Apple Maps Transit Directions Now Live for Hong Kong Residents, Apple Pay Octopus Officially Launches

[MacRumors]

Apple has updated its Maps app to include real time transit directions and data for Hong Kong residents.

Image credit: @HappyETwmc​

From today, local Apple Maps users can search for metro train stations, bus routes and ferry piers, and get real time transit information for services. The only limitation appears to be a lack of indoor station mapping.

The metropolitan area is one location in Asia where hints of transit support surfaced months ago. However, Apple's Hong Kong mapping has been a complicated issue because of the administrative region's self-governance and autonomy disputes with mainland China.

As noted by tech blog Ata Distance, Apple Maps actually uses two different map data sources for Hong Kong – AutoNavi map data for mainland SIM iPhones, and another one for non-mainland SIM iPhones. This led to an unusual situation in which transit directions where available to Chinese visitors but not to residents of Hong Kong.

Also today, Apple Pay Octopus officially launched in Hong Kong, just before 1.00 a.m. local time, following a silent rollout that began on Monday. A press event is scheduled to take place at 12.30 p.m. local time.

Apple Pay Octopus is similar to Apple Pay Suica with Express Transit – users just hold the top of their iPhone or Apple Watch near an Octopus reader to use, and there's no need to unlock the device or open an app. Even if the device shuts down due to low battery, users can still use Octopus.

Apple Octopus Pay is compatible with iPhone 8 and later devices updated to iOS 13.5, and Apple Watch Series 3 and later running watchOS 6.2.5.

Octopus Cards Limited first announced Apple Pay Octopus would be "coming soon" in July 2019, but the launch was pushed back several times, eventually to "later in 2020" without explanation.

(Thanks, Sean!)

Article Link: Apple Maps Transit Directions Now Live for Hong Kong Residents, Apple Pay Octopus Officially Launches

 

[typographer]

I liked the way of using octopus cards with my apple watch.

 

[somethingelsefl]

Coincidentally, “Apple Pay Octopus” is the upcoming title of my children’s book.

 

[Tech198]

Everyone likes using Maps.

 

[altdimension]

Anyone able to test if this is true or not?
"Users require a Hong Kong issued Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay credit or debit cards in Apple Wallet in order to purchase or top up an Octopus card in Apple Wallet."

I ask just because you can top-up a Suica (Japanese equivalent of Octopus) with non Japanese debit/credit cards.

 

[haruhiko]

Anyone able to test if this is true or not?
"Users require a Hong Kong issued Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay credit or debit cards in Apple Wallet in order to purchase or top up an Octopus card in Apple Wallet."

I ask just because you can top-up a Suica (Japanese equivalent of Octopus) with non Japanese debit/credit cards.

This is true. Currently, only by Hong Kong issued credit or debit cards.
However if you have a plastic card, you may transfer it to the wallet together with its balance.

 

[altdimension]

This is true. Currently, only by Hong Kong issued credit or debit cards.
However if you have a plastic card, you may transfer it to the wallet together with its balance.

Thanks for checking.

Shame though. I have a plastic Octopus card but if I transfer it to my iPhone there would then be no way of topping it up (I don't have any HK-issued cards).

 

[nicho]

Thanks for checking.

Shame though. I have a plastic Octopus card but if I transfer it to my iPhone there would then be no way of topping it up (I don't have any HK-issued cards).

I would tell you the answer to that issue, but it's painfully obvious you didn't actually bother to open the linked apple site and look at the solution to this problem. You should!

 

[altdimension]

I would tell you the answer to that issue, but it's painfully obvious you didn't actually bother to open the linked apple site and look at the solution to this problem. You should!

This is undoubtedly quite a momentous day for you - the first time you've seen a person on the internet make a mistake.

For anyone else who, like me, can't read - you can top up using cash if you don't have a HK debit/credit card.

 

[ncc1701d]

Everyone likes using Maps.

Deleted it years ago.

 

[doc james]

What's the technology for it working if your phone has shut down? When I first read about it, I assumed some sort of NFC thing but iPhone 8 doesn't have NFC.

 

[nicho]

What's the technology for it working if your phone has shut down? When I first read about it, I assumed some sort of NFC thing but iPhone 8 doesn't have NFC.

iPhone 8 doesn't work with that feature.

I'm curious as to what you think "NFC" is.

 

[nvmls]

Everyone likes using Maps.

Sure. "It just works".

 

[Powermax]

What's the technology for it working if your phone has shut down? When I first read about it, I assumed some sort of NFC thing but iPhone 8 doesn't have NFC.

If you have an iPhone XS or newer it actually still works up to 4 hours after your phone ran out of battery.

 

[mlukehamilton]

Apple Pay Oculus*

 

[dnlklr]

Kinda seems ominous for Apple to launch this RIGHT NOW?

 

[Secondempire]

What's the technology for it working if your phone has shut down? When I first read about it, I assumed some sort of NFC thing but iPhone 8 doesn't have NFC.

The first iPhone with NFC was iPhone 6, and iPhone 8 most certainly also has it. Express Transit is available in iPhone 6s and later (the option of skipping Touch ID/Face ID authentication), while Power reserve requires iPhone XR/XS and later.

 

[hagar]

Great they offer real-time info. In my region (Belgium) they only offer theoretical hours, after years of waiting. This puts Apple Maps behind Google Maps, again.

 

[justperry]

Deleted it years ago.

Sure. "It just works".

View attachment 920888

Why oh why do you feel the urge to comment the way you do, this is getting so old and childish.

As for the article, good for Hong Kong.
What I wish I could do with my iPhone probably will never going to be released here, that I can use NFC together with my transit card without using ApplePay.

Great they offer real-time info. In my region (Belgium) they only offer theoretical hours, after years of waiting. This puts Apple Maps behind Google Maps, again.

Anecdotical evidence, Apple Maps is better in many ways and you don't have to sell your soul to Google.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

Just in time to help people escape!

 

[ncc1701d]

Why oh why do you feel the urge to comment the way you do, this is getting so old and childish.

As for the article, good for Hong Kong.
What I wish I could do with my iPhone probably will never going to be released here, that I can use NFC together with my transit card without using ApplePay.



Anecdotical evidence, Apple Maps is better in many ways and you don't have to sell your soul to Google.

In response to someone saying that everyone loves “maps”. If you read through the thread you’ll understand why. The app may work well in the USA, but is useless most other places. I really tried to use it over google maps, but it just doesn’t compare. Then the continual notifications as to ”don’t I want to use maps?”. No, I don’t. Deleted.

 

[nvmls]

Why oh why do you feel the urge to comment the way you do, this is getting so old and childish.

We just wished it worked as the world map app which is advertised to be Coffee refill? ?‍♂️

 

[calstanford]

In response to someone saying that everyone loves “maps”. If you read through the thread you’ll understand why. The app may work well in the USA, but is useless most other places. I really tried to use it over google maps, but it just doesn’t compare. Then the continual notifications as to ”don’t I want to use maps?”. No, I don’t. Deleted.

Google Maps is utterly useless in Hong Kong too. Especially the walking maps. It ignores any walkway in Central (of which there are many, used buy millions every day!). So to go from say IFC to QRC they route you over a 1.2km detour instead of the 150m direct straight route. Bus stops are often NOT at all where they are and whole bus lines don‘t stop at the stops listed.

 

[ncc1701d]

Google Maps is utterly useless in Hong Kong too. Especially the walking maps. It ignores any walkway in Central (of which there are many, used buy millions every day!). So to go from say IFC to QRC they route you over a 1.2km detour instead of the 150m direct straight route. Bus stops are often NOT at all where they are and whole bus lines don‘t stop at the stops listed.

Works fine for me. Uses the over pass walkways. ?‍♂️

no one app is going to be perfect, but Apple maps doesn’t even come close for my needs. I’ve never seen a bus or Tram stop out of place and if so it can be reported as such.

i use HKeMobility app or the citybusNWFB For public transport.

 

[doc james]

iPhone 8 doesn't work with that feature.

I'm curious as to what you think "NFC" is.

I'd got myself in a muddle about NFC and NFC tags. NFC tags could be read by the iPhone X in 2018 but then it appears iOS 13 opened it up to iPhone 7+8 in 2019 but I wasn't aware. Thanks to all who clarified.