Apple Maps Adds Waze-Like Features in iOS 14.5 for Crowdsourcing Accidents, Speed Traps and Hazards

[Stephen.R]

So cars with bigger tires, that are more aerodynamic, have more HP, more safety features, and accelerate better because they have better parts, should adhere to speed limits in the 90's?

they should adhere to whatever speed limit is set at the time they’re driving.

you seem to somehow think that (a) cars from the 90s were not capable of driving fast and that (b) speed limits are somehow set at a maximum of what a car is capable of.

im not sure how you came to those conclusions but neither is based in reality.

Myself and many others have been through speed traps driving 10-15 mph without an issue, which tells you even the police think they're a joke.

You understand that speed limits are a maximum right? If the sign says 30 it doesn’t mean you have to do exactly 30, it means you cannot exceed 30.

Take away the insurance company lobbyists and suddenly those speed limits will become realistic for today's cars (10-15mph higher on average).

Sure ok then. 🙄

It's way too easy to accelerate faster than the speed limits established during that time period.

Have you considered that maybe you’re just a bad driver? If you can’t control the acceleration of the vehicle to any arbitrary speed, you shouldn’t be driving it, regardless of what speed limit is set.

 

[lordhamster]

what’s your point? Germany still has speed limits and still has fines and driving bans for exceeding the limits.

Did you really think German roads are all unlimited?

I realize you were talking about speed limits and exceeding them significantly. As an ex-German I'm very cognizant of speed laws in the country.

My tounge-in-cheek response was mostly a reaction to all the folks here who equate speeds of 80mph with doom and destruction.

 

[Stephen.R]

to all the folks here who equate speeds of 80mph with doom and destruction.

The thing is I don’t think anyone has said “fast = bad”. If so and I’ve missed it, I’d agree that’s an oversimplification.

What I see people are jumping on, is claims about driving significantly over the posted speed limit.

 

[Raketemensch]

But they still won't add a speedometer, for some insane reason.

 

[I7guy]

Awesome feature. But they are copying Google. Lol

And google copied Garmin? But yeah it's an awesome feature.

 

[MozMan68]

But they still won't add a speedometer, for some insane reason.

Because it takes up space on the screen and everyone already has one staring at them right in the face from the car’s instrument cluster?

 

[iemcj]

The big thing that make Google maps the king is the ability to download maps to your phone. I waste so much data when using apple maps and waze, and when I'm in an area with poor reception I have been completely screwed. With google maps I can save my entire state to my phone and it'll use that and only 'ping' for traffic updates. I can be out in the middle of nowhere literally in airplane mode and it'll still work since you'll still have GPS unless you're under ground.

 

[Stephen.R]

The big thing that make Google maps the king is the ability to download maps to your phone. I waste so much data when using apple maps and waze, and when I'm in an area with poor reception I have been completely screwed. With google maps I can save my entire state to my phone and it'll use that and only 'ping' for traffic updates. I can be out in the middle of nowhere literally in airplane mode and it'll still work since you'll still have GPS unless you're under ground.

If you have a route selected, Apple Maps shouldn't need more data for the route itself. It's been like that since iOS6.

Are you talking about something else?

 

[MozMan68]

If you have a route selected, Apple Maps shouldn't need more data for the route itself. It's been like that since iOS6.

Are you talking about something else?

He’s talking about the ability to download an entire area so that you can actually start a route without the need for a cell signal.

I only ever used it in Sweden when I didn’t want to use data, but it’s a nice backup to have if you live in an area with sketchy cell service.

It typically only provides basic routing though with sound prompts instead of voice/street names and no traffic or poi updates along the route since there is no cell signal.

 

[Stephen.R]

He’s talking about the ability to download an entire area so that you can actually start a route without the need for a cell signal.

I see. I think if that was a problem for me (we have pretty good service most places here) I'd just buy the local maps for the Sygic app.

The ease with which people hand over their entire life to Google is quite scary TBH.

 

[Eorlas]

Right and when I’m at a stop light it tells me I have a coupon for jack in the box buy 2 for $5, but I am already late. What to do?

idk. things that pop up on waze like that dont capture my attention at all

 

[Eorlas]

that is HIGHLY questionable and personal.
i think their UI is crap, over crowded and ugly IMO.

my opinion on an app is questionable?

no, not it is not. my statement was not a question, and your questions arent relevant.

 

[MozMan68]

I see. I think if that was a problem for me (we have pretty good service most places here) I'd just buy the local maps for the Sygic app.

The ease with which people hand over their entire life to Google is quite scary TBH.

Well, unless the app is saving your data while you don’t have signal on your phone and then uploading your movements to Google when you DO have a signal, it’s actually the most anonymous way to travel.

The entire map area you select (yes…it is limited based on the amount of data you can store on your phone) is downloaded to your phone for use, so zero tracking while you use it.

The issue with Apple is that it will get you to your destination as long as you start the route where there is a signal, but what happens if where you end up doesn’t have one? You basically have to drive and just hope you are going the correct way until you hit a cell signal so you can have it download a route for you (and for some reason…one bar never seems to be enough to do this…)

 

[Stephen.R]

Well, unless the app is saving your data while you don’t have signal on your phone and then uploading your movements to Google when you DO have a signal, it’s actually the most anonymous way to travel.

The entire map area you select (yes…it is limited based on the amount of data you can store on your phone) is downloaded to your phone for use, so zero tracking while you use it.

Without confirmation otherwise, I would absolutely assume they do this.

Repeat after me: Google. Is. An. Advertising. Company.

Everything else, is a way to serve you ads. Every other unit (as they report it) of their business loses roughly a billion dollars a quarter, each.

The issue with Apple is that it will get you to your destination as long as you start the route where there is a signal, but what happens if where you end up doesn’t have one? You basically have to drive and just hope you are going the correct way until you hit a cell signal so you can have it download a route for you

.... It will download the entire route... are you talking about what happens once you get there, and you then need to drive somewhere else, but it isn't part of the same route? Sure, that's probably gonna suck, if you don't have a data connection. Like I said: I can't say I've had that issue, but as I said, if that were a concern, I'd still recommend just buying the offline maps for Sygic, and know that it'll work regardless of whether you had preemptively looked around in google maps first or not.

 

[MozMan68]

.... It will download the entire route... are you talking about what happens once you get there, and you then need to drive somewhere else, but it isn't part of the same route? Sure, that's probably gonna suck, if you don't have a data connection. Like I said: I can't say I've had that issue, but as I said, if that were a concern, I'd still recommend just buying the offline maps for Sygic, and know that it'll work regardless of whether you had preemptively looked around in google maps first or not.

That’s exactly what I mean.

I have a destination that I travel to with no signal and I’m unfamiliar with the roads around it. Apple Maps gets me there, but then when I want to head home or to another location from there, I’m rolling the dice on which way to go (or alternative ways to go) until I hit a spot with a signal.

And Maps does not constantly try to find the route when there is no signal. It tries for about a minute and then gives up, so you need to constantly look at your phone or CarPlay screen to see when a bar or two is present so you can try again.

The other nice reason for it is what I mentioned above…using it in a foreign country or someplace where you might have to pay exorbitant roaming charges. I was able to download the whole central region of Sweden where I flew to and worked on Google Maps so that when I landed, I could get in my rental car and get to my destination almost 2 hours away without using any data. It downloads all the roads as well as POI’s so I can still search where I want to go. Only downside is no traffic info and it will not change the route if there is an issue like traffic or an accident.

 

[MisterSavage]

The big thing that make Google maps the king is the ability to download maps to your phone. I waste so much data when using apple maps and waze, and when I'm in an area with poor reception I have been completely screwed. With google maps I can save my entire state to my phone and it'll use that and only 'ping' for traffic updates. I can be out in the middle of nowhere literally in airplane mode and it'll still work since you'll still have GPS unless you're under ground.

I downloaded a large area around me and forgot about it. One time I remember being annoyed that Google Maps was not announcing street names (just general "turn left" directions). When I stopped the car I was gobsmacked when I realized that I was in airplane mode (with WiFi on). I had no idea at the time it could still navigate without any cellular connection.

 

[Airforcekid]

Wow - you could never live in Europe or drive on the Ohio Turnpike. Plenty of people on Ohio Turnpike going 80 to over 100. Road was made for that.

Europeans are better drivers than us. Lived their for four years and they are much better drivers than a lot of those slow pokes in the US. The slow pokes are the dangerous ones. Especially when they are going 55 in a 70 on the Ohio Turnpike in the third lane, which is a passing lane. Fast drivers pay attention more, where slow ones most of the time have no clue.

Their privileges should be revoked too then! LOL

I lived in Germany for a little over a year and I miss how people respected the left lane and the police enforced it being for passing and high rates of speed. We could have higher speed limits if lane rules were actually enforced and I agree someone going below the speed limit in the passing lane is way more dangerous as it causes people to pass on the right side etc. As I am getting older I have found myself to be content at the speed limit in the slow lane though more MPG and I am less stressed. By the way learned to drive in Ohio to this day I still do 65-70 on the OH turnpike.

 

[MacTimLA]

The iOS 14.5 beta, available to developers and public beta testers, adds a new Apple Maps feature that lets you report accidents, hazards, and speed checks along your route when getting directions.

When you input an address, select a route, and then choose "Go," Siri lets you know that you can report accidents or hazards that you see along the way.

If you swipe up on the Apple Maps interface where maps details are available, you can tap on a "Report" button that lets you flag an accident, a hazard, or a speed check, similar to other mapping apps like Waze. Tapping automatically flags your location with no confirmation window, so it shouldn't be used except in a valid situation.

You can also say "Hey Siri, there's an accident" and Siri will send in a report to Apple Maps, and presumably, if enough people file reports, an accident site will show up in the maps app through the crowdsourcing. This is available in the United States in a test capacity at the current time, and it's not yet clear if it's also showing up in other countries.

This also works in CarPlay, as noted on the MacRumors forums by MozMan68, with the reporting interface available on the CarPlay screen.

Note that Siri will inform you about the new accident reporting functionality the first time that you seek directions after upgrading to iOS 14.5, but the feature is not mentioned after that. There is no similar accident reporting functionality available in iOS 14.4, and it also does not appear to be showing up for all iOS 14.5 users at this time based on reports from Reddit, so there is likely a server side element.

Article Link: Apple Maps Adds Waze-Like Features in iOS 14.5 for Crowdsourcing Accidents, Speed Traps and Hazards

This is great, but they should include an explicit "police" function and then warn you when there are police ahead, like Waze does. I don't like Waze/google tracking where I'm driving, but I really like how Waze will route you around accidents or traffic slowdowns reported by other users. Hopefully Apple adds police and traffic inputs as well.

 

[GDF]

How long until this has as been people reported as Waze? A year or more?

 

[MozMan68]

This is great, but they should include an explicit "police" function and then warn you when there are police ahead, like Waze does. I don't like Waze/google tracking where I'm driving, but I really like how Waze will route you around accidents or traffic slowdowns reported by other users. Hopefully Apple adds police and traffic inputs as well.

Who exactly do you think is setting speed traps?? Speed traps = "police"

Apple has been tracking your traffic info since Maps was released and it does indeed route you around traffic/accident slow downs when needed.

 

[MozMan68]

How long until this has as been people reported as Waze? A year or more?

As I noted in a response above, Apple Maps has millions of daily users. Even if they have no idea this feature has been released, they will see/hear it on their daily routes as others mark hazards, speed traps, accidents....the organic growth of this on Maps will be much faster than Waze which is and always has been a separate app that required users to know about it's existence and download it to use it.

It also does not take a vast majority for this to work properly, only the dedicated minority that currently marks hazards like in Waze/Google today.

 

[gaximus]

I’ve always wondered if being able to know where a speed trap is doesn’t kinda defeat their purpose.

When I was in the Air Force I asked one of the SPs, why don’t you guys hide very well when setting up a speed trap. His answer was, our job is to make sure everyone follows the law, and being visible does that more than giving tickets. Also on base you don’t get fees for speeding (instead you go to your First Sergeant, which can be worse or hurt you when promotion comes up) so there is no monetary motivation for the police to give speeding tickets. It’s amazing how things change when money isn’t a factor.

 

[spazzcat]

I’ve always wondered if being able to know where a speed trap is doesn’t kinda defeat their purpose.

No, because the purpose of a speed trap is supposed to get people to slow down, it's not supposed to be about writing tickets...

 

[Steve121178]

RIP Waze

Waze is so good because of the sheer number of users it has reporting incidents, be it on a Android or iOS device.

For Apple Maps to be anywhere near as effective, it will need an awful lot of people using Apple Maps with 14.5.

Going to be a very long time until anyone can realistically even consider getting rid of Waze if you value useful & current traffic information.

 

[MozMan68]

Waze is so good because of the sheer number of users it has reporting incidents, be it on a Android or iOS device.

For Apple Maps to be anywhere near as effective, it will need an awful lot of people using Apple Maps with 14.5.

Going to be a very long time until anyone can realistically even consider getting rid of Waze if you value useful & current traffic information.

Sigh…it’s amazing how many people simply don’t understand how this works.

Can you tell us please exactly what percentage of Waze users report incidents versus just using it for the reports? Nope?

Apple Maps doesn’t need you to report traffic, that’s why it is not a button on the new reporting feature. It automatically tracks traffic…EVERY SINGLE DEVICE…unless you turn that feature off (which is not straight forward nor easy to find/do).

So every single IPhone in a car is tracking traffic movements/speed unless turned off by the user.

It only takes a dedicated minority of users (and that’s actually a very large number) to report. Other non-reporters simply need to confirm. And since Apple Maps is on nearly every single iPhone and used by millions of people every day, these features will be integrated WAY faster than an app that needs to be downloaded and used like Waze.