Apple has expanded navigation directions on its mapping service to additional markets. The company has been expanding the availability of various Maps features over the past year or so, unveiling new features to catch up to Google Maps. For example, Maps in 2020 has picked up junction view to help with the complex intersections. And with the iOS 14.5 update, Maps has gained Waze-like reporting of accidents, road hazards, speed traps, and more.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Turn-by-turn directions are now available in United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Meanwhile, cycling directions are now available in Portland and San Diego.
- To see which Maps features are available where you live, visit the Apple website.
Turn-by-turn directions in UAE
With turn-by-turn directions now live in UAE, customers will get detailed navigation instructions. The feature currently supports driving and walking directions in the county. Besides, people in UAE can now hail an Uber from within the Maps app.
MacRumors has more:
Still missing for users in the UAE is public transit information, lane guidance and speed limits, although given that the addition of turn-by-turn directions is part of an ongoing improvement to ‌Apple Maps‌, these are likely to follow.
Public transit routes and modes are currently unsupported for Apple Maps users in UAE.
Cycling directions in Portland and San Diego
Cycling directions, first introduced in iOS 14, have now expanded to San Diego, California and Portland, Oregon. With this feature, cyclists can use Maps to get directions with bike lanes, bike paths and bike-friendly roads using their iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch.
Bike riders can preview the elevation for their ride, check how busy a street is and set routes to avoid steep inclines or stairs. According to MacRumors, Apple sent out notifications to users in Portland and San Diego to inform them of the immediate availability of cycling directions.
Apple also sent out notifications in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York, London and Los Angeles, where the cycling directions were already available. The notifications may suggest an expansion of cycling direction availability in these locations.
Cycling directions are available in China, too.