iOS 8 will fix Apple Maps

iOS 8 will fix Apple Maps

Apple has just shipped iOS 7.1, which brings a number of small enhancements and some considerable performance improvements to older devices, but now the way is clear for iOS 8. iOS 8, codenamed Okemo, is currently in development.

Typically, Apple announces the next version of iOS at its developer conference, held each summer. The Maps saga began when Apple dropped Google Maps for its own, homespun version with iOS 6, and the reaction wasn’t exactly overwhelmingly positive.

Apple earned praise for its Maps visual design, but the data was lacking compared to Google, which is understandable given that Google had a massive head start on building its own mapping effort. Rumored new features include updated Maps with better and more accurate backend data, courtesy of recent Apple acquisitions such as BroadMap, Embark and HopStop. Apple is also working on implementing public transportation data into its navigation app.

 This feature will come to cities such as San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles first and then grow to other regions. Apple is also working on a new way to add indoor mapping views. To do this, the company is working on an augmented reality feature that would use the iPhone's compass hardware. This feature would allow users to easily find nearby points of interest.