Apple Maps Upgrade: Apple Just Beefed Up Its Maps App – The Details

Apple Maps Upgrade: It has been discussed time and time again in the past: Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Maps app has struggled to grab market share, thanks to the fact that competitors, including Google Maps, have more to offer.

But this doesn’t mean Apple feels that the game is over. Instead, the Cupertino based company is always looking for new ways to provide consumers with a better experience.

As expected, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is working on several patents related to maps and “finding things” in general. For example, we talked about its parking garage patent yesterday. This may not be directly related to its Maps app, but it goes to show you where the company’s mind is at right now.

There is one interesting patent application that is worth talking about, directly related to Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Maps: Devices and Methods for Comparing and Selecting Alternative Navigation Routes

While the name gives you a pretty good idea of what the app is all about, you can learn more by reviewing the abstract of the patent:

“Devices, methods, and machine-readable media to facilitate intuitive comparison and selection of calculated navigation routes are disclosed. An electronic device for navigation includes a touch-sensitive screen and a processing module for displaying a map, calculating a number or navigation routes simultaneously on the touch-sensitive screen, and receiving a selection of a route. Callouts, or markers for presenting key information about each route, are also displayed discretely on the map. Navigation tiles including key route information and route pictorials can also be created and displayed for each calculated route.”

As you can see, this patent is all about making for a better user experience. This is where Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has been criticized in the past, so the company is putting a lot of time and effort into future development.

According to the patent, the user will have access to a variety of features. For instance, “prior to a route being selected, all available calculated routes may be highlighted with bright colors.” This will give the user the ability to see all of their route options, separated by color, to ensure that the right decision is made.

You cannot blame Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) for wanting to put more time into its Maps app. If the company is able to improve in this area, it can better compete with the likes of Google Maps.

On the following page, you will find a couple images that accompany the patent text: