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As expected, Apple has announced its own mapping solution for iOS 6, featuring real-time traffic conditions, turn-by-turn navigation,Yelp integration, vector graphics, and 3D flyovers. The new Mapsapp, due out this fall with iOS 6 , means the end of the Google Maps-powered app that iOS deviceshave used since 2007. For iOS users, this news comes not a moment too soon--many of thefeatures Apple announced Monday have been available on Google Mapsfor Android for years. Apple's break with Google means the iPhonemaker can finally offer significant improvements to Maps on iOSinstead of relying on a reluctant partner/competitor to bring newmaps features to Apple devices. If you have an iOS device, chances are the new Maps app will bearriving on your handset, since nearly every popular iOS device inuse today (with the exception of the original iPad) is getting iOS6. Apple introduced the new Maps app during the keynote address atthe company's Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC) in SanFrancisco. Here's how the new Apple-designed Maps app matches up to the oldGoogle-powered one. The New Stuff There are several new additions to the iOS Maps app, including avisual redesign that uses vector-based graphics instead of bitmapimages. Vector graphics are drawn by the device based on a set ofinstructions, instead of loaded from a remote server. This changemeans that it will be easier for users to pan across a map quickly,without having to wait for new map images to load every fewseconds. Google introduced vector graphics for Google Maps forAndroid in 2010. Apple has also integrated real-time traffic information andturn-by-turn navigation into its new Maps app. There are numerousthird-party apps on iOS that offer turn-by-turn navigation, buthaving a baked-in version is slowly becoming the standard. Nokiahas offered this option with its smartphones for some time, andGoogle added the capability for Android handsets in 2009 . The new Maps app will also include local information for more than100 million businesses worldwide at launch, as well as integratedYelp reviews. Apple first integrated Yelp information into theiPhone with the introduction of Siri on the iPhone 4S. Similar to the recently announced Google Maps overhaul , Apple's maps in iOS will be getting photo-realistic 3D flyoversfor major urban areas across the world. However, Google's 3Dflyovers are actual images, while Apple appears to be usingdetailed and lifelike computer-generated models. The Not-So-New Stuff As mentioned earlier, Apple will be offering local information formore than 100 million businesses worldwide. Maps for iOS alreadyoffers local information, but we'll have to wait for the finalproduct to see if the new Maps app matches up to the currentGoogle-powered local listings. Apple is also making a big deal about Siri integration with the newMaps app. The thing is, Siri was already integrated with Maps --allowing users to say things such as "show me the nearest coffeeshop," and see their results on a map. In iOS 6, however, whenusers ask Siri for directions to a coffee shop the Maps app willalso be able to supply turn-by-turn navigation, instead of justdirections. Google added voice command navigation in Google Maps for Android in 2010. The End of the Road Apple didn't come right out and say this, but it's a good bet thatGoogle's Street View feature will be gone in iOS 6. Maps will alsobe losing walking and transit directions, but Apple said during theWWDC keynote that it plans to incorporate third-party solutionsinto the Maps app for metro transit information. Connect with Ian Paul ( @ ianpaul ) on Twitter and Google +, and with Today@PCWorld on Twitter for the latest tech news and analysis. I am an expert from seamlesssteel-pipe.com, while we provides the quality product, such as Thin Walled Steel Tubing , Oil Gas Pipe, Cold Drawn Seamless Tube,and more.
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