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9 hours ago
A good navigation app is one that’s going to give you some options, understanding that there’s more than one way to get from point A to point B, and recognizing that you may have a personal preference. Google Maps already presents you with multiple routes, and can even remember some preferences, like avoiding tolls, or wanting to go with the most eco-friendly route (even if that takes a little longer). During its WWDC 2025 keynote today, Apple revealed some new features for its own Maps app, including a clever route-preference tool that Google might want to think about copying.
With Apple Maps in iOS 26, the app will start paying attention to your regular routine, and use that information to make decisions about the route options it generates for you. If you like to take certain streets, or swing by a destination every time you’re in the area, Maps can take that into account when routing.
Like we’d expect, this isn’t set in stone, and the app will still take current conditions into account, advising you when alternate routes may be a better choice than your normally preferred one — helping you avoid a bad delay, for instance.
In addition to route preferences, Apple Maps is also learning to pay attention to your favorite places, and will start keeping track of what it’s calling Visited Places. This is basically like the “places” view in your Google Maps Timeline, and like Google’s cloud backup this is all end-to-end encrypted in a way that Apple itself can’t see — important if you value your privacy but still appreciate the convenience this kind of insight into your travel offers.
Any big platform event like today’s is going to be rife with accusations of who copied what from whom — some well-warranted, others more spurious. We’re not going to throw any more fuel on that fire right this second, but Google: Maybe think about taking a page or two from the Apple Maps playbook on this one?