Apple Maps Now Available on Android Browsers, but with Limitations

In a notable update, Apple has launched Apple Maps for web access on mobile browsers, opening its navigation service to Android users for the first time. Instead of a dedicated app in the Google Play Store, Android users can access Apple Maps via maps.apple.com. This move reflects Apple's gradual shift towards embracing cross-platform compatibility, albeit with some significant caveats. While the service is usable, it lacks crucial features that are a staple of the native Apple Maps app on iOS devices, such as the ability to log in with an Apple Account to access saved places and certain types of directions. Users have reported that while the web version allows for basic functionalities like searching and getting directions, it does not currently support public transport directions, a crucial aspect for many users. Moreover, there is a beta label still attached to the experience, indicating that it may not yet be fully ready for public consumption. Nonetheless, Apple committed to gradually adding features and expanding support, raising the question of whether Apple Maps could ever truly compete with established giants like Google Maps. As it's unclear how robust the functionality will become in the near future, users may need to manage their expectations. Apple's move may also be influenced by regulatory pressures, particularly from the European Union, to foster greater interoperability among competing platforms. Overall, while the introduction of Apple Maps on Android is a step forward in terms of accessibility, significant limitations remind users of the hurdles Apple faces in creating a truly competitive mapping service.