Garmin, Embark bring public transit navigation to iOS 6 Maps
updated 04:43 pm EDT, Thu September 20, 2012
Third-party features accessible via Maps
Garmin and Embark have announced that their respective iOS apps will bring public transportation features to Apple's new Maps app in iOS 6. Although the core Maps utility does not provide public transit navigation, Apple earlier this year outlined plans to utilize third-party services to expand Maps' functionality beyond vehicle navigation.
"With our recent updates our apps can now serve as an extension to Apple Maps, providing iPhone users advanced navigation capabilities," said Garmin mobile VP Joern Watzke. "This includes our new public transportation functionality as well as many additional premium features that aren't available on free navigation apps."
Embark made a similar announcement, noting that its existing public transit apps have been integrated with the iOS 6 Maps utility. The software, which will provide walking directions and routing for buses and subways in many metropolitan areas, will be available for free and optimized for the iPhone 5.
The iPhone 5 has been generally well received in pre-release reviews, however the Maps app has been a sore point for some users. Amid an ongoing legal war between Apple and companies that have embraced Android, the iPhone maker has diverged from its reliance on Google's Maps app, which provides static directions for vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians and public transit riders. [via AppleInsider]
