Apple Maps, the navigation service competing with Google Maps, has expanded its accessibility by launching a web version. Initially introduced in 2012 exclusively for Apple devices, Apple Maps offers comprehensive features such as walking and driving directions, along with user ratings and reviews.
Currently in beta phase, Apple Maps can now be accessed by visiting “beta.maps.apple.com” on any web browser. Similar to its iOS counterpart, users can explore city guides, gather information about businesses, and even place food orders.
However, features like Look Around will be gradually introduced in the upcoming months. Apple has stated that the web version of Maps supports English and functions smoothly on Safari and Chrome browsers for Mac and iPad users. Windows users can utilize Chrome and Microsoft Edge, but other browsers like Vivaldi display an error message indicating lack of support.
Apple plans to extend language support, browser compatibility, and platform availability in the future, although specific timelines have not been disclosed. Since its inception, Apple has continually enhanced Maps with new features such as detailed city maps, multi-stop routing, cycling directions, EV routing, and offline navigation.
Despite Google Maps’ dominance as a leading navigation service in India, several alternatives like MapMyIndia’s Mappls, Sygic, Waze, and others have emerged as viable options. Recently, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon’s collaborative open-source mapping initiative also unveiled its inaugural public dataset. This release provides mapping developers with unrestricted access to extensive data, including 2.3 billion distinct buildings, 54 million points of interest, and over 200 million addresses.
