How to Use the New iOS 10 Features in Maps App

BY Khamosh Pathak

Published 13 Sep 2016

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Ever since it came out, in iOS 6, Maps is the one app that constantly gets better. Of course, they didn’t set a high bar to begin with, but in iOS 10, Maps is a really good maps and navigation app. If you live in a country like USA, where the maps data is pretty good, you actually might benefit by using Maps app instead of Google Maps. There’s the integrations with other apps, and of course, Siri.

But there’s plenty of new stuff in the Mail app to get excited about. Here’s how to use all the new features in the Mail app in iOS 10.

New Redesign

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Maps app has been redesigned from the ground up. Similar to the Music app, the text is bigger, much clearer.

Also, almost all the navigation items are now in the bottom of the page. So it’s really easy to use with one hand.

Proactive

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I like to call this the drawer. When you launch the Maps app, you’ll see a Control Center like tab floating in the bottom. You can swipe up to expand it. This is the proactive screen. It will tell you where you might want to go, or where you’ve been, and show your favorite locations.

This is a quick way to start navigating somewhere.

Once you do select a location, you’ll now see a big green “Go” button to start navigation which is also a much better visual cue than the older “Start” button in the bottom navigation bar.

Find Your Parked Car

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If you use CarPlay or you connect your iPhone to your car’s Bluetooth system, your iPhone will now be able to remember where you parked your car. You don’t have to do anything manually. As you leave your car, you’ll get a notification saying your parking spot has been marked.

You can go in and edit the location, add a photo or even a note if you want.

You’ll also be able to get directions to the location on your way back.

Read: How To Find Your Parked Car Using Your iPhone Running iOS 10

Better Search

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Search in the new Maps app is much improved. First of all, there’s the big text and icons. Then there are the clustered results for related items. You also get category filters.

Extensions

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It still new, and what you see here will depend on the kinds of apps you have installed, but Maps app now supports extensions. They’re similar to Siri extensions – basic and simple.

Say you tap on a restaurant and are browsing for its information. In this view, you might get ratings from Zomato, an option to reserve a table or to call an Uber to that place, right inside the Maps app view.

Search Along The Route

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When you’re in the navigation view, you’ll now be able to search for important things like petrol stations and cafes without leaving the navigation view.

Pan and Zoom During Navigation

You’ll also finally be able to pan and zoom around when you’re in the navigation view. The new Maps app also does automatic view adjustment for the road ahead.

Avoid Tolls and Motorways

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This a very neat feature. If you’re a frugal person and always want to look for routes that don’t have tolls, you can do turn on a setting to do that in the Maps section in the Settings app.

If you want to take the road less traveled, you can also disable Motorways and explore the backwaters.

Your Favorite Maps Feature

What’s your new favorite feature in the Maps app in iOS 10? Share with us in the comments below.