Apple Developers, Fan Sites Show Off The New Apple Maps & Local Search

Apple developers have had more than a week to play with (and learn) Apple Maps, one of the primary announcements from last week’s Worldwide Developers’ Conference.

One Apple developer recently sent us some screenshots of the Apple Maps app, and several Apple fan sites have already posted videos on YouTube showing their hands-on tests. Some of those photos and videos are below, and should be of great interest to our readers that are invested and/or interested in local and mobile search.

Keep in mind, of course, that this is a beta version of the app, and it could change before iOS 6 is released to the public this fall.

Apple Maps Screenshots

We’re looking mostly at local search/business info here. The videos down below go into more detail about the mapping itself, turn-by-turn directions, flyovers and things like that.

Apple Maps Video

Here are a couple of the better hands-on videos that are available on YouTube. Do a search for ios 6 maps on YouTube for more.

Insanely Great Mac

This is my favorite video overall of the ones I’ve viewed. It goes into good detail about the maps functionality, down to something as specific as reporting problems with the search results. It also shows a business listing for an Apple store in Chicago.

Cult of Mac

In the final minute, this video shows how Apple Maps works with Siri’s local search capabilities to locate restaurants in Cupertino.

CNET

Here’s the actual presentation from Apple’s Scott Forstall during the WWDC event last week, as posted by CNET.

There’s been a fair amount of consternation from users and industry observers about things like public transit and walking directions not being available in Apple Maps. Apple is playing it close to the vest when it comes to plans to add those in before iOS6 launches publicly in the fall.