Apple Maps Revamped with 3D Map Navigation in iOS 15

With its latest version of Apple Maps, Apple has made perhaps its strongest push since the launch of the app to dethrone Google Maps from its perch atop the App Store rankings.

Available now via the iOS 15 update, Apple Maps now includes highly-detailed 3D maps, an AR mode for walking navigation, and enhanced driving navigation.

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"We are thrilled to offer the new Apple Maps experience," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, in a statement. "Our goal has always been to build the best and most accurate map in the world. The upgrades in Apple Maps are a continuation of that effort, with features and an attention to detail that only Apple can deliver."

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

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At present, these features are limited to London, Los Angeles, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with Philadelphia, San Diego, and Washington, D.C. coming online later this year and additional cities, including Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, arriving next year.

While you'll need to be in one of the supported cities to enjoy the navigation features, you can explore 3D maps of the supported cities from the comfort of your own home.

Try searching for iconic locations like Dodgers Stadium and the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, Times Square and Empire State Building in New York, and Elizabeth Tower and Buckingham Palace in London. Landmarks in these cities are represented via "custom-designed" artwork.

If you compare the new 3D maps to what Google Maps already has, and the difference is stunningly tilted in Apple's favor.

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks

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Despite embedding Maps as a stock app in iOS, Google still holds the top two positions in the navigation category of the App Store with Google Maps and Waze, with Google Maps also ranking among the top 10 free apps overall.

After a rough launch that found Apple CEO Tim Cook offering a letter of apology to iPhone users, Apple may have given its customers the green light to uninstall Google Maps.

Cover image by Tommy Palladino/Gadget Hacks