Apple Maps has taken a significant step forward in its competition with Google Maps by bringing its Look Around feature to the web. This street view functionality, previously available only on mobile and desktop apps, allows users to virtually explore locations through panoramic imagery. This update solidifies Apple Maps’ web version as a powerful navigation tool.
Apple quietly introduced the web version of Maps five months prior, but it was in beta with limited features. Now, the addition of Look Around significantly enhances the web experience. Accessing Look Around is simple. Just click the binoculars icon in the top right corner of the Apple Maps website. Navigation is intuitive: click within the image to smoothly move down the street or drag to pan around the 360-degree view. The initial view occupies only part of the screen, allowing users to monitor their location on the map while exploring. For a more immersive experience, a full-screen option is available via the arrows on the Look Around viewer. Changing location is equally straightforward. Simply drag the binoculars icon on the map to a new area, and Look Around will update accordingly.
While the feature works seamlessly, coverage isn’t universal. Availability can be checked by zooming into a specific location. A darkened binocular icon indicates Look Around is available. Currently, Look Around supports major cities across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan, and other regions. A complete list of supported locations is detailed on Apple’s official website.
While Apple’s Look Around offers a compelling street view experience, Google Street View retains an advantage with its historical imagery feature. This allows users to step back in time and observe how locations have changed over the years, leveraging Google’s extensive data collection since 2005. Apple began collecting Look Around data in 2015, so a similar historical feature might be possible in the future if data has been regularly updated.
Apple Maps has made impressive strides in recent years, offering a strong alternative to Google Maps. Notably, Apple Maps prioritizes user privacy by collecting less personal data. This commitment to privacy, combined with continuous improvements like the addition of Look Around to the web, positions Apple Maps as a serious contender in the digital mapping landscape.
https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/#maps-look-around
https://beta.maps.apple.com/
https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/17/apple-maps-web-look-around/
