Apple Maps is Now Available on the Web in Beta

Apple launched yesterday a web version of its Maps app in beta. While the company already allowed developers to embed Apple Maps on the web using its MapKit KS API, the new web app will make the mapping service available to all users beyond the existing native apps on iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS.

You may remember that Apple Maps was one of the company’s worst product launches ever when it replaced the Apple-designed Google Maps on iOS 6 back in 2012, forcing CEO Tim Cook to issue a rare public apology. However, Apple quickly iterated, and Apple Maps is now a solid alternative to Google Maps.

“Now, users can get driving and walking directions; find great places and useful information including photos, hours, ratings, and reviews; take actions like ordering food directly from the Maps place card; and browse curated Guides to discover places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the world. Additional features, including Look Around, will be available in the coming months,” the company said yesterday.

Apple Maps on the web is currently only available in English, and it works on Safari, Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. Apple said that support for more languages and browsers is in the pipeline.

While Apple doesn’t exactly have the same web presence as its competitors, most of the company’s services are available on the web, including iCloud Photos, the “iWork” suite, as well as Apple Music and Apple TV+. It’s good to see Apple Maps also getting a web app, but we probably shouldn’t get our hopes up for a web version of Apple’s popular iMessage service.