Maps is the name of the GPS app which is built into iOS devices, such as
the iPhone and iPad. Apparently, in iOS9, which is likely out in
September, Apple may be introducing transit information for users taking
buses and subways. This will be wonderful for both blind and sighted
users alike. Here’s the article from 9to5 Mac …
Apple readies Transit subway, train + bus guides for iOS 9 Maps, deploys
robots for indoor mapping
Maps Transit
Having originally planned to add a new transit directions feature to
Maps last year, only to pull the feature before WWDC 2014, Apple now
hopes to launch its Transit service with iOS 9, according to sources.
Apple currently plans to debut bus, subway, and train route navigation
as the central upgrade to the Maps app in iOS 9 at WWDC, using a user
interface similar to the one intended for last fall’s launch, as
depicted in the screenshots above…
The Transit directions service would allow iPhone users to navigate mass
transit via the official Apple Maps application for the first time since
Apple removed Google as iOS’s official provider of map data. Sources
said last year that the transit functionality for Maps includes larger
icons for users to more quickly spot airports, subway stations, and
train stations within the Maps app. In addition to the main
functionality, there is also a trip planning feature for transit, and a
new Transit view alongside the existing Standard, Hybrid, and
Satellite/Flyover views.
Due to personnel issues, data inconsistencies, and coverage for only a
small subset of Apple’s major markets, Apple decided to pull transit
functionality from iOS 8 very late into development, sources indicate.
The feature was apparently present in internal iOS 8 betas well into the
summer of 2014, despite the lack of an announcement at last year’s
Worldwide Developers Conference. Since that time, however, Apple has
refined the data, added new cities, and developed a new push
notifications system that will notify users as new cities gain support.
In addition to refining its transit mapping service, Apple has also been
making headway on its indoor mapping project. Apple intends to update
iOS Maps to help users navigate major buildings, offices, and landmarks.
While the feature may not go live this year, sources tell us that Apple
is already mapping out its own offices in Cupertino. The company has let
loose autonomous robots with iBeacon sensors, similar in size to
iRobot’s Roomba vacuum cleaners, to collect data for its indoor mapping
project. This comes in addition to its new van-based project to map out
high-resolution street view footage.
Yesterday, we reported that iOS 9 will also include the new San
Francisco font from the Apple Watch and potentially a new Home app to
control HomeKit devices.
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