Google Maps is a widely used web mapping service for good reasons.
From the way it offers satellite imagery, aerial photography, street maps, real-time traffic conditions, route planning for traveling by foot, car, bicycle, and public transportation, and even indoor maps for large buildings, Google Maps is continuously evolving. With a vast community and its ubiquitous presence, it managed to remain a dominant.
There are lots of rivals though, and some are can be great alternatives.
While the margin to keep up with Google Maps is still huge, Apple Maps has proven itself more than capable.
This is because Apple is bringing its Apple Maps to the web for the first time.
In the announcement, the company said that users can now access Apple Maps on the web using Safari and Chrome on Mac and iPad, as well as Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs.
"Now, users can get driving and walking directions; find great places and useful information including photos, hours, ratings, and reviews; take actions like ordering food directly from the Maps place card; and browse curated Guides to discover places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the world. Additional features, including Look Around, will be available in the coming months."
Users can also switch between Standard, Hybrid, and Satellite map types, and click anywhere to drop a pin and view that location’s address and other information.
Initially in beta, Apple plans to keep adding more features in the future.
"Support for additional languages, browsers, and platforms will be expanded over time," added Apple.
And in order for a wide adoption, Apple also makes it easy for developers to link out Maps on the web.
The company explained that those that use MapKit JS, can easily have their users get driving directions, see detailed place information, and more.
This is the first time an official version of Apple Maps has been accessible outside of Apple's ecosystem, in which people can finally access it without having to have an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or Mac devices.
At this time, Google Maps remains a dominant player due to its extensive features, data accuracy, and continuous innovation.
However, the competition is fierce, with each rival offering unique strengths that cater to specific user needs and preferences.
The ongoing advancements and specialization in features ensure that the mapping and navigation space remains dynamic and competitive.