Apple Discreetly Launches A Niche App for iPhone Owners
The app aims to help improve one of Apple's most popular apps.
Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more
This week, Apple introduced a new iPhone app to little or no fanfare. But there's a reason for its quiet release — it isn't meant for everybody.
The app is called Maps Surveyor, and its sole purpose to improve one of Apple's most popular apps: Apple Maps.
As first spotted by MacRumors, Maps Surveyor is an app that's really only designed for people committed to making Maps, Apple's default navigation app, better and stay up to date.
Here's how the Apple Store describes it: 'Surveyor helps Apple improve Maps by collecting data, such as images of street signs and other roadside details, while on an assigned route.'
To collect this data and send in photos, Maps Surveyor requires users. But even though the app is free and available to anybody with an iPhone, that doesn't mean everyone can use it. You have to be approved.
When you open Maps Surveyor, the app prompts you to open another app called Premise. Premise is a task marketplace that rewards users with money for sharing information, taking surveys, and completing tasks.
Apple uses Premise to invite specific people it has chosen to help it improve Apple Maps — but that's reserved for a small group of individuals, which isn't likely to include you.
Even though you can find Maps Surveyor in the App Store, the app doesn't appear to be public-facing at the time of writing.
So, if you're interested in improving Apple Maps and you have something specific in mind, your best course of action would be to use the 'Report a New Issue' option within Apple Maps.
Learn More
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
an hour ago
- CNET
WWDC Didn't Excite Me. I Really Need the iPhone 17 to Make a Splash
Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote had a lot of fanfare about its new "Liquid Glass" interface for iOS 26, iPads, Macs and Apple TV, but beyond that there was very little that got me excited. In fact, it felt like one of the most underwhelming Apple events I've covered in my 14 years as a CNET journalist. That's not a good sign. What I can say with confidence is that Apple really needs to make a big splash with the iPhone 17 when it launches in September. It wasn't that Apple did anything especially wrong with its announcements. I actually liked most of them. The new Liquid Glass design language is arguably in a similar vein to Windows Vista, but it's nice to see iOS get a bit of a refresh, as it's felt a little stale for a while now. But, it's hardly groundbreaking, nor will it change how we interact with our phones. Thanks for making my app icons transparent, Apple, but what can I do with them now? Apple Some of the new features the company announced -- such as the call screening tool or the screenshot search function that uses Apple's Visual Intelligence -- are nice to see, but they're basically the same as Android's call screening tool and Circle to Search, so it's difficult to get excited. Ditto for the glossy icons now coming to TVOS and the new pointer in iPadOS. Even Apple's Senior VP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi seemed to know they had nothing much to shout about: "A pointier pointer? Who'd have thought!" he quipped. Fine, I like the windows in iPadOS. But that's one of the only things in the whole presentation that piqued my interest. I sat up with anticipation when Apple talked about the new Games app, thumbs already twitching with the excitement about new titles I might be playing thanks to new platforms or new advances in Apple's Metal graphics engine. But no, it's just an easier way to view your games and see your friend's high scores. Big deal. The Galaxy S25 Edge against a slice of thin crust pizza. Your move, Apple. Jesse Orrall/CNET I'm left feeling a little deflated by the lack of excitement overall, so I'm forced instead to look towards September, when we expect to see the iPhone 17 unveiled. It needs to be a big one. It needs some real razzle dazzle. And not just for me, but for Apple, too. The iPhone 16 is a great phone, but its biggest new feature was a new button for the camera that still feels a bit…weird. Last year saw the grand unveiling of Apple Intelligence, which so far has been a huge letdown, with Federighi stating that more information on Apple Intelligence's updates will be shared "in the coming year." In short, it feels like Apple needs a win. Watch this: I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better 05:40 The iPhone 17 could be that win. Early rumors point to upgraded cameras with advanced video features for creators, along with the potential for a slimmer iPhone Air that would compete with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. Will this be the year we see a foldable iPhone? Almost certainly not, but it'd definitely be something more exciting to hear about during a long keynote. Maybe I'm being too harsh, and I'm just a bit jaded after 14 years of covering Apple events. Maybe I'm grumpy because its keynote started at 6 p.m. in my UK time zone, effectively pushing back my dinner and making me wait for food. Or maybe Apple did need to put a bit more meat on the plate and prove that its biggest announcements of the year aren't just style over substance.
Android Authority
an hour ago
- Android Authority
5 reasons why buying the latest flagship is not always a good idea
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority That brand new flagship phone you have your eyes on sure does look appealing, doesn't it? It's often touted as the best on offer, featuring the fastest chipset, cameras that can perform miracles in all lighting conditions, and a design that turns heads. But don't let your emotions run the show. Take a step back, relax, and truly consider whether you need it before you reach for your wallet. Chances are, buying the latest flagship might be a mistake. Here are five reasons why. Do you usually buy the latest and greatest flagship? 0 votes Yes, always. NaN % No, I usually get an older model. NaN % No, I prefer mid-range phones. NaN % Reason 1: It's usually a minor upgrade Joe Maring / Android Authority The days when every new flagship smartphone represented a monumental leap over its predecessor are largely behind us. The latest Galaxies and iPhones, while polished, are often only marginally better than previous models in terms of raw specifications and features. Sure, there are various improvements highlighted on paper, but you likely won't notice a slightly faster chipset when simply scrolling through your Instagram feed or browsing the web. Battery life isn't generally much better either, and for most users, it's hard to distinguish between a photo snapped with this year's model versus last year's. It's not just about internal specs and features, though. Design, too, doesn't seem to change all that much year over year. A new color here and there, perhaps a slightly redesigned camera module, and that's often the extent of it. While companies could innovate more in this area, most prefer to play it safe, opting for iterative refinements rather than revolutionary overhauls. So, if you own last year's flagship and are contemplating an upgrade to the absolute latest model, I'd argue it's generally not worth it. Unless you're a true power user who absolutely needs to stay on the bleeding edge of technology at all times, you're better off sticking with what you have. And if you're currently using an older phone, buying last year's flagship is often the smarter option. You get 90% of the latest model's capabilities for a lot less money. Reason 2: You likely don't need it anyway Ryan Haines / Android Authority I've already touched on how buying last year's flagship can save you money, but even that might be overkill for some. The biggest mistake I see people make is buying 'too much phone.' Just because something is marketed as 'the best' doesn't automatically mean it's the best for you. You should always make a purchase decision based on your genuine needs, not solely on what's the hottest and most powerful gadget on the market. Mid-range phones are more than capable enough for the average user these days. The truth is that mid-range phones these days are more than capable enough for the average user. When friends and family ask me for recommendations on which phone to buy, I usually suggest something like the Google Pixel 9a or a Samsung Galaxy A56. Both offer plenty of power for everyday tasks, great cameras, long software support, and an attractive design. You won't experience any lag when doing basic things like browsing the web, checking social media, using generative AI tools like ChatGPT, or watching videos. Playing the most graphically demanding games or running complex on-device AI may be more of an issue, but that's not something everyone cares about. Therefore, always buy what you need. If you need a car to get to the grocery store twice a week and to the doctor occasionally, you wouldn't buy the latest $100,000 luxury BMW. While it would certainly get the job done, it's a colossal waste of money. Similarly, if you're an average smartphone user who doesn't play demanding games, isn't a professional photographer or camera nerd, and relies primarily on cloud storage rather than needing massive amounts of on-device storage, don't grab the 1TB Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra just because it's the most premium option available. A capable mid-ranger will perfectly address all your needs without breaking the bank. Reason 3: Cost and depreciation Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority A high-end phone inevitably comes with a high-end price tag. And that's before you account for the essential accessories like a case, screen protector, and possibly even a charger that you'll likely buy with it. I've already highlighted how opting for last year's model or a mid-ranger can save you money upfront. But in addition to that initial outlay, you also have to consider the resale value, especially if you plan on selling or trading it in for a newer model down the line. If you're simply passing it down to a younger sibling, then this concern is less pressing. New phones tend to depreciate more rapidly than older ones. If you're buying a brand-new phone at full retail price, its value will drop considerably within the first year alone. People are generally unwilling to pay close to the original retail price for a used flagship, as most would rather spend a bit more for a brand-new device. What's more, phones frequently go on sale multiple times per year, further driving down the price of used models. Older phones, especially when you manage to get a good deal on them, tend to hold their value much better. So, when the time comes to sell, you'll lose significantly less money than you would if you bought a new flagship and sold it after a few years. It's a similar system to cars: when you drive a new one off the lot, its value immediately drops significantly. But when you buy a used car, the depreciation happens at a much slower rate. Reason 4: Software updates keep the phone fresh Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The length of software support for smartphones is quite impressive these days, although this does depend on the manufacturer. In the Android world, Google and Samsung are leading the pack, often offering up to seven years of both OS and security updates. Your old phone will likely still be up-to-date for years to come. This prolonged support means your older phone will still be up-to-date for years to come, making the argument for buying the latest one solely for its great software experience less compelling. Sure, there are often new software features introduced exclusively on newer models, but a lot of times, these features are eventually released as part of an update to older, still-supported phones. It doesn't always happen for every single feature, but it's quite common for many of the most impactful ones. So, even if you buy last year's Galaxy S phone instead of the absolute latest one, the core software experience will be, and will remain, more or less the same for years to come — sans a few niche features that generally aren't important enough to justify spending hundreds of extra dollars. Reason 5: The unknown factor Alex Walker-Todd / Android Authority When a new phone is announced, the company behind it often makes it sound like it just invented something magical. However, as with almost any brand-new product, potential issues are always a possibility. From screen defects and overheating to various software bugs, the experience of using a brand-new phone isn't always as smooth as we'd all like. To mitigate this, it's sometimes advisable to wait a few months before buying a new phone. Keep an eye on reviews and user reports that highlight potential issues with a specific device to see if the purchase is truly worth it. But another excellent reason to consider an older model is simply that all the details are already available. The manufacturer has likely already shipped out patches that fixed initial software issues and addressed any manufacturing glitches that might have caused hardware defects. Therefore, you're less likely to experience widespread issues with an older phone model than with a brand-new one — especially if you buy it right at launch. Are there any other reasons why you think buying the latest flagship is not always a good idea? Let me know in the comments — I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Your Apple Watch Is Getting a Neat New Feature That You'll Actually Use
But, unfortunately, not every Apple Watch model will support it. Earlier this week, Apple gave us a first glimpse of watchOS 26 and the upcoming features it's going to bring to the Apple Watch. And there are quite a few. Some of the standouts include a more helpful Smart Stack, support for Live Translations (for messages), and 'Workout Buddy' — an AI-powered feature that feeds you real-time data and words of encouragement during your workout. But out of all the new features and capabilities coming to the Apple Watch, one in particular genuinely has me excited … because I know I'll actually use it. The feature is called 'Wrist Flick' and it's meant to make it easier to manage unruly Apple Watch notifications, which often aren't that important and/or appear at the most inopportune times. Specifically, you'll be able to dismiss them with a quick flick of your wrist. With Wrist Flick, you can quickly dismiss things like app notifications, incoming calls and timers by doing a simple movement — quickly rolling your wrist (and Apple Watch) away from you. Wrist Flick will be an Accessibility feature similar to Double Tap — which lets you control your Apple Watch by tapping your thumb and index fingers together twice — but promises to be infinitely easier to use. Plus, more useful. As somebody who constantly gets annoyed by random notifications, such a message from my Apple TV or from an Instagram group chat, most of which seem to come when I'm doing a workout, having the ability to quickly dismiss them without even touching my Apple Watch … it seems like a godsend. Like with Double Tap, Wrist Flick is an Accessibility feature that will only be available on relatively new Apple Watch models — you need a Series 9, Series 10 or Ultra 2. This means that if you have a first-gen Apple Watch Ultra or any SE model, Wrist Flick will not be supported. The reason is that they don't have Apple's newer S9 (or newer S10) processor. Apple will officially release watchOS 26 this fall, most likely in early September, when it announces the next-gen Apple Watch models. To learn more about watchOS 26's upcoming features, check out Apple's blog post. Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol's editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.
