The Maps app in Mac OS X is a useful tool to pre-plan routes, generate map files for offline usage, send directions to an iPhone, and much more, but one critical cartographic component that’s missing by default from all Maps views is any sort of scale indicator, making it difficult to get an idea of … Read More
The Maps app in Mac OS X makes it simple to share locations with others, even if the location isn’t defined and just in the middle of nowhere. This is a great trick for many reasons, whether to share a nice spot you found in the city, share with your partner where you left the … Read More
The next time you’re using the Maps app in Mac OS X to plot a road trip, a walkabout, get driving directions, or just to map out a route, you may want to skip the printer and opt to send the directions directly over to your iPhone instead. In order for this handy direct feature … Read More
Voice turn by turn navigation and directions are incredibly convenient and easily one of the best features of Apple Maps, but rather than fumbling around with your iPhone while driving, you can rely entirely on Siri. This makes turn-by-turn almost entirely hands free; you give Siri a voice command to start the directions, and then … Read More
Having voice turn-by-turn directions right in your pocket with an iPhone is easily one of the most helpful features of the Maps app for iOS. The navigational assistant will get you just about anywhere you need to go without ever having to look at the phone screen, all you need to do is listen to … Read More
Many urbanites and city dwellers get about by walking, the oldest form of transportation in existence. If you’re one of us who often gets about a concrete jungle by propelling your legs in a forwardly direction, you’ll be pleased to know that the popular mapping applications in iOS have you covered. Both the default Maps … Read More
If you’re planning a drive or some sort of vehicular journey while on your Mac, you can use the Maps app bundled with OS X Mavericks to help avoid annoying traffic, slow downs, road closures, construction work, and accidents by enabling the built-in incident reporter feature. It’s just a click away, but the icon isn’t … Read More
A full featured Apple Maps app is now bundled on all Macs running modern versions of Mac OS. Most people will probably use Maps to get directions and cruise around the globe for virtual tours, but there’s an excellent little feature that allows you to export any regions map as a PDF file. This is … Read More
Visiting a new city, or maybe just a part of town you’re unfamiliar with? If you’re concerned you may forget where you parked your car (or bike, mule, horse, chariot, whatever), just pull out your iPhone at that location and use the Maps app to save the location. This simple trick means you’ll never forget … Read More
Older versions of Google Maps for iOS have native support for the iPad, but perhaps the most useful feature of the new Google Maps app is the ability to cache maps for offline use on the iPhone. It’s really easy to use, so the next time you’re expecting to venture off into an area with … Read More
If you’re hitting the road with your iPhone, you’ll probably be relying on either Apple Maps or Google Maps to help you get to your destination. But before you settle on an uncertain route, remember to check the default routes and compare alternate routes in both mapping apps to find the best directions, and don’t … Read More
You’re probably aware that you can ask Siri for directions, and the personal assistant will route them for you through Apple Maps. This is an excellent feature to use while driving as it keeps you focused, and prevents you from poking around on the screen too much, which also happens to be an increasingly ticketable … Read More
Bilinguals, polyglots, world citizens, foreign language students, and even travelers will be pleased to find that Apple Maps in iOS can be adjusted to show labels in local languages rather than always showing those locations labeled in English. This is a simple settings adjustment within Maps on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, and it … Read More
Google Maps for iPhone has arrived and it’s available to download right now from the App Store. The easy to use app is free and includes an intuitive interface, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, Street View, public transportation directions, and perhaps most important for many users, the routinely accurate Google Mapping data engine. Download Google Maps … Read More
Have you ever wanted a globe in the palm of your hands? Well thanks to your iPhone or iPad you can have a little virtual world and digital globe, right in your hand!
Surely everyone with an iOS device knows that Maps can be zoomed out by using a two-finger pinch gesture, and zoomed in by using a two-finger spread gesture, and repeating either gesture will continue to zoom the screen in or out as desired. While the gestures are pretty quick, you can zoom in or out … Read More
The iOS Maps app has received a fair amount of flack, some of which is completely overblown and some is completely legitimate. One of my personal peeves with iOS Maps is the apparent lack of location data shown on screen when looking at a region, which can appear remarkably sparse when compared to the equivalent … Read More
Apple’s new Maps app includes a really handy feature that lets you rotate the direction of maps on screen by swiveling your fingers, making it easier to follow directions and roads. While the maps are rotating, the compass will keep telling you where North is, as you’ll find when using the turn-by-turn navigation. If you … Read More
