On the afternoon of 24th of July 2024, one of the most anticipated moves made by Apple Maps by launching the web beta version itself. Now with its web version, users can directly get access to the features offered by Apple Maps. These features can facilitate users in getting to know directions while walking and driving, exploring various dine-in places, searching for addresses, displaying ratings and user’s views, allowing sharing locations via links, and compatibility with multiple browsers such as Chrome and Safari but on Mac and iPad only. More features are yet to be introduced in upcoming months such as Look Around which is similar to Google Street View. It is also expected that with further updates in the future, it may show support for various languages, platforms, and browsers. As of now, only the language supported by the web version is English. 

In addition, developers using Apple’s MapKit JS tool can integrate Apple Maps in their websites and web applications. These features allow developers to access the Apple Maps directly for a seamless experience. Before its launch, developers could only create maps for a few sites via the utilization of Apple API. However, it wouldn’t offer official Apple Maps experience. Therefore, it is considered a huge expansion that it is now available officially. 

Apple Maps was first launched in 2012 on the iPhone and since then it has been working on improving its functionality and usefulness. By introducing new features with time, Apple Maps has successfully provided a user-friendly navigation service with the help of the following features: The ability to plan routes with multiple destinations and stops, offline availability, optimized routes for electric vehicles, the ability to suggest appropriate directions for cyclists by taking into account traffic condition, and knowledge of lanes. These updates along with the launch of its web version, have helped Apple Maps surpass Google Maps in terms of services offered. 

Despite its exceptional services, it can’t be concluded that the competition is over as other mapping services are also working toward their official launch. It’s been circulating that those mapping services have made their application data freely available including road networks along with other geographic details, thereby allowing developers to integrate it into their websites. Therefore, for Google Maps and Apple Maps, the competition is yet to arrive.