Latest news with #AppleMaps
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Apple Is Giving Your iPhone a Key New Feature for Commuters
The goal is to proactively help you avoid traffic and other delays, thus helping you save time. When Apple rolls out iOS 26, the next-gen operating system for your iPhone, it's going to bring several updates and features to some of your most-used apps. That includes Apple Maps. As revealed at June's WWDC, Apple's default navigation app is getting a feature called Visited Places, where your iPhone will keep track of where you've been and mark those locations, be it a restaurant or store, on your Map. That way, you can keep track of where you've been. Of course, Visited Places will be a feature that's end-to-end encrypted, so nobody but yourself will be able to keep track of your wearables. Plus, you'll need to enable it for your iPhone to track you. Additionally, your iPhone will be able to learn your daily routes and send you notifications if there's a delay, and even suggest an alternate route. Let's call these Commute Notifications. According to Apple, Maps 'learns the routes you travel regularly and can alert you about significant delays, even before you head out. If your routine changes, iPhone adapts to it so you can conquer your commute.' The neat thing with these Commute Notifications is that they work passively in the background. So, when you're doing things that wouldn't require using Apple Maps, such as driving to the gym or dropping the kids off at school, it can still send you delay/traffic alerts along with an alternative route suggestion. As with Visited Places, these Commute Notifications will be a feature that runs exclusively on your iPhone and is end-to-end encrypted. And you'll have to enable it. iOS 26 will roll out to all compatible iPhones this September. 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Apple Is Giving Your iPhone a Key New Feature for Commuters
The goal is to proactively help you avoid traffic and other delays, thus helping you save time. When Apple rolls out iOS 26, the next-gen operating system for your iPhone, it's going to bring several updates and features to some of your most-used apps. That includes Apple Maps. As revealed at June's WWDC, Apple's default navigation app is getting a feature called Visited Places, where your iPhone will keep track of where you've been and mark those locations, be it a restaurant or store, on your Map. That way, you can keep track of where you've been. Of course, Visited Places will be a feature that's end-to-end encrypted, so nobody but yourself will be able to keep track of your wearables. Plus, you'll need to enable it for your iPhone to track you. Additionally, your iPhone will be able to learn your daily routes and send you notifications if there's a delay, and even suggest an alternate route. Let's call these Commute Notifications. According to Apple, Maps 'learns the routes you travel regularly and can alert you about significant delays, even before you head out. If your routine changes, iPhone adapts to it so you can conquer your commute.' The neat thing with these Commute Notifications is that they work passively in the background. So, when you're doing things that wouldn't require using Apple Maps, such as driving to the gym or dropping the kids off at school, it can still send you delay/traffic alerts along with an alternative route suggestion. As with Visited Places, these Commute Notifications will be a feature that runs exclusively on your iPhone and is end-to-end encrypted. And you'll have to enable it. iOS 26 will roll out to all compatible iPhones this September. 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.
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
iOS 26 Beta hints at major Apple Maps upgrade with AI integration
Apple Maps is on track to become a lot more intuitive if the latest iOS 26 beta code discoveries are anything to go by. Shared by reliable tipster and developer Steve Moser, two new features are being teased behind the scenes of Apple's upcoming software: natural language search and smarter thermal management. Neither feature has been officially announced by Apple, but their presence in beta code suggests they're being tested ahead of a possible rollout later this year. 'Search the Way You Talk' The headline upgrade is a more natural and conversational search capability for Apple Maps. According to Moser, the feature allows users to type queries like: 'Best coffee shops with free Wi-Fi'—phrases that are less robotic and more how we actually speak. This is part of Apple's broader integration of its new AI initiative, Apple Intelligence, which has already improved search in other apps like Photos, Music, and TV. With Maps getting this upgrade, users can expect faster, more relevant results without having to string together perfect keywords. If the implementation mirrors what we've seen in other apps, this could significantly improve how users interact with Maps—especially in unfamiliar areas where nuanced recommendations matter. Keeping cool under pressure The second feature spotted in the code is a new thermal management tool aimed at preventing iPhones from overheating during turn-by-turn navigation. Currently, Apple Maps keeps the screen on at all times when navigating—a useful but battery-draining and heat-inducing behaviour. In hot environments (think: mounted on a car dashboard on a sunny Dubai afternoon while charging), this can lead to the phone getting uncomfortably warm or even temporarily throttling performance. The new feature will allow the screen to automatically turn off when necessary to help the iPhone cool down. While this may sound minor, it's a meaningful quality-of-life improvement, especially for frequent drivers or anyone using Maps in high-temperature settings. When can you expect these features? As of now, neither of the new additions is visible in the latest iOS 26 beta available to developers or public testers. However, reports suggest that the thermal management capability may already be quietly active in some devices, not just in iOS 26, but even in iOS 18. The natural language search functionality, on the other hand, appears to still be in the works and hasn't yet made its way into any build available to users. Whether both features land in time for the public iOS 26 release this fall, or get pushed to later updates like iOS 26.1 or 26.2—remains to be seen.
Geeky Gadgets
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Geeky Gadgets
Apple CarPlay in iOS 26 Beta 3: All the NEW Features Revealed!
The iOS 26 Beta 3 update introduces a series of enhancements to Apple CarPlay, focusing on improving the user interface (UI), expanding functionality, and refining compatibility. While the update brings several notable features, some anticipated additions remain absent, leaving room for further development. Here's a detailed look at the key updates and their implications for users in a new video from HotshotTek. Watch this video on YouTube. UI Enhancements: Smoother Transitions and Modern Design One of the most prominent changes in iOS 26 Beta 3 is the adoption of a liquid glass design, which provides smoother transitions between screens. This update creates a more fluid and visually appealing experience, enhancing the overall usability of CarPlay. Additional UI improvements include: Updated splash screen icons that deliver a modern and polished look when connecting your device to CarPlay. when connecting your device to CarPlay. New animations in the phone app, particularly in the contact tab, which improve visual consistency and make navigation more intuitive. These updates aim to make interactions with CarPlay more seamless, making sure that drivers can focus on the road while enjoying a refined interface. Widgets and Display: Greater Customization Options CarPlay now supports a broader range of third-party widgets, allowing users to personalize their dashboard with greater flexibility. This enhancement is particularly useful for tailoring the interface to individual preferences, whether for navigation, music, or other apps. However, the limitation of a single widget page persists, which may feel restrictive for users accustomed to earlier iOS versions that supported multiple pages. The smart display zoom feature, which enables users to adjust screen elements to their preferences, remains unchanged. While this feature continues to provide reliable functionality, its lack of updates may leave some users hoping for further advancements in future releases. New Functionalities: Improved Mapping and Gesture Controls Navigation and mapping capabilities have received significant upgrades in this update, making them more intuitive and practical for drivers. Key improvements include: Expanded support for pinch-to-zoom functionality , now compatible with a wider range of vehicles. This makes it easier to interact with maps and other visual content while driving. , now compatible with a wider range of vehicles. This makes it easier to interact with maps and other visual content while driving. Enhanced Apple Maps features, including real-time updates for road work, hazards, and closures. These updates improve navigation accuracy and contribute to a safer driving experience. These additions are designed to provide a more informed and user-friendly experience, making sure that drivers have access to the most relevant and up-to-date information while on the road. CarPlay Screenshot Settings: Enhanced Image Quality A new screenshot setting has been introduced, allowing users to convert images from SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) to HDR (High Dynamic Range). This feature, which can be manually enabled, ensures that screenshots of the CarPlay interface are captured in higher quality, offering better clarity and detail. This improvement is particularly beneficial for users who frequently share or analyze screenshots of their CarPlay setup. Apple Music: Simplified Offline Access The Apple Music app now features a dedicated 'Downloaded' tab, making it easier to access offline content. This update streamlines navigation within the app, making sure that users can quickly find their downloaded music without unnecessary steps. While this enhancement improves the music experience, the Podcasts app has seen only minor updates, such as icons marking downloaded episodes. These changes, while helpful, leave the app's overall functionality largely unchanged. Calendar App: A Subtle but Notable Change A small but noticeable change has been made to the calendar app icon within CarPlay. The icon no longer displays the current date, a feature that many users relied on for quick reference while driving. While this adjustment may seem minor, it could impact how drivers interact with the app and access date-related information. Compatibility and Release Timeline The iOS 26 Beta 3 update introduces stricter compatibility requirements, dropping support for older devices such as the iPhone XS and XS Max. To access this update, users will need an iPhone 11 or newer, reflecting Apple's focus on optimizing performance for more recent hardware. Currently available as a developer beta, the public beta is expected to launch later this month, with the official release planned for the fall. These timelines provide users with a clear roadmap for when they can expect to access the new features. Missing Features and Limitations Despite the numerous improvements, some features remain absent, highlighting areas where future updates could bring additional value. Notable omissions include: AirPlay still does not support streaming YouTube videos to vehicle displays, a feature that many users have been anticipating for seamless media integration. still does not support streaming YouTube videos to vehicle displays, a feature that many users have been anticipating for seamless media integration. Apple Maps lacks the liquid glass effect and gesture-based zoom-out functionality, which could have further enhanced its usability and visual appeal. These limitations underscore the need for continued development to address user expectations and expand CarPlay's capabilities. Refining the CarPlay Experience The iOS 26 Beta 3 update for Apple CarPlay delivers meaningful enhancements, particularly in UI design, widget support, and mapping features. These updates aim to create a more intuitive and visually appealing platform for drivers, making sure that CarPlay remains a valuable tool for navigation, entertainment, and communication. However, the absence of certain features, such as AirPlay video streaming and the calendar date display, highlights areas for potential refinement. As Apple continues to evolve its software, these updates reflect the company's commitment to improving CarPlay as a functional and user-friendly platform for drivers. Expand your understanding of Apple CarPlay UI Enhancements with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Source & Image Credit: HotshotTek Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business Standard
iOS 26 may add natural language search, cooling fix to Apple Maps: Report
Apple's iOS 26 update may introduce two new features to Apple Maps, natural language search and thermal management during navigation. According to a report by 9to5Mac, references to these features have been discovered in beta code, hinting at their arrival in a future iOS 26 update. Though not yet live in the current public beta, both features are expected to roll out in a later iOS 26 version, such as iOS 26.1 or 26.2. Search the way you talk One of the most anticipated additions is the ability to search using natural language. This would allow users to type or speak everyday phrases into Apple Maps instead of relying on keyword-specific queries. A string of beta code found in iOS 26 includes a reference to 'search the way you talk,' suggesting Apple Maps will soon understand and process conversational inputs. For example, users could ask for 'best coffee shops with free Wi-Fi' and receive tailored suggestions—similar to how they might use Siri or Spotlight Search. This capability is said to be powered by Apple Intelligence, the company's new AI framework introduced at WWDC 2025. Apple Intelligence is already being tested in apps like Photos, Music and Mail, and its addition to Maps could enhance trip planning and local discovery. Thermal management during navigation The second expected feature addresses a practical concern: iPhone overheating during navigation. Currently, Apple Maps keeps the screen on for continuous turn-by-turn directions, which can lead to the device heating up, especially when placed on a car dashboard in warm weather while charging. To counter this, Apple is reportedly working on a thermal management system that would allow the screen to turn off temporarily under certain conditions without interrupting navigation. This feature aims to keep the phone cooler while ensuring that directions remain functional in the background. Though it may seem minor, this update could prove especially useful in high-temperature environments or long journeys where device heating becomes a concern. Apple has not officially confirmed either feature, and they are not available in the current public iOS 26 beta. However, the presence of supporting code indicates that Apple may introduce them in subsequent software updates as part of its broader iOS 26 improvements.
