Did you read what I wrote / understand?
- I clearly talk about the functionality where you can specify a language for each app, not the "Show labels in x language" in Maps settings.
- I clearly say that this setting is not available for Maps app.
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Apple Maps Redesign Now Rolling Out in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Slovakia
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The Maps are starting to go live right now as the map was glitching in and out. No indication of Look Around for any of the countries, though.
The redesigned version of the Maps app that Apple has been rolling out worldwide since 2019 is now being tested in Taiwan, according to Apple Maps expert Justin O'Beirne. The refreshed look is not available to all Apple Maps users as of yet, and Apple has not officially announced it.
With the updated design, landmarks and buildings are shown in 3D, and green spaces, parks, trees, roads, and other areas are displayed in more detail and with more accuracy.
Apple's revamped map experience also provides iPhone, iPad, and Mac users with better navigation, turn-by-turn walking directions with augmented reality, and in general, a much more detailed and immersive Maps interface.
This design began rolling out in September 2018 in Northern California, and as of 2019, it was available across the United States. Apple has since expanded it to multiple other countries, most recently adding Finland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovenia.
O'Beirne expects the new Apple Maps design to be officially live in Taiwan in June.
Update: O'Beirne has updated his article to note that the new maps are also in testing for Hong Kong and Slovakia.
Article Link: Apple Maps Redesign Now Rolling Out in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Slovakia
Check the maps within the next day or so. They launched for me literally like 5-10 minutes ago
The Maps have begun rolling out (I got them earlier today). Unfortunately, Look Around is not available right now in any of the regions. It might take a day or so, as not everyone has access to them at the same time. Still, they look great!
Now I have them. In earlier expansions, it used to be pretty much limited to those inside the tested countries, but now its more spread out. In general, however, it's random, and there's really no easy way to get them. You kinda just have to rely on luck lol.
Agree, I was wondering if they roll out to folk not set to that region, or if it's only to people with devices set to that region. I live in HK but have all my devices set to US still (app store etc).
No, it's gradually branching out, like I said. I'm US based and got the maps on the first day of testing or so. Same thing actually with Sweden/Norway/Finland and Benelux/Switzerland/Liechtenstein/Israel/Palestine/Saudi Arabia, but those were later in the cycle. And it's definitely possible that someone could have access to map tests outside of a country, but not for someone in that specific one if that makes sense.
How can you guys tell if it's the new or old version? You would have to compare them side-by-side, wouldn't you?
I think mine looks slightly different now? I'm not sure. It shows all buildings in 3D, does that mean it's the new version? I thought all the roads are supposed to show lane markings? Can't really tell what else is different other than 3D buildings.
I definitely wouldn't have noticed the 3D buildings if I didn't read these comments and intentionally checked.
I think mine looks slightly different now? I'm not sure. It shows all buildings in 3D, does that mean it's the new version? I thought all the roads are supposed to show lane markings? Can't really tell what else is different other than 3D buildings.
I definitely wouldn't have noticed the 3D buildings if I didn't read these comments and intentionally checked.
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There are before/after screenshots here: https://www.justinobeirne.com/new-apple-maps-hong-kong-slovakia-taiwan
The greenery is different, and in Taiwan there weren’t 3D buildings at all before. Road styles changed. In Hong Kong (where I am) the detail of “active locations” which are orange places with high foot traffic, is new. Just a lot more detail everywhere.
I’ve reported a few inaccurate 3D models as I scroll around, and all of those issues have been closed. Wonder if there’s an update already in the works?
The greenery is different, and in Taiwan there weren’t 3D buildings at all before. Road styles changed. In Hong Kong (where I am) the detail of “active locations” which are orange places with high foot traffic, is new. Just a lot more detail everywhere.
I’ve reported a few inaccurate 3D models as I scroll around, and all of those issues have been closed. Wonder if there’s an update already in the works?
After seeing your post, I checked my area and it looked the detailed 3D models have not rolled out yet.
It looks also weird to me again that the togging of 2D to 3D is not available in the explore mode but the only in satellite view.
The satellite view does not incorporate the sim city like enhanced 3D imagery available for other cities.
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2D > 3D toggle works for me in all modes (I'm in HK, so was checking your photo location).
I agree, satelite doesn't show updated models. Looks like the models (to me) are based on the imagery though. Not sure what the process has been for 3D models in satellite for other cities (if they all rolled out simultaneously).
I agree, satelite doesn't show updated models. Looks like the models (to me) are based on the imagery though. Not sure what the process has been for 3D models in satellite for other cities (if they all rolled out simultaneously).
The button to switch to 3D model in explore mode is missing for HK maps right now. I recalled it was there before. I think the rolling out is still in progress or partly done only.
For your comparison, I attached the screenshot showing the 2D view of New York Time Square exhibiting the missing button.
You may also check the satellite view of the New York Time square, it looks amazingly good as if those 3D building shown in sim city.
I guess the rolling out of the new 3d detailed maps is not necessarily in sync with the satellite view. The map view may run on updated 3d models, while the 3d satellite view may be the results of rendering by advanced computations of different perspectives of high res satellite imagery.
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Wow you’re right. Looks like the 3D/2D toggle only shows up at certain zoom levels ( in NYC, for example). And it doesn’t show up in Hong Kong, though two finger swipe works same in both.
Great find. And thanks for pointing out Times Square I hadn’t ever looked at satellite imagery in Manhattan. So good.
Great find. And thanks for pointing out Times Square I hadn’t ever looked at satellite imagery in Manhattan. So good.
the button toggling to 3d is missing in explore view, but i reckoned they might have added a gesture to toggle between 2d and 3d, that is to slide up with *two* finger to go to 3d and the other way round to go back to 2d.
the 3d model view of hk map looks quite good, but yet to find a detailed 3d model like taipei 101 or those demo items in apple campus.
Yup, that two finger swipe is how I always change between 2D/3D, so I'd never noticed the distinct buttons.
For models, I agree, nothing as detailed as Taipei 101. Bank of China building is all custom though. The IFC/ICC towers are surprisingly low res. All of Elements (the ICC mall) is quite low-res, which makes me wonder if they're preparing an update to it?
The two issues I reported with 3D were both closed without change, as noted. That's why I suggest there may be changes coming, otherwise what a waste:
1. Victoria Park, the soccer pitches have the 3D buildings on them from the CNY festival, that's very temporary, they're soccer pitches 95% of the year.
2. The Arch (next to ICC, in Elements) is totally wrong, such a cool distinctive building
Hi, do you aware of any serious updates on hk map other than more “green” displayed for most of the searched locations?
I had high hope on Apple Map upgrades, but the apple map s recent move on rolling out ads in Apple Map.
Apart from the annoying ads for car calling apps, the new strategies of incorporating ads really ruins the usability of the promising Map app.
If I understand correctly, the users are able to search nearby attractions after searching for a location.
Tried to search an oversea place where I am going to travel the next day, say Shinjuku Station. Then i searched for the nearby restaurants, the app prompted me a list of restaurants in mainland China, recommended by Dianping. So stupid to sell ads without offering any assistance to the users.
It seems like the Apple developers did not see any use case of the map app for planning a trip to oversea.
Just tried again for Apple Campus then search for nearby fast food. Again prompted me a list of restaurants promoted by Dianping. Any spy working in Apple?
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Hey!
By incident I happened to realise that the Look Around has been released to 🇭🇰
I did not notice any official announcement. it is obviously there but i am not sure how long ago was it made available.
Not sure yet if Look Around is available for only part of Hong Kong. Checked Shatin and Causeway Bay, going to check out more area!
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Confirming this. Look around available pretty widely as far as I can tell. No announcement either. Good eyes!!