Apple Maps launches web beta, more features soon
The web version supports English and works on Safari and Chrome for Mac and iPad.
Apple Maps is now accessible via web browsers through a beta version launched on Wednesday. Users can get driving and walking directions, view ratings and reviews, and use many of the same features available in the iOS app. The beta site, beta.maps.apple.com, allows users to explore cities, order food, and get business information. Apple plans to add more features, including Look Around, soon.
Currently, the web version supports English and works on Safari and Chrome for Mac and iPad, as well as Chrome and Edge on Windows PCs. Apple intends to expand support to other languages, browsers, and platforms. Developers using MapKit JS can link to the web version.
Since its 2012 iPhone debut, Apple Maps has gradually added features like detailed city maps, multi-stop routing, cycling directions, EV routing, and offline navigation. The web version represents a significant expansion and aims to compete with Google Maps, which has long been available on the web.
Meanwhile, the Overture Maps Foundation, supported by Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft, released its first mapping dataset on Wednesday. This dataset is available for developers to use in their apps, adding more competition to the digital mapping space.
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