Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution
The competition between Google Maps and Apple Maps has moved to the car, and while Google and Apple also try to improve their maps and develop new features, one key focus area has become the integration behind the wheel.
The two companies try to make their applications feel more like native solutions in vehicles where their software powers the infotainment system. On Android Automotive, Google Maps is the default navigation solution, offering integrated capabilities like support for reading battery information and suggesting charging stops.
Apple uses CarPlay to make Apple Maps the go-to navigation solution for drivers, with iOS 17.4 bringing a new feature that'll make it more difficult to choose Google Maps over the company's iOS navigation software.
The first iOS 17.4 beta, available for testing today, includes an update allowing Apple Maps to display next-turn information in the instrument cluster when the app runs on CarPlay.
Despite suffering from slow adoption, the support for showing navigation information in the instrument cluster is a great Apple Maps feature. The application can highlight the route when CarPlay is enabled, allowing navigation to be displayed right in front of the driver. However, the existing integration offers a basic experience, as it lacks essential capabilities, such as turn-by-turn instructions. Apple Maps only shows a small part of the map, along with the highlighted route.
iOS 17.4 will upgrade the experience with turn-by-turn information that will tell drivers where to make a turn and the distance to the next maneuver. Apple has probably delayed the feature because there's always a risk of making the instrument panel more cluttered, so the company has likely found a way to show turn-by-turn guidance without making it intrusive.
Apple doesn't currently offer more information, as the feature is still in the works, but we should hear more about the instrument cluster integration in March when iOS 17.4 is scheduled to ship to production devices.
Meanwhile, it doesn't look like the update is related to the new-generation CarPlay due later this year. Apple will use the existing integration into the instrument cluster, which has been adopted by only a few carmakers, to bring this feature to CarPlay users. The company will use the feature as an incentive to stick with Apple Maps, making the switch to Google Maps much harder for people who want to see the navigation information in front of their eyes.
However, remember that your car must support this Apple Maps integration in the instrument cluster. Otherwise, the upcoming update won't change anything in your case, as you'll still have to look at the CarPlay screen to see the route when navigating.
iOS 17.4 will be available for all iPhones supported by iOS 17, namely iPhone XS and newer.
Apple uses CarPlay to make Apple Maps the go-to navigation solution for drivers, with iOS 17.4 bringing a new feature that'll make it more difficult to choose Google Maps over the company's iOS navigation software.
The first iOS 17.4 beta, available for testing today, includes an update allowing Apple Maps to display next-turn information in the instrument cluster when the app runs on CarPlay.
Despite suffering from slow adoption, the support for showing navigation information in the instrument cluster is a great Apple Maps feature. The application can highlight the route when CarPlay is enabled, allowing navigation to be displayed right in front of the driver. However, the existing integration offers a basic experience, as it lacks essential capabilities, such as turn-by-turn instructions. Apple Maps only shows a small part of the map, along with the highlighted route.
iOS 17.4 will upgrade the experience with turn-by-turn information that will tell drivers where to make a turn and the distance to the next maneuver. Apple has probably delayed the feature because there's always a risk of making the instrument panel more cluttered, so the company has likely found a way to show turn-by-turn guidance without making it intrusive.
Apple doesn't currently offer more information, as the feature is still in the works, but we should hear more about the instrument cluster integration in March when iOS 17.4 is scheduled to ship to production devices.
Meanwhile, it doesn't look like the update is related to the new-generation CarPlay due later this year. Apple will use the existing integration into the instrument cluster, which has been adopted by only a few carmakers, to bring this feature to CarPlay users. The company will use the feature as an incentive to stick with Apple Maps, making the switch to Google Maps much harder for people who want to see the navigation information in front of their eyes.
However, remember that your car must support this Apple Maps integration in the instrument cluster. Otherwise, the upcoming update won't change anything in your case, as you'll still have to look at the CarPlay screen to see the route when navigating.
iOS 17.4 will be available for all iPhones supported by iOS 17, namely iPhone XS and newer.
Google News