Apple Maps, is coming dangerously close to having the existing capabilities of Waze, Google’s traffic app, and even Google Maps, by launching features to report hazards, incidents, and speed traps as warnings to other drivers.
For now, these functions are currently in the new beta version of iOS 14.5 and are expected to reach all users in the coming spring with the final release. And thus, Apple wants to position Apple Maps as the alternative to Google Maps on iOS mobile devices.
Users will be able to set up these reports either through the app interface, by tapping the report button, available at the top, or by voice commands via Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, or also via CarPlay.
Meanwhile Google has been bringing functions analogous to those of Waze to Google Maps, and there is currently a blurred line between the two applications, given the similarity between the two.
In the case of Google Maps, it is also possible to report incidents, hazards, and controls, both through the user interface and through voice commands via the Google Assistant.
It is also noteworthy that Apple has changed its mind about enabling users to report police checkpoints that they may encounter along their routes.
And in addition to being able to set up new reports, users also can update existing reports in the same ways.
For obvious reasons, the capabilities of Apple Maps are still somewhat limited concerning those available in Google Maps, so it will be a matter of users evaluating possibilities to opt for one application or another for their journeys.
In any case, it is an interesting move now brought by Apple, competing directly with the possibilities offered by Google applications, which could seriously damage the current status of Waze and Google Maps on iOS.
