Apple Maps web version rolls out to challenge Google Maps

Early this week, Apple announced its web version of Maps in beta, meaning users will soon be able to access it using their desktops or laptop browsers. The development puts it in direct competition with Google Maps, which has been available for web users for a while now.

While Apple has only rolled out the beta version, users can get driving and walking directions and can even view ratings or reviews by using Apple Maps web.

Apple Maps web version: What's new?

The web version of Apple Maps can be accessed by navigating to beta.maps.apple.com. It will typically allow you to do everything you can otherwise access on the iOS version of the app. Users can look up places, navigate, explore places, and also get information about businesses if required.

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While the features may seem limited at this moment, Apple mentions how it plans to bring in additional features like ‘Look Around’ to the platform sometime soon. The tool will essentially display a 360-degree panoramic view, which will mirror Google’s Street View feature.

When will the Apple Maps web version be available for everyone?

For now, Apple Maps on the web is only available in beta and English. Apple mentions that it will be compatible with Safari and Chrome for iPad, as well as Mac users. If you’re a Windows PC user, you can access Apple Maps web on Chrome or Edge instead.

That said, Apple mentions that it plans to roll out for other languages eventually, along with support for other browsers and platforms. The company additionally states that all developers using its MapKit JS tool can link to Apple Maps on the web.

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Apple’s move to launch the web version of its maps app comes 12 years after it was announced for iPhones. Over the course of years, users have made the most of the new features, including detailed city maps, EV routing, offline navigation as well as multi-stop routing on Apple Maps.

Previous versions of Apple Maps were restricted to browsers like DuckDuckGo, which were created by developers using API. However, the web expansion could certainly mean a lot of things, including finally challenging Google Maps.

Apart from that, Apple has likely also expanded to be accessible to more users. It however remains to be seen when the stable version of Apple Maps will roll out to everyone.