Apple's Maps app rebuild continues apace this week, with the company following its pattern of rolling out the enhanced maps in adjacent continental U.S. states.

updated apple maps north east us
Last week we reported that revamped Maps had become available across Texas, Louisiana, and the southern half of Mississippi.

Now the rollout is creeping up the northeast United States, taking in the likes of Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine.

You can spot the updated regions by looking for more landscape details like sports fields, parking lots, ground cover, foliage, pools, pedestrian pathways and the like.

The data is gathered by Apple's own fleet of sensor- and camera-equipped vehicles, as well as first-party data gathered from iPhones using Apple's differential privacy. The combined data is also being made to ensure search results are more relevant.

The improvements initially rolled out in Northern California in July 2018, followed by Hawaii and Southern California in November 2018, and Arizona, New Mexico, and the Las Vegas metropolitan area in April 2019.

At WWDC 2019, Apple said the updated maps will roll out to the entire United States by the end of the year, followed by additional countries in 2020.

(Thanks, Erik!)

Top Rated Comments

truthertech Avatar
77 months ago
Meanwhile, most of the world still misses basic transit information in Apple Maps :(
Well over billion, maybe two billion people are now in areas covered by Apple Maps Transit. Yes, it can be frustrating that it is taking longer than Google did, but Apple decided to avoid the issues that have plagued Google transit. Google decided simply to import all the generic data from the different systems, which obviously Apple could have done and simply turned it on everywhere quickly. Instead, like Look Around being much better than Street View, Apple decided it wanted its customers to have a much better experience. Thus, they are customizing each transit region in the world, which requires much more time and much more expense, e.g., sending teams to each region. Here's a great article that explains the very different approach than Google that Apple chose .

https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/07/07/why-apples-transit-maps-are-rolling-out-so-slowly
[doublepost=1565700697][/doublepost]
So realistically I am looking at 2021/22 before this has a fighting chance of replacing Google maps for me in the UK.
No, Apple has already done the UK, so you should be good to go in 2020.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MozMan68 Avatar
77 months ago
Sadly, I have to rely on Google Maps. Apple Maps is so far behind when it comes to up-to-the-minute traffic conditions. When Apple Maps catches up, I’ll be happy to delete my last Google app.
Really? So far behind? How so? Many articles have shown that Apple is as good or better than Google when it comes to traffic information. Most complaints come from people being used to seeing the "green" lines and feel better believing there is no traffic there versus Apple's choice to only show traffic, not the lack of it. Google also chooses to show traffic at nearly every traffic light. It's a UI choice, not a true representation of traffic at all times.

Meanwhile, most of the world still misses basic transit information in Apple Maps :(
Define "most of the world". Apple has taken the approach to work with local transit companies to get the exact data. There have been many recent articles written on the integration of actual bus and train positions within Apple Maps that you will not see as much in Google or other transit apps. The spread of updated transit info across Europe in particular has been frequent over the past 2 months.

So realistically I am looking at 2021/22 before this has a fighting chance of replacing Google maps for me in the UK.
And with this comment, we have all the standard "I guess I won't see it until 'insert far off date' in my 'insert country'" comments out of the way.

Apple spent almost 5 years working on the program for their mapping...not the actual mapping. You can see from the data right in the new areas that it was collected within the past year. Knowing this and that Apple cars have been in the UK as early as late 2018, it would make more sense to assume that the UK will show up as early as the first half of 2020.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SidricTheViking Avatar
77 months ago
This is a dumb question. How do I view a street view with Apple maps?
An Apple maps vehicle drove by and I waved. :p
Can’t say for sure, but it’s probable that these countries will have Look Around next year (after the US gets it later this year): Canada, Portugal, Spain, Germany, China, Italy, the UK, Ireland, Puerto Rico and San Marino.
From Apple’s website:
https://mwp14.ls.apple.com/imagecollection/

Go to San Francisco (and other parts of California) on Apple Maps right now on any device running iOS 13 / iPad OS and you can see how good Look Around is. It’s really impressive.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MozMan68 Avatar
77 months ago
I'd like to know how Apple gathers their traffic data. Could you provide link to any of these articles? I trust the data they show me without knowing where it's coming from.
It's identical to Google with one exception:
* Phone data - Every iPhone ships with the ability to track phone movement for traffic data unless turned off by the user. It's not the easiest thing to find, so almost all iPhones track movement. Yes, anonymously, but sending traffic data nonetheless.
* Traffic authorities - Where available (most major cities) Apple, like Google, gets traffic from transportation agencies including lane/road closures so they may be integrated into the map.
* Traffic history - This is a Google exclusive (sort of like their graphs showing when businesses are "busy"). They use an algorithm that predicts traffic based on past history. This is why Google has chosen to go the route of the "green/yellow/red" on their map. It is expected that Apple is heading down this route as well since they will own the data in the new areas, but has yet to have been confirmed (the prediction of traffic, not adding green to "no traffic" areas)

I've copied the articles so many times, I'm sick of it. Just do a web search. Apple has been shown to give the same or more accurate ETA's than Google or Waze.

At the end of the day, most people will choose their app based on GUI and integration with other apps or specific data they may provide that other apps don't (police alerts, bicycle routes, etc.). I HATE the way Waze looks/works, but when I was commuting, I used it religiously since I like to drive way over the speed limit. Three years ago, I used Apple maps for routing, but always double-checked POI's with Google since the data simply wasn't there yet with Apple. I've used Apple Maps only for the past 2 years without major issues with Google and Waze running in the background (I travel a LOT) just to test them in different areas of the United States. In my experience, whether it is a 15 minute drive or a 12 hour drive, Apple has always had a more accurate ETA from the start than Google or Waze (I gave up on HERE when I stopped traveling to Europe).

I am definitely more of an Apple defender than most, but living in the USA helps with that as well as the fact that my preference for the Maps UI blows away Google and Waze...my opinion. I like the way it looks, shows the data, I love CarPlay, etc. It's good to have choices.
[doublepost=1565703693][/doublepost]
Well, referring to Europe, for example, transits are missing for Germany, France, Italy, Spain (apart from the capitals) so the bulk of the continent. And I am not sure about the 2 months thing...last addition in Europe according to MacRumors is Scandinavia in January.

To be clear, I am not complaining and I know the reasons. I am just sad because I'd really like to ditch Google and I love how transit is implemented by Apple.
Check the AppleMaps thread on Reddit. There has been a post nearly every week with updates across Italy, Germany, France, Austria?
[doublepost=1565703771][/doublepost]
You’re funny. You’re saying I should believe “many articles” rather than my own two eyes.

Keep shilling, my friend. Maybe some day Tim Cook will show up at your door and offer you some bran muffins for your unpaid, unsolicited efforts.
You're correct...I should just take your "so far behind" opinion as gospel. noted.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tom5304 Avatar
77 months ago
Sadly, I have to rely on Google Maps. Apple Maps is so far behind when it comes to up-to-the-minute traffic conditions. When Apple Maps catches up, I’ll be happy to delete my last Google app.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MozMan68 Avatar
77 months ago
I'll check. But then it's not my fault if Apple doesn't update its website:

https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#maps-transit
Yeah...They do not seem to tout Map changes...for good reason.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Lower Logo Feature 1

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Monday June 30, 2025 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than three months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max in September this year. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an...
A18 Pro Chip

New MacBook With A18 Pro Chip Spotted in Apple Code

Monday June 30, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
Apple is developing a MacBook with the A18 Pro chip, according to findings in backend code uncovered by MacRumors. Earlier today, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip. The machine is expected to feature a 13-inch display, the A18 Pro chip, and color options that include silver, blue, pink, and yellow. MacRumors...
iPhone Car Key WWDC 2025

Apple Announces 13 Automakers Planning to Offer iPhone Car Keys

Friday June 27, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. During its WWDC 2025 keynote, Apple said that 13...
maxresdefault

Five Features Coming to AirPods Pro 3

Friday June 27, 2025 10:52 am PDT by
Apple hasn't updated the AirPods Pro since 2022, and the earbuds are due for a refresh. We're counting on a new model this year, and we've seen several hints of new AirPods tucked away in Apple's code. Rumors suggest that Apple has some exciting new features planned that will make it worthwhile to upgrade to the latest model. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Heal...
macbook air spacegray purple

Apple Planning to Launch Low-Cost MacBook Powered By iPhone Chip

Monday June 30, 2025 3:20 am PDT by
Apple is planning to launch a low-cost MacBook powered by an iPhone chip, according to Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In an article published on X, Kuo explained that the device will feature a 13-inch display and the A18 Pro chip, making it the first Mac powered by an iPhone chip. The A18 Pro chip debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro last year. To date, all Apple silicon Macs have contained M-series...
anker power bank recall

PSA: Anker Recalls Multiple Power Banks Due to Fire Risk

Friday June 27, 2025 4:16 pm PDT by
Popular accessory maker Anker this month launched two separate recalls for its power banks, some of which may be a fire risk. The first recall affects Anker PowerCore 10000 Power Banks sold between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022 in the United States. Anker says that these power banks have a "potential issue" with the battery inside, which can lead to overheating, melting of plastic...
Chase Sapphire Reserve Apple Perk Feature

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Introduces New Perk for Apple Customers

Wednesday June 25, 2025 2:08 pm PDT by
Chase this week announced a series of new perks for its premium Sapphire Reserve credit card, and one of them is for a pair of Apple services. Specifically, the credit card now offers complimentary annual subscriptions to Apple TV+ and Apple Music, a value of up to $250 per year. If you are already paying for Apple TV+ and/or Apple Music directly through Apple, those subscriptions will...
replay all time playlist apple music

Apple Music Debuts All-New Personalized Playlist

Monday June 30, 2025 7:16 am PDT by
As part of its 10-year celebrations of Apple Music, Apple today released an all-new personalized playlist that collates your entire listening history. The playlist, called "Replay All Time," expands on Apple Music's existing Replay features. Previously, users could only see their top songs for each individual calendar year that they've been subscribed to Apple Music, but now, Replay All...