The iOS 14.5 beta has added Waze-like reporting features to Apple Maps, which can now crowdsource information about accidents, speed cameras, and other hazards. Until now, Apple Maps was a competitor to Google Maps… if it was competitive at all. In its early days, Apple Maps was famous for epic inaccuracies, and that’s a lot of baggage for a travel app.
Today, Apple Maps is well-integrated with Apple CarPlay, and it is both accurate and convenient. Add some crowdsourced reporting features to a pre-loaded, accurate, and convenient map app and… Waze could end up as roadkill.
Both iPhone and Google users will be winners here. Waze has been slow to innovate, and this Apple news is sure to motivate Waze to step on the gas. Are you a Waze fan? Could you be persuaded to switch to Apple Maps?
Author’s note: This is not a sponsored post. I am the author of this article and it expresses my own opinions. I am not, nor is my company, receiving compensation for it.
About Shelly Palmer
Shelly Palmer is the Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and CEO of The Palmer Group, a consulting practice that helps Fortune 500 companies with AI strategy, implementation and governance, as well as technology, media and marketing. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Technology, he is a bestselling author, covers tech and business for Fox 5’s Good Day New York, is a regular commentator on CNN, and writes the popular daily business blog Think About This. Follow @shellypalmer or visit shellypalmer.com.