, providing more ways for users to discover the natural beauty of the world and explore cities through a new 3D view,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “Our goal has always been to build the best and most accurate map in the world. The upgrades in Apple Maps are a continuation of that effort, with features and an attention to detail that only Apple can deliver.”

An enhanced travel experience 

Maps will now have enhanced navigation, providing users with more details clearly, such as turn lanes, medians, bus and taxi lanes, and crosswalks. In addition, the 3D view will assist in making sections that cross over easier to view.

For those who take public transport, Maps now displays nearby stations at the top of the screen. Users can also pin their regular lines in Maps to ensure that their prefered route is as accessible to search as possible. 

Enter AR 

Apple Maps now offers step-by-step walking guidance in AR. Users can do this by raising their iPhones to scan buildings in the area. Maps will then generate detailed directions based on real-world imaging.

Other useful features of maps

Apple Maps offers many useful features in addition to the new updates available in iOS 15:

Look Around 

Look around offers users a way to explore parts of the world through an interactive 3D street-level experience and a smooth, seamless 360-degree view. 

Cycling directions

Cycling directors shows the elevation for a ride, and how busy a street is. It can also show whether there are stairs along a route. 

Speed cameras 

Maps can let users know when approaching speed and red-light cameras along a route, with the added ability to see where cameras are located on the map.

Share ETA 

Users can share their estimated time of arrival with others. 

READ MORE:

Incident reports 

Users can report accidents by informing Siri. For example: “There’s an accident up ahead” or “There is something on the road.” Users can also report when a reported incident has been cleared.

Flyover

With flyover, users can see major metro areas with photo-realistic views.

Favorites

Users can save favourite and regularly used locations.

Indoor Maps 

Users can navigate large indoor spaces such as airports and malls to discover what floor they’re on, and locate stores.

For more news from Top Business Tech, don’t forget to subscribe to our daily bulletin!

Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter

Amber Donovan-Stevens

Amber is a Content Editor at Top Business Tech

Birmingham Unveils the UK’s Best Emerging HealthTech Advances

Kosta Mavroulakis • 03rd April 2025

The National HealthTech Series hosted its latest event in Birmingham this month, showcasing innovative startups driving advanced health technology, including AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable devices and revolutionary educational tools for healthcare professionals. Health stakeholders drawn from the NHS, universities, industry and front-line patient care met with new and emerging businesses to define the future trajectory of...

Why DEIB is Imperative to Tech’s Future

Hadas Almog from AppsFlyer • 17th March 2025

We’ve been seeing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives being cut time and time again throughout the tech industry. DEIB dedicated roles have been eliminated, employee resource groups have lost funding, and initiatives once considered crucial have been deprioritised in favour of “more immediate business needs.” The justification for these cuts is often the...

The need to eradicate platform dependence

Sue Azari • 10th March 2025

The advertising industry is undergoing a seismic shift. Connected TV (CTV), Retail Media Networks (RMNs), and omnichannel strategies are rapidly redefining how brands engage with consumers. As digital privacy regulations evolve and platform dynamics shift, advertisers must recognise a fundamental truth. You cannot build a sustainable business on borrowed ground. The recent uncertainty surrounding TikTok...

The need to clean data for effective insight

David Sheldrake • 05th March 2025

There is more data today than ever before. In fact, the total amount of data created, captured, copied, and consumed globally has now reached an incredible 149 zettabytes. The growth of the big mountain is not expected to slow down, either, with it expected to reach almost 400 zettabytes within the next three years. Whilst...

What can be done to democratize VDI?

Dennis Damen • 05th March 2025

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) offers businesses enhanced security, scalability, and compliance, yet it remains a niche technology. One of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption is a severe talent gap. Many IT professionals lack hands-on VDI experience, as their careers begin with physical machines and increasingly shift toward cloud-based services. This shortage has created a...

Tech and Business Outlook: US Confident, European Sentiment Mixed

Viva Technology • 11th February 2025

The VivaTech Confidence Barometer, now in its second edition, reveals strong confidence among tech executives regarding the impact of emerging technologies on business competitiveness, particularly AI, which is expected to have the most significant impact in the near future. Surveying tech leaders from Europe and North America, 81% recognize their companies as competitive internationally, with...