Many expert Apple users don't know you can track flights directly from Messages on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Being one of the handiest features for regular flight takers, it's a great way of staying up-to-date without having to ask around at the airport and can help keep you on time as you leave the house. 

introduced alongside iOS 17, it's a bit of a secret hack that is incredibly easy to set up.

If you are a regular user of the Messages app, it can add greatly to the experience of flying, by giving you live tracking notifications on tons of flights, with details about landing and take-off times. Most importantly, if there's a delay, it can warn you to stop you from showing up hours earlier than you need. This hack works directly with the best iPhones out there, as well as iPads and Macs.

If you want to stay up-to-date with your next flight, here's how to track flights with Messages on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

What you'll need

To track flights on Messages you'll need an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Here are the best models currently available:

Track flights on iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Messages app. Find the conversation where a user has sent you flight information (you can send it to someone else if you haven't been sent it here). They'll need to type the Airline Name and Flight Number in succession. In most cases, this also works with the airline abbreviation and number
2. Tap the Airline Name/Abbreviation and Flight Number in Messages
3. Choose Preview Flight

That's it. You can now see all of the key details about the flight. 

Track flights on Mac

1. Open the Messages app. Find the conversation where a user has sent you flight information. They'll need to type the Airline Name and Flight Number in succession. In most cases, this also works with the airline abbreviation and number
2. Tap the Airline Name/Abbreviation and Flight Number in Messages to bring up the flight information

We love this hidden Messages trick and often use it when flying abroad for a vacation or for work. It's so easy to do and the kind of thing that once you learn about you'll wonder how you got by without it.

With WWDC 2024 and new software like iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 on the horizon, we can't wait to see what else Apple has up its sleeve and the new tricks we'll be able to do come September when the iPhone 16 is released.

Apple CarPlay is the company's seamless integration method that pairs your iPhone with your vehicle to give you unparalleled access to apps like Apple Music, Maps, Contacts, and more so you can make calls, navigate, and be entertained safely using your iPhone and your car in perfect harmony. 

Apple says that more than 800 vehicle models in the U.S. now support Apple CarPlay, and the company also has big plans to upgrade it in the future. If you're looking for a new car and want to know whether or not it will support CarPlay, here's an exhaustive list!

Which cars support Apple CarPlay?

Abarth

• 2017 - 2023 Abarth 595
• 2017 - 2023 Abarth 695
• 2023 Abarth 500e

Acura

• 2017 - 2023 NSX
• 2018 - 2023 MDX
• 2018 - 2023 TLX
• 2019 - 2022 ILX
• 2019 - 2023 RDX
• 2023 Integra

Alfa Romeo

• 2018 - 2023 Giulia
• 2018 - 2023 Stelvio
• 2023 Tonale

Aston Martin

• 2017 DB9 Volante
• 2017 V8 Vantage
• 2017 V12 Vantage
• 2017 - 2018 Vanquish
• 2017 - 2018 Rapide
• 2021 - 2023 DBX

Audi

• 2017 - 2023 A3
• 2017 - 2023 A4
• 2017 - 2023 A5
• 2017 - 2023 A6
• 2017 - 2023 A7
• 2017 - 2023 Q2
• 2017 - 2023 Q7
• 2017 - 2023 R8
• 2017 - 2023 TT
• 2018 - 2023 Q5
• 2019 - 2023 A1
• 2019 - 2023 A8
• 2019 - 2023 e‑tron
• 2019 - 2023 Q8
• 2020 - 2023 Q3
• 2021 - 2023 e‑tron Sportback
• 2022 - 2023 e‑tron GT
• 2022 - 2023 Q4 e‑tron
• 2022 - 2023 Q4 Sportback e‑tron
• 2023 Q8 e‑tron
• 2023 Q8 Sportback e‑tron

Baojun

• 2018 - 2022 310
• 2018 - 2022 310W
• 2018 - 2022 510
• 2020 - 2023 730

Bentley

• 2017 - 2023 Bentayga
• 2019 - 2023 Continental
• 2020 - 2023 Flying Spur

BMW

• 2017 - 2023 1 Series
• 2017 - 2019 6 Series
• 2017 - 2023 2 Series
• 2017 - 2023 4 Series
• 2017 - 2023 5 Series
• 2017 - 2023 7 Series
• 2018 - 2023 8 Series
• 2017 - 2023 X3
• 2017 - 2023 X4
• 2017 - 2023 X5
• 2017 - 2023 X6
• 2018 - 2023 X7
• 2017 - 2023 3 Series
• 2018 - 2023 X1
• 2018 - 2023 X2
• 2018 - 2023 i3
• 2019 - 2020 i8
• 2019 - 2023 Z4
• 2021 - 2023 1 Series
• 2021 - 2023 2 Series
• 2021 - 2023 3 Series
• 2021 - 2023 4 Series
• 2021 - 2023 5 Series
• 2021 - 2023 6 Series
• 2021 - 2023 8 Series
• 2021 - 2023 X5
• 2021 - 2023 X6
• 2021 - 2023 X7
• 2021 - 2023 X5 M
• 2021 - 2023 X6 M
• 2021 - 2023 Z4
• 2022 - 2023 i4
• 2022 - 2023 iX
• 2022 - 2023 iX1
• 2022 - 2023 iX3
• 2023 i3
• 2023 i7

Borgward

• 2018 - 2020 BX3
• 2018 - 2020 BX4
• 2018 - 2020 BX5
• 2020 BX6

Buick

• 2016 - 2017 Excelle
• 2016 - 2022 LaCrosse
• 2016 - 2022 Regal
• 2017 - 2022 Encore
• 2017 - 2023 Envision
• 2018 - 2023 Enclave
• 2018 - 2023 GT
• 2018 - 2023 GT-MPV
• 2018 - 2023 GL6
• 2020 - 2023 VELITE 6
• 2020 - 2023 GL8 Avenir
• 2020 - 2023 GL8 ES
• 2021 - 2023 GL8 Business Travel Edition
• 2023 Encore GX

BYD

• 2022 - 2023 ATTO3
• 2022 - 2023 YUAN PLUS
• 2021 - 2023 SONG PLUS
• 2022 - 2023 TANG
• 2023 QIN PLUS
• 2023 HALO6/SEAL
• 2023 DLOPHIN
• 2022 - 2023 HAN

Cadillac

• 2016 ELR
• 2016 - 2019 ATS
• 2016 - 2019 ATS‑V
• 2016 - 2019 CTS
• 2016 - 2019 CTS‑V
• 2016 - 2022 CT6
• 2016 - 2022 CT6‑V
• 2016 - 2019 XTS
• 2017 - 2023 XT5
• 2019 - 2023 XT4
• 2020 - 2023 CT4
• 2020 - 2023 CT4‑V
• 2020 - 2023 CT5
• 2020 - 2023 CT5‑V
• 2020 - 2023 XT6
• 2016 - 2023 Escalade / ESV
• 2022 - 2023 CT4‑V Blackwing
• 2022 - 2023 CT5‑V Blackwing
• 2023 Escalade‑V
• 2023 LYRIQ

Chery

• 2017 - 2022 Arrizo 5
• 2017 - 2022 Arrizo 7
• 2017 - 2022 Tiggo 3
• 2017 - 2022 Tiggo 3X
• 2017 - 2022 Tiggo 5X
• 2018 - 2022 Tiggo 2
• 2018 - 2022 Tiggo 4
• 2018 - 2022 Tiggo 8
• 2020 - 2022 Arrizo 6

Chevrolet

• 2016 - 2017 Cavalier
• 2016 - 2019 Volt
• 2016 - 2023 Camaro
• 2016 - 2023 Camaro Convertible
• 2016 - 2023 Colorado
• 2016 - 2023 Corvette
• 2016 - 2023 Corvette Convertible
• 2016 - 2022 Cruze
• 2016 - 2020 Impala
• 2016 - 2023 Malibu
• 2016 - 2023 Sail LOVA
• 2016 - 2023 Silverado
• 2016 - 2023 Silverado HD
• 2016 - 2022 Spark
• 2016 - 2023 Suburban
• 2016 - 2023 Tahoe
• 2017 - 2020 Aveo
• 2017 - 2023 Bolt EV
• 2017 - 2023 Prisma
• 2017 - 2023 S10
• 2017 - 2023 Sonic
• 2017 - 2023 Tracker
• 2017 - 2023 Trax
• 2018 - 2023 Equinox
• 2018 - 2023 Traverse
• 2019 - 2023 Blazer
• 2019 - 2023 Monza
• 2020 - 2023 Captiva
• 2020 - 2023 Trailblazer
• 2022 - 2023 Bolt EUV

Chrysler

• 2017 - 2023 300
• 2018 - 2023 Pacifica
• 2020 - 2021 Voyager

Citroen

• 2016 - 2023 Aircross
• 2016 - 2023 Berlingo Multispace
• 2016 - 2023 C3
• 2016 - 2023 C4
• 2016 - 2023 C4 Picasso
• 2016 - 2023 C5
• 2016 - 2023 C5 Break
• 2016 - 2022 C6
• 2016 - 2022 Jumper
• 2016 - 2022 Jumpy
• 2016 - 2023 Spacetourer
• 2017 - 2022 C3‑AirCross
• 2017 - 2022 C3‑XR
• 2017 - 2022 C4 Cactus
• 2017 - 2022 C4‑L
• 2017 - 2022 C4‑Lounge
• 2017 - 2022 C4 Spacetourer
• 2017 - 2022 C‑Elysée
• 2017 - 2022 C‑Quatre
• 2018 - 2023 Berlingo
• 2018 - 2023 C5 Aircross

Cowin Auto

• 2017 E3

Cupra

• 2022 - 2023 Ateca
• 2022 - 2023 Born
• 2022 - 2023 Leon
• 2022 - 2023 Formento

Datsun

• 2019 - 2022 GO
• 2019 - 2022 GO+

Dodge

• 2017 - 2023 Challenger
• 2017 - 2023 Charger
• 2018 - 2023 Durango
• 2019 - 2021 Journey
• 2023 Hornet

Dongfeng

• 2016 景逸S50
• 2016 - 2017 风行50
• 2016 - 2022 风行X5
• 2016 - 2022 景逸X5
• 2016 - 2022 景逸X6
• 2017 风行SX7
• 2017 风行S50EV
• 2017 景逸X5L
• 2017 景逸S50EV
• 2017 - 2022 风行X6
• 2017 - 2022 风行X7
• 2017 - 2022 风行SX6
• 2017 - 2022 风行F600
• 2017 - 2022 风行M6
• 2017 - 2022 风行F6
• 2017 - 2022 风行V6
• 2017 - 2022 风行M5
• 2017 - 2022 风行F5
• 2017 - 2022 风行V5
• 2017 - 2022 景逸X7
• 2018 - 2022 风行X3
• 2018 - 2022 风行X7L
• 2018 - 2022 风行X7S
• 2018 - 2022 风行S500EV
• 2018 - 2022 景逸X3
• 2018 - 2022 景逸X7S
• 2018 - 2022 景逸X7L

DS Automobiles

• 2016 - 2023 DS 3
• 2016 - 2022 DS 3 Cabrio
• 2016 - 2022 DS 3 Crossback
• 2016 - 2023 DS 4
• 2016 - 2022 DS 5
• 2017 - 2022 DS 4S
• 2017 - 2022 DS 5LS
• 2017 - 2022 DS 6
• 2018 - 2023 DS 7
• 2020 - 2023 DS9

Exeed

• 2020 - 2023 Exeed VX
• 2020 - 2023 Exeed TXL
• 2020 - 2023 Exeed LX

Ferrari

• 2016 FF
• 2016 F12 tdf
• 2016 - 2017 California T
• 2016 - 2017 F12 Berlinetta
• 2016 - 2020 488 GTB
• 2016 - 2020 488 Spider
• 2017 - 2020 GTC4Lusso
• 2018 - 2021 812 Superfast
• 2018 - 2023 Portofino
• 2019 - 2023 Monza SP1
• 2019 - 2023 Monza SP2
• 2020 - 2023 F8 Spider
• 2020 - 2023 F8 Tributo
• 2020 - 2023 SF90 Stradale
• 2021 - 2023 812 GTS
• 2021 - 2023 Roma
• 2021 - 2023 SF90 Spider
• 2022 - 2023 296 GTB
• 2023 296 GTS
• 2023 Daytona SP3
• 2023 Purosangue

Fiat

• 2017 - 2023 500
• 2017 - 2022 500L
• 2017 - 2023 Tipo
• 2018 - 2023 500X
• 2018 - 2023 Argo
• 2021 - 2023 Panda
• 2023 E‑Doblò

Ford

• 2017 - 2019 C‑MAX
• 2017 - 2019 Fiesta
• 2017 - 2019 Flex
• 2017 - 2019 Focus
• 2017 - 2019 Taurus
• 2017 - 2023 Edge
• 2017 - 2023 Escape
• 2017 - 2023 Expedition
• 2017 - 2023 F‑150
• 2017 - 2020 Fusion
• 2017 - 2023 Transit
• 2017 - 2022 Transit Connect
• 2017 - 2023 Mustang
• 2017 - 2023 Super Duty
• 2017 - 2023 Explorer
• 2018 - 2022 EcoSport
• 2018 - 2023 Ford GT
• 2021 - 2023 Mustang Mach‑E
• 2021 - 2023 Bronco
• 2021 - 2023 Bronco Sport
• 2022 - 2023 Evos
• 2022 - 2023 Maverick
• 2023 E‑Transit

Genesis

• 2017 - 2023 G80
• 2020 - 2023 G70
• 2020 - 2023 G90
• 2021 - 2023 GV80
• 2022 - 2023 GV70
• 2022 - 2023 GV60
• 2023 GV60
• 2023 G90

GMC

• 2016 - 2023 Canyon
• 2016 - 2023 Sierra
• 2016 - 2023 Sierra HD
• 2016 - 2023 Yukon
• 2016 - 2023 Yukon XL
• 2017 - 2023 Acadia
• 2018 - 2023 Terrain
• 2022 - 2023 GMC HUMMER EV Pickup
• 2024 GMC HUMMER EV SUV

Haima

• 2017 - 2022 F7
• 2017 - 2022 S5
• 2017 - 2022 S5 young
• 2017 - 2022 S7
• 2018 - 2022 F5

Haval

• 2017 - 2023 H1 Blue‑Brand
• 2017 - 2023 H2 Blue‑Brand
• 2017 - 2023 H2 Red‑Brand
• 2017 - 2023 H6 Blue‑Brand
• 2017 - 2023 H6 Red‑Brand
• 2019 - 2023 F7
• 2020 - 2023 H6N
• 2020 - 2023 HAVAL DARGO

Holden

• 2016 - 2020 Captiva
• 2016 - 2018 Insignia
• 2016 - 2018 Spark
• 2016 - 2020 Colorado
• 2017 - 2020 Astra
• 2017 - 2020 Barina
• 2017 - 2020 Trailblazer
• 2018 - 2020 Commodore
• 2018 - 2020 Equinox
• 2018 - 2020 Trax
• 2019 - 2020 Acadia

Honda

• 2016 - 2023 Accord
• 2016 - 2023 Civic
• 2017 - 2023 Ridgeline
• 2017 - 2023 CR‑V
• 2017 - 2023 Pilot
• 2018 - 2023 Odyssey
• 2019 - 2022 Clarity
• 2018 - 2020 Fit
• 2019 - 2023 HR‑V
• 2019 - 2022 Insight
• 2019 - 2023 Passport

Honda Motorcycles

• 2018 - 2023 Gold Wing
• 2020 - 2023 Africa Twin

Hyundai

• 2015 - 2016 Genesis Sedan
• 2015 - 2018 Azera
• 2015 - 2023 Sonata
• 2016 - 2023 i10
• 2016 - 2023 i30
• 2016 - 2022 i40
• 2016 - 2020 Elantra GT
• 2016 - 2023 Tucson
• 2016 - 2022 Veloster
• 2017 - 2023 Santa Fe
• 2017 - 2020 Ioniq
• 2017 - 2023 Kona
• 2017 - 2019 Santa Fe Sport
• 2017 - 2023 Elantra
• 2019 Santa Fe XL
• 2019 - 2023 Accent
• 2020 - 2023 Nexo
• 2020 - 2023 Palisade
• 2020 - 2023 Venue
• 2021 - 2023 Bayon
• 2022 - 2023 Casper
• 2022 - 2023 Ioniq 5
• 2022 - 2023 SANTA CRUZ
• 2023 Palisade
• 2023 IONIQ 6

Indian Motorcycle

• 2020 - 2023 Challenger
• 2020 - 2023 Chieftain
• 2020 - 2023 Roadmaster

Infiniti

• 2020 - 2023 Q50
• 2020 - 2022 Q60
• 2020 - 2023 QX50
• 2020 - 2023 QX80
• 2022 - 2023 QX55
• 2022 - 2023 QX60

Jaguar

• 2019 - 2023 E‑Pace
• 2019 - 2023 F‑Pace
• 2019 - 2023 I‑Pace
• 2019 - 2020 XE
• 2019 - 2023 XF
• 2019 - 2020 XJ
• 2019 - 2023 F‑Type

Jeep

• 2017 - 2023 Compass
• 2018 - 2023 Grand Cherokee
• 2018 - 2023 Renegade
• 2018 - 2023 Wrangler
• 2020 - 2023 Cherokee
• 2020 - 2023 Gladiator
• 2022 - 2023 Grand Wagoneer
• 2022 - 2023 Wagoneer

Kia

• 2014 - 2023 Soul
• 2015 - 2020 Optima
• 2015 - 2020 Optima Hybrid
• 2015 - 2021 Sedona
• 2015 - 2021 Soul EV
• 2017 - 2020 Cadenza
• 2017 - 2023 Sorento
• 2017 - 2023 Sportage
• 2017 - 2023 Forte
• 2017 - 2023 Niro
• 2017 - 2020 Optima Plug‑In Hybrid
• 2018 - 2023 Niro Plug‑In Hybrid
• 2018 - 2023 Rio
• 2018 - 2023 Stinger
• 2019 - 2020 K900
• 2020 - 2023 Telluride
• 2021 - 2024 Seltos
• 2021 - 2023 K5
• 2021 - 2023 K8
• 2022 - 2023 Carnival
• 2022 - 2023 EV6
• 2023 Telluride
• 2023 Niro
• 2024 Seltos

Lada

• 2021 - 2023 Vesta
• 2021 - 2022 XRAY
• 2021 - 2023 Granta
• 2022 - 2023 Largus

Lamborghini

• 2017 Centenario
• 2018 - 2023 Aventador
• 2019 - 2023 Huracán
• 2019 - 2023 Urus

Land Rover

• 2019 - 2023 Discovery
• 2019 - 2023 Discovery Sport
• 2019 - 2023 Range Rover
• 2019 - 2023 Range Rover Evoque
• 2019 - 2023 Range Rover Sport
• 2019 - 2023 Range Rover Velar
• 2020 - 2023 Defender

Lexus

• 2019 - 2023 ES
• 2019 - 2023 LC
• 2019 - 2023 LS
• 2019 - 2023 NX
• 2019 - 2023 RC
• 2019 - 2023 RC F
• 2019 - 2022 UX
• 2020 - 2023 RX
• 2021 - 2023 ES Hybrid
• 2021 - 2023 IS
• 2021 - 2023 LC Convertible
• 2021 - 2023 LC Hybrid
• 2021 - 2023 LS Hybrid
• 2021 - 2023 NX Hybrid
• 2021 - 2023 RX Hybrid
• 2021 - 2023 UX Hybrid
• 2022 - 2023 GX
• 2023 IS 500
• 2023 NX Plug‑in Hybrid EV
• 2023 RZ 450e
• 2023 RX 500h

LDV

• 2015 - 2023 G10
• 2017 - 2019 EV80
• 2017 - 2023 D90
• 2017 - 2023 T60
• 2018 - 2023 V80
• 2019 - 2023 DELIVER 9
• 2020 - 2023 eDELIVER 9

Lifan

• 2017 - 2022 迈威
• 2017 - 2022 轩朗
• 2017 - 2022 X70
• 2017 - 2022 X80

Lincoln

• 2017 - 2018 MKS
• 2017 - 2018 MKX
• 2017 - 2019 MKC
• 2017 - 2019 MKT
• 2017 - 2020 MKZ
• 2017 - 2023 Navigator
• 2017 - 2020 Continental
• 2018 - 2023 Nautilus
• 2020 - 2023 Aviator
• 2020 - 2023 Corsair

Lynk & Co

• 2021 - 2023 Lynk & Co 01

Mahindra

• 2018 - 2022 Alturas G4
• 2018 - 2023 Marazzo
• 2019 - 2023 Scorpio
• 2019 - 2023 XUV300
• 2019 - 2022 XUV500
• 2020 - 2023 Thar
• 2023 XUV400
• 2023 XUV700

Maserati

• 2017 - 2023 Ghibli
• 2017 - 2023 Levante
• 2017 - 2023 Quattroporte
• 2018 - 2021 GT Convertible
• 2018 - 2020 GranTurismo
• 2022 - 2023 MC20
• 2023 GranTurismo
• 2023 Grecale

Maxus

• 2015 - 2023 G10
• 2017 - 2019 EV80
• 2017 - 2023 D90
• 2017 - 2023 T60
• 2018 - 2023 V80
• 2019 - 2023 DELIVER 9
• 2020 - 2023 eDELIVER 9

Mazda

• 2018 - 2022 Mazda6
• 2019 - 2023 CX‑5
• 2019 - 2023 CX‑8
• 2019 - 2023 CX‑9
• 2019 - 2023 MX‑5
• 2019 - 2023 Mazda3
• 2020 - 2023 CX‑3
• 2020 - 2023 CX30
• 2020 - 2023 Mazda2
• 2021 - 2023 MX‑30
• 2022 - 2023 CX‑50
• 2022 - 2023 CX‑60
• 2024 CX‑90

Mercedes-Benz

• 2016 - 2023 A‑Class
• 2016 - 2023 B‑Class
• 2016 - 2023 CLA‑Class
• 2016 - 2023 CLS‑Class
• 2016 - 2023 E‑Class Cabriolet
• 2016 - 2023 E‑Class Coupe
• 2016 - 2023 GLA‑Class
• 2016 - 2023 GLE‑Class
• 2017 - 2020 X‑Class
• 2017 - 2023 E‑Class
• 2017 - 2023 GLS‑Class
• 2017 - 2023 SL‑Class
• 2018 Sprinter
• 2018 - 2020 Vito
• 2018 - 2023 GLC‑Class
• 2018 - 2023 S‑Class
• 2019 - 2023 C‑Class
• 2020 Metris
• 2020 V‑Class
• 2020 - 2023 GLB‑Class
• 2020 - 2023 GLS‑Class
• 2021 Citan
• 2021 - 2023 EQA‑Class
• 2021 - 2023 EQC‑Class
• 2022 - 2023 EQB‑Class
• 2022 - 2023 EQS‑Class
• 2023 - 2023 EQE‑Class

MG

• 2016 GT
• 2016 - 2023 MG5
• 2017 - 2023 RX5
• 2017 - 2022 GS
• 2017 - 2022 ZP
• 2017 - 2022 ZS
• 2019 - 2023 Hector
• 2019 - 2022 MG
• 2019 - 2023 MG Ei5
• 2019 - 2022 HS
• 2019 - 2023 ZS EV
• 2020 - 2022 eHS
• 2020 - 2022 Gloster
• 2020 - 2022 MG3
• 2022 - 2023 MG4
• 2021 - 2023 Marvel R
• 2021 - 2023 Astor

Mini

• 2018 - 2023 Clubman
• 2018 - 2023 Countryman
• 2019 - 2023 Convertible
• 2019 - 2023 Hardtop 2 Door
• 2019 - 2023 Hardtop 4 Door

Mitsubishi Motors

• 2017 i‑MiEV
• 2016 - 2023 Pajero
• 2016 - 2023 Pajero Sport
• 2016 - 2023 Mirage
• 2016 - 2023 Mirage G4
• 2017 - 2023 Outlander
• 2017 - 2023 Outlander PHEV
• 2017 - 2023 ASX
• 2017 - 2023 Triton
• 2017 - 2023 Delica D:2
• 2017 - 2023 Delica D:2 Custom
• 2018 - 2023 Eclipse Cross
• 2023 Xpander

Nissan

• 2017 i‑MiEV
• 2016 - 2023 Pajero
• 2016 - 2023 Pajero Sport
• 2016 - 2023 Mirage
• 2016 - 2023 Mirage G4
• 2017 - 2023 Outlander
• 2017 - 2023 Outlander PHEV
• 2017 - 2023 ASX
• 2017 - 2023 Triton
• 2017 - 2023 Delica D:2
• 2017 - 2023 Delica D:2 Custom
• 2018 - 2023 Eclipse Cross
• 2023 Xpander

Opel

• 2016 - 2020 ADAM
• 2016 - 2023 Astra
• 2016 - 2023 Corsa
• 2016 - 2023 Insignia
• 2016 - 2020 KARL
• 2017 - 2022 Ampera‑e
• 2017 - 2023 Crossland X
• 2017 - 2023 Mokka
• 2017 - 2023 Zafira
• 2018 - 2023 Combo Life
• 2018 - 2023 Grandland

Peugeot

• 2016 - 2023 208
• 2016 - 2023 2008
• 2016 - 2023 308S
• 2016 - 2023 3008
• 2016 - 2023 4008
• 2016 - 2023 408
• 2017 - 2023 301
• 2017 - 2023 308
• 2017 - 2023 308 SW
• 2017 - 2023 508
• 2017 - 2023 5008
• 2016 - 2023 Expert
• 2016 - 2023 Partner Tepee
• 2016 - 2023 Traveller
• 2018 - 2023 Rifter

Polaris

• 2021 - 2023 Slingshot

Polestar

• 2020 - 2023 Polestar 1
• 2021 - 2023 Polestar 2

Porsche

• 2017 - 2023 718
• 2017 - 2023 Panamera
• 2017 - 2023 Macan
• 2017 - 2023 Cayenne
• 2017 - 2023 911
• 2020 - 2023 Taycan

Qoros

• 2017 - 2022 Young
  

Ram

• 2018 - 2023 Ram 1500
• 2018 - 2023 Ram 2500
• 2018 - 2023 Ram 3500
• 2018 - 2022 Ram 4500

Renault

• 2017 - 2023 Clio
• 2017 - 2023 Espace
• 2017 - 2022 Kadjar
• 2017 - 2023 Mégane
• 2017 - 2023 Mégane Estate
• 2017 - 2022 Scénic
• 2017 - 2023 Grand Scénic
• 2017 - 2022 Talisman
• 2017 - 2022 Talisman Estate
• 2018 - 2023 Koleos
• 2018 - 2022 Fluence
• 2019 - 2020 Twingo
• 2020 - 2023 Arkana
• 2020 - 2023 Captur
• 2021 - 2023 Kangoo
• 2021 - 2023 Zoe E‑Tech
• 2022 - 2023 Traffic
• 2023 Austral
• 2023 Kangoo E‑Tech
• 2023 Megane E‑Tech
• 2023 Twingo E‑Tech

Roewe

• 2016 - 2023 RX5
• 2017 - 2023 eRX5
• 2017 - 2023 RX3
• 2017 - 2023 i6
• 2019 - 2021 i5

Rolls-Royce

• 2020 - 2023 Cullinan
• 2020 - 2022 Dawn
• 2020 - 2023 Ghost
• 2020 - 2023 Phantom
• 2020 - 2023 Wraith
• 2023 Spectre

Seat

• 2016 - 2023 Alhambra
• 2016 - 2023 Ibiza
• 2016 - 2023 Leon
• 2016 - 2023 Toledo
• 2017 - 2023 Ateca
• 2018 - 2023 Arona
• 2020 - 2023 Tarraco

Skoda

• 2016 - 2017 Yeti
• 2016 - 2023 Fabia
• 2016 - 2023 Octavia
• 2016 - 2022 Rapid
• 2016 - 2023 Superb
• 2017 - 2023 Karoq
• 2017 - 2023 Kodiaq
• 2017 - 2023 Scala
• 2018 - 2023 Kamiq
• 2020 - 2023 Enyaq iV
• 2023 Enyaq Coupé iV
• 2023 Fabia

Subaru

• 2017 - 2023 Impreza
• 2018 - 2023 BRZ
• 2018 - 2023 Crosstrek
• 2018 - 2023 Legacy
• 2018 - 2023 Outback
• 2019 - 2023 Ascent
• 2019 - 2023 Forester
• 2019 - 2023 WRX
• 2019 - 2022 WRX STI
• 2023 Solterra

Suzuki

• 2016 - 2023 Baleno
• 2016 - 2023 Ciaz
• 2016 - 2023 Hustler
• 2016 - 2023 Ignis
• 2016 - 2023 Lapin
• 2016 - 2023 Solio
• 2016 - 2023 Solio Bandit
• 2016 - 2023 Spacia
• 2016 - 2023 Spacia Custom
• 2016 - 2023 SX4 S‑CROSS
• 2016 - 2023 Vitara
• 2018 - 2023 Dzire
• 2018 - 2023 Jimny
• 2018 - 2023 Swift
• 2023 S‑Cross

Tank

• 2020 - 2023 TANK 300

Tata

• 2017 - 2023 Nexon
• 2019 - 2022 Hexa
• 2019 - 2023 Tiago
• 2019 - 2023 Tigor
• 2020 - 2023 Altroz
• 2020 - 2023 Harrier
• 2021 - 2023 Punch
• 2021 - 2023 Safari

Toyota

• 2018 - 2022 Aygo
• 2019 - 2022 Avalon
• 2019 - 2023 Corolla Hatchback
• 2019 - 2023 Camry
• 2019 - 2023 C‑HR
• 2019 - 2023 RAV4
• 2019 - 2023 Sienna
• 2020 - 2021 86
• 2020 - 2023 4Runner
• 2020 - 2023 Corolla
• 2020 - 2023 Highlander
• 2020 - 2023 Prius
• 2020 - 2023 Prius Prime
• 2020 - 2023 Sequoia
• 2020 - 2023 GR Supra
• 2020 - 2023 Tacoma
• 2020 - 2023 Tundra
• 2020 - 2023 Yaris
• 2021 - 2023 Avanza
• 2021 - 2023 Mirai
• 2021 - 2023 Venza
• 2022 - 2023 Corolla Cross
• 2022 - 2023 GR86
• 2022 - 2023 Voxy
• 2023 Aygo X
• 2023 bZ4X
• 2023 Crown
• 2023 GR Corolla
• 2024 Grand Highlander

Vauxhall

• 2016 - 2020 ADAM
• 2016 - 2023 Astra
• 2016 - 2023 Corsa
• 2016 - 2023 Insignia
• 2016 - 2022 Viva
• 2017 - 2022 Ampera‑e
• 2017 - 2023 Crossland‑x
• 2017 - 2023 Grandland
• 2017 - 2023 Mokka
• 2017 - 2023 Zafira

Volkswagen

• 2016 Spacefox
• 2016 - 2018 CC
• 2016 - 2018 Scirocco
• 2016 - 2023 Amarok
• 2016 - 2019 Beetle
• 2016 - 2019 Beetle Cabriolet
• 2016 - 2023 Golf R
• 2016 - 2023 Caddy
• 2016 - 2023 California
• 2016 - 2023 Caravelle
• 2016 - 2021 e‑Golf
• 2016 - 2021 Fox
• 2016 - 2023 Golf
• 2016 - 2023 Golf Cabriolet
• 2016 - 2023 Golf SportsVan
• 2016 - 2023 Golf Variant
• 2016 - 2023 Golf SportWagen
• 2016 - 2023 GTI
• 2016 - 2023 Jetta
• 2016 - 2023 Lamando
• 2016 - 2023 Multivan
• 2016 - 2022 Passat Variant
• 2016 - 2023 Polo
• 2016 - 2022 Sharan
• 2016 - 2023 Tiguan
• 2016 - 2023 Touran
• 2016 - 2023 Transporter
• 2016 - 2022 Passat
• 2017 - 2023 Atlas
• 2017 - 2023 Crafter
• 2017 - 2023 CrossFox
• 2017 - 2023 Gol
• 2017 - 2023 Saveiro
• 2017 - 2023 Voyage
• 2018 - 2023 Arteon
• 2018 - 2023 Bora
• 2018 - 2023 Magotan
• 2018 - 2023 Sagitar
• 2018 - 2023 T‑Roc
• 2021 - 2023 ID.3
• 2021 - 2023 ID.4
• 2022 - 2023 Taos
• 2022 - 2023 ID.5
• 2022 - 2023 ID.6
• 2022 - 2023 Talagon
• 2023 ID.Buzz

Volvo

• 2016 - 2023 XC90
• 2017 - 2023 S90
• 2017 - 2023 V90
• 2018 - 2023 XC60
• 2019 - 2023 S60
• 2019 - 2023 V60
• 2019 - 2023 XC40
• 2022 - 2023 C40 Recharge

Wey

• 2017 - 2023 VV5
• 2017 - 2023 VV7
• 2018 - 2023 VV6

After ten years of waiting for some inkling of what might be happening with Apple's attempt to join the electric car market, we finally have some news — and alas, it's not good if you've been looking forward to an iPhone with four wheels. In late February 2024, according to Bloomberg, Apple canceled R&D into the car, moving some 2000 of its staff over to its generative AI project.

Does this mean that the Apple Car is done for good? We're going to hedge our bets and say 'yes'. Apple will still be involved in car things, however, with the continued development of CarPlay and its use in future electric vehicles from other auto manufacturers.

So Apple Car is no more: But if you want to learn more about what it could have been, then read more below — it had some interesting ideas and there where rumors aplenty before AI came along to spoil the fun.

What exactly is the Apple Car?

It was once thought that Apple was making a car, then just an "autonomous driving platform", now it seems rumors have swung back round to the former. From Bloomberg:

"The Cupertino, California-based technology giant has a small team of hardware engineers developing drive systems, vehicle interior, and external car body designs with the goal of eventually shipping a vehicle."

From a report in January:

"The first Apple Cars will not be designed to have a driver, said one source with knowledge of the current plan. These will be autonomous, electric vehicles designed to operate without a driver and focused on the last mile. That could mean Apple cars, at least initially, could focus on package food delivery operations and firms incorporating robotaxis."

Recent rumors Apple Car could have been built around Hyundai's E-GMP electric vehicle platform seemed to reiterate that Apple was planning to release an actual vehicle, as opposed to some kind of autonomous driving platform that could be licensed to existing carmakers.

Before cancelation, there was evidence that the Apple Car was a real working device, making its development halting sting that bit more.

What will the Apple Car look like?

Apple had made and applied for about 250 relating to the Apple Car, but details about the design of the vehicle where murky. 

One indicator of what we could have expected from the design of the vehicle was to look at the people Apple is hiring to work on the car. The company hired Luigi Taraborrelli, a 20-year veteran of Lamborghini, to help lead the design of its autonomous electric vehicle. The executive was one of the top-level managers on the Apple Car project, then led by Kevin Lynch, Apple's executive best known for his work on the Apple Watch. 

Before Apple, Taraborrelli worked on a number of cars for Lamborghini including the Urus, Huracan, and Aventador. That could indicate that Apple is looking for something bold and new regarding the design of its electric vehicle.

A report from Bloomberg in December of 2022 said that the company had not landed on a design for the Apple Car and that it was still in the prototype phase.

Who will manufacture the Apple Car?

Apple had reportedly held talks with numerous car manufacturers, most notably Kia and its parent company Hyundai, about producing an Apple Car, possibly even in the United States. At least six manufacturers where said to be in play, and Kia could have even made the car at its US factory in Georgia.

It is said that Apple wouldn't have used its traditional manufacturing partners from Taiwan or China (at least for final assembly), instead leaning on established car manufacturers to finalize parts of its own design.

What will the features of the Apple Car be?

Thanks to rumors about a possible partnership with Hyundai, we had a pretty detailed picture of what an Apple Car could have been like in terms of power, speed, range, and more. According to Hyundai, the E-GMP platform is good for zero to 100kph in less than 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 260kph (161mph).

The E-GMP's batteries can reportedly provide a range of over 500km on a single full charge and can be charged to 80% capacity in just 18 minutes.

The E-GMP can be used as the base for any number of recognizable car shapes thanks to its modular design. So Apple Car could have been a sedan, an SUV, or anything in between!

One thing is for sure: Apple had acquired an absolute ton of patents in order to build its electric car. According to research from Nikkei and an analytics firm called Intellectual Property Landscape, Apple applied for and published 248 patents related to the automotive industry. The patents range from self-driving, seats, suspension, and "vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology."

A report from Bloomberg in December of 2022 said that the car was expected to be capable of full self-driving on the highway, potentially enabling riders to watch a movie or play a game in that scenario. It was also expected to feature a number of cloud-based solutions that will be powered by Amazon Web Services. While Apple had originally tried to make a Level 5 autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals for the launch, it has scaled back that effort due to the limits of current technology.

When will the Apple Car be released?

As of February 2024, Apple Car is dead. It lives no more — we'll never get one. Instead, we can wait patiently for whatever generative AI the team that once worked on the project can cook up.

Apple Car: A history

Apple Car's story has evolved significantly over the last few years, and we know much more now than we did even just a few months ago. Here's a look back at some of the rumors and stories that have surrounded Apple Car over the years.

February 28, 2024: The Apple Car project is over

From Bloomberg:

Apple Inc. is canceling a decadelong effort to build an electric car, according to people with knowledge of the matter, abandoning one of the most ambitious projects in the history of the company.

Apple made the disclosure internally Tuesday, surprising the nearly 2,000 employees working on the project, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the announcement wasn’t public. The decision was shared by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Kevin Lynch, a vice president in charge of the effort, according to the people.

Citing the slowing sales of electric cars and the cost of developing an entirely new one, Apple has mothballed the electric car project that it's been nursing for the last 15 years. So long sweet prince, we never got to know you.

January 30, 2018: Second Project Titan employee charged with stealing secrets for Chinese competitor

Again. From Bloomberg:

An Apple Inc. hardware engineer was charged by the U.S. with stealing driverless car secrets for a Chinese company, the second such case since July.The company discovered that Jizhong Chen, who was hired in 2018, had taken photographs inside a secret work space and had downloaded 2,000 files, including manuals and schematics for the robocar project, according to a complaint in federal court in San Francisco. Prosecutors said Apple considered disclosure of the data to be enormously damaging. When questioned, Chen didn't tell Apple he had applied for a job with a China-based autonomous vehicle company, according to the complaint. He informed Apple this month that he intended to travel to China to visit his ill father.

Competition with China will only intensify and the opportunities for people with no honor to abuse that competition, in multiple ways and directions, will only grow.

January 26, 2018: Apple reduces Project Titan down to small team size

Apple has made some staffing changes to it's Project Titan, which many refer to as the Apple Car but is really a more encompassing autonomous technologies project.

From CNBC:

Apple dismissed just over 200 employees this week from Project Titan, its stealthy autonomous vehicle group, people familiar with the matter told CNBC. An Apple spokesperson acknowledged the layoffs and said the company still sees opportunity in the space: We have an incredibly talented team working on autonomous systems and associated technologies at Apple. As the team focuses their work on several key areas for 2019, some groups are being moved to projects in other parts of the company, where they will support machine learning and other initiatives, across all of Apple, the spokesperson said. We continue to believe there is a huge opportunity with autonomous systems, that Apple has unique capabilities to contribute, and that this is the most ambitious machine learning project ever.

John Gruber, writing for Daring Fireball:

Some perspective here. Project Titan is big — there are still a lot of people working on it. Doug Field's message to the troops is that he thinks smaller teams do better work. This is not an indication that company is losing conviction on autonomous systems; its Field structuring the project the way he wants it. Apple's statement is — as usual — true: the company is full steam ahead on this autonomous stuff.

Moving people around like this sucks. No company is great at it, even Apple. Here's hoping everyone finds a new posting, in Apple or elsewhere.

December 17, 2018: Apple poaches glasses and car designer Andrew Kim from Tesla

A while back it was all about people leaving Apple for Tesla. Now, it's increasingly about people leaving Tesla for Apple. Blips or trends, it's hard to say.

In this case, it's designer Andrew Kim. According to 9to5Mac:

After spending three years in design at Microsoft, most recently working on the company's HoloLens, Andrew Kim left for Tesla in 2016. He worked on about all of the company's vehicles, including the upcoming Model Y, next-gen Roadster, and Tesla Semi. Last week, Kim shared on Instagram about his first day at Apple with his title on LinkedIn set as Designer.

Let the Mixed-Reality Car rumors fly!

August 31, 2018: Nissan Leaf crashes into Apple Car — Humans 0 : AI 1

Apple has been testing its autonomous driving system for a while now in specially outfitted Lexus SUVs. On August 24, a Nissan Leaf decided to have a go at one.

From the California DMV, via MacRumors:

On August 24th at 2:58 p.m., an Apple vehicle in autonomous mode was rear-ended while preparing to merge onto Lawrence Expressway South from Kifer Road. The Apple test vehicle was traveling less than 1 mph waiting for a safe gap to complete the merge when a 2016 Nissan Leaf contacted the Apple test vehicle at approximately 15 mph. Both vehicles sustained damage and no injuries were reported by either party.

No fault on Apple or its Project Titan-mobile here. Humans, watch where you're going!

August 15, 2018: Apple Car release date rumored for 2023-2025

Apple supply-chain exfiltrator extraordinaire, Kuo Ming-Chi of TF International Securities, has sent out a new note to investors and, as usual, it's making the rounds.

From MacRumors:

We expect that Apple Car, which will likely be launched in 2023–2025, will be the next star product. The reasons for this are as follows: (1) Potentially huge replacement demands are emerging in the auto sector because it is being redefined by new technologies. The case is the same as the smartphone sector 10 years ago; (2) Apple's leading technology advantages (e.g. AR) would redefine cars and differentiate Apple Car from peers' products; (3) Apple's service will grow significantly by entering the huge car finance market via Apple Car, and (4) Apple can do a better integration of hardware, software, and service than current competitors in the consumer electronics sector and potential competitors in the auto sector.

Because Kuo's sources are tied to the supply chain, and the Apple Car isn't in any stage of production yet, it's hard to tell where he got those numbers from. Still, we're still years away from AR and ML technologies being ready for even semi-autonomous mainstream vehicles, so as guesses go it's certainly not the worst.

When combined with the upcoming Apple AR Glasses and growing services revenue, Kuo thinks it could drive the new trillion-dollar company to a 2 trillion dollar valuation.

As a reminder, though: Nothing unshipped exists. Expect those trillions only when you see them.

August 9, 2018: From Mac to Tesla and back to Titan: Doug Field returns to Apple

Doug Field, who helped run Mac hardware at Apple before going to Tesla for the Model, 3 is back at Apple and working on Apple's car project, Titan.

From Daring Fireball:

Here's some interesting hiring news I've heard through the little birdie grapevine:1 Doug Field — who left Tesla in May after overseeing Model 3 production — has returned to Apple, working in Bob Mansfield's project Titan group. Apple spokesperson Tom Neumayr confirmed with me only that Field has returned to Apple, but no one should find it surprising that he's working on Titan. Field previously worked at Apple as a VP of Mac hardware engineering before leaving for Tesla 2013. So he spent years working closely (and successfully) with Mansfield on Mac hardware, and spent the last few years as senior VP of engineering at the world's premiere electric carmaker. That makes Field a seemingly perfect fit for Titan.

And, yeah, Gruber's also got the prerequisite Bob and Doug joke...

December 21, 2017: Apple granted patent for autonomous vehicle navigation

Apple has been granted a patent on a self-driving vehicle navigation system. The patent outlines ways to create more efficient self-driving vehicles using data stored on the vehicle in question.

From CNBC:

The patent claims that many autonomous vehicle systems base their navigation on static information — like maps — and use sensors to identify real-time information on the elements that change from day to day, as a way of minimizing the intense computing power needed to drive a car. Instead, Apple's system would be able to direct the car independently of any data received from any devices external to the vehicle, and any navigation data stored locally to the vehicle prior to any monitoring of navigation. Apple's technology proposes a computerized model for predicting routes using sensors and processors in the vehicle.

December 10, 2017: Apple's on the hunt for AI engineers

Wired reported midday Saturday on a recent Apple-hosted professional lunch for AI engineers. Hosted by Apple's director of artificial intelligence, Ruslan Salakhutdinov, the lunch revealed several results from the company's AI projects:

The scale and scope of any car project at Apple remains unclear. Salakhutdinov didn't say how the projects he discussed Friday fit into any wider effort in automated driving, and a company spokesman declined to elaborate. Salakhutdinov showed data from one project previously disclosed in a research paper posted online last month. It trained software to identify pedestrians and cyclists using 3-D scanners called lidars used on most autonomous vehicles.

August 23, 2017: Apple planning autonomous shuttle between Palo Alto and Infinite Loop

The New York Times has recapitulated a lot of the recent history of Apple's car project, codenamed Titan. There's a new bit, though, that focuses on the idea of autonomous shuttle between Paulo Alto and Apple's Infinite Loop campus.

Apple's testing vehicles will carry employees between its various Silicon Valley offices. The new effort is called PAIL, short for Palo Alto to Infinite Loop, the address of the company's main office in Cupertino, Calif., and a few miles down the road from Palo Alto, Calif. Apple's in-house shuttle service, which isn't operational yet, follows Waymo, Uber and a number of car companies that have been testing driverless cars on city streets around the world.

Autonomous shuttles is an idea that was bandied about for a while both inside the project and out. It'll be interesting to see when and how they go ahead.

June 13, 2017: Tim Cook confirms Apple is working on the mother of all AI projects — autonomous driving

Apple doesn't talk about special projects or unannounced products, except Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, just did. Specifically about Titan, Apple's long-rumored autonomous driving — née Apple Car — initiative.

From Bloomberg:

We're focusing on autonomous systems. It's a core technology that we view as very important. We sort of see it as the mother of all AI projects. It's probably one of the most difficult A.I. projects actually to work on.

Cook wouldn't say whether Apple would produce an "Apple Car" for sale or for ride-sharing, or partner with another manufacturer, service, or several.

We'll see where it takes us. We're not really saying from a product point of view what we will do.

What Apple is currently doing is focusing on everything it takes to ingest the world around us and understanding what it means in the context of navigating it and actually driving it. In other words, getting from where you are to where you're going, all through an autonomous system.

Where that system ends up, and the experience around it, we'll have to wait and see.

April 28, 2017: Apple proposes changes to California's self-driving car testing rules

Apple is looking to make some changes to California's self-driving car testing policy. As first noted by Reuters, Apple is looking for California to clarify or change its positions on certain testing regulations in order to make easier for self-driving vehicles to reach public acceptance.

From Apple's letter:

Apple believes that public acceptance is essential to the advancement of automated vehicles. Access to transparent and intuitive data on the safety of the vehicles being tested will be central to gaining public acceptance. However, the current and proposed disengagement reporting requirements do not achieve this result.

In particular, Apple takes issue with current rules about disengagement reporting and testing without a safety driver, along with some definitions. In the case of definitions Apple seems to be seeking these changes so that these regulations don't hinder the company's development of additional technologies that could improve self-driving vehicles.

April 21, 2017: Apple's car project, Titan, ready to train testers

Last year Apple pivoted its Project Titan from a full-on car project to a platform designed to enable autonomous vehicles, whether they're eventually made by Apple or a partner manufacturer or ride-sharing service. It looks like that platform is now ready for early testing.

Kif Leswing, writing for Business Insider:

The documents obtained by Business Insider include a Development Platform Specific Training as well as details about an autonomous-vehicle system called the Apple Automated System. Among the key training issues are instructions on how to regain manual control of an autonomous car if necessary. According to the training packet, Apple's self-driving car uses a Logitech wheel and pedals to actuate drive by wire, and it supports one person at a time.

The drivers, mostly Ph.D's involved with the machine learning program, have to pass seven tests to be considered trained to, among other things, take back control of the system should they ever need to.

April 14, 2017: Apple granted permit to publicly test self-driving cars in California

Apple has officially been granted a permit to test driverless vehicles in the state of California. According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the state has issued a permit to Apple. Additionally, as of April 14, 2017, Apple is the most recent recipient of such a permit.

Via Business Insider:

The California DMV updated its website on Friday, adding Apple's name to 29 other companies testing self-driving vehicles in the state, including Tesla and Google.

July 28, 2016: Apple poaches QNX CEO Dan Dodge to head up car software

Apple has reportedly hired Dan Dodge, formerly of BlackBerry-owned QNX, to work on Project Titan, the company's electric car project.

From Bloomberg:

Dan Dodge, the founder and former chief executive officer of QNX, the operating system developer that BlackBerry acquired in 2010, joined Apple earlier this year, the people said. He is part of a team headed by Bob Mansfield, who, since taking over leadership of the cars initiative -- dubbed Project Titan -- has heralded a shift in strategy, according to a person familiar with the plan. 

Apple previously hired the head of QNX software to run Core OS, which makes foundational software for both macOS and iOS. Apple has also reportedly raided QNX talent in Ottawa, setting up an office in the same area to work on Apple's own automotive software project.

July 25, 2016: Bob Mansfield takes over Project Titan

From the Wall Street Journal:

Apple Inc. has tapped a highly-regarded senior executive who helped bring to market many of Apple's signature products to oversee its fledgling automobile project, according to people familiar with the matter. Bob Mansfield had stepped back from a day-to-day role at the company a few years ago, after leading the hardware engineering development of products including the MacBook Air laptop computer, the iMac desktop computer, and the iPad tablet. Apple now has Mr. Mansfield running the company's secret autonomous, electric-vehicle initiative, code-named Project Titan, the people said.

Titan was previously under senior vice president of hardware engineering, Dan Riccio who took over part of Mansfield's duties at the top of Apple's hardware-based organization back in 2012. (Senior vice president of hardware technologies, Johny Srouji, took over platform architecture.)

Despite downshifting from his day-to-day responsibilities, Mansfield has still been seen regularly at Apple's Infinite Loop campus, and has remained involved with the company. Following a project review last month, it's been rumored Apple felt bringing Mansfield — who helped launch iMac, MacBook, iPhone and iPad — to what comes next, would give Titan a lead with both enormous experience and the benefit of singular focus.

It seems like a win/win all around. And that's important at a place like Apple where senior vice presidents have plates already beyond full.

Beyond whether or not Apple ever ships a car, project Titan is incredibly important to Apple's culture and technology going forward. Even with Mansfield at the steering wheel, an Apple Car based on project Titan, isn't expected to launch for several or more years. What an Apple Car looks like, how autonomous it is, at which markets it's targeted, and how Apple will both sell and "sell" a car also remain fascinating questions.

What you need to know

• Someone wanted to add CarPlay support to their Tesla Model 3 and used an Android tablet to do it.
• An Amazon Fire 8 Plus was used as a replacement for Tesla's big screen.
• The whole thing cost around $150.

Elon Musk's Tesla might make some of the most popular electric cars in the world but it still refuses to add a basic feature that owners have been crying out for in recent years. Tesla refuses to add CarPlay support, leaving some to take matters into their own hands. Like using an Android tablet as a workaround, for example.

Yes, you read that right — someone used an Android-powered tablet to get Apple CarPlay to work in their Tesla Model 3.

That someone was Reddit user euge_lee and they shared photos of the finished project for the world to see. They also shared information on how this all came about, with the Amazon Fire 8 Plus tablet powering the entire thing. At just $59, the tablet is no iPad Pro competitor but as an inexpensive way to get CarPlay into an EV, it works surprisingly well.

Alongside that tablet a CarLinkIt dongle was required — $58 for the wireless version direct from China, apparently — while a magnetic mount was also on the shopping list. An OTG USB cable, wireless charger, and Lightning cable rounded out the build.

Set up sounds like it was easier than you might think and there are more details over on Reddit, too. The short version is that the Android tablet connects to the Model 3 via Bluetooth, with an iPhone connected to that tablet wirelessly thanks to the dongle. That connection handles CarPlay data, the interface, and audio.

So, with all the work done and everything up and running, how did the project turn out? For less than $150 all-in, not bad at all!

Apple recently unveiled iOS 16 and a refreshed CarPlay experience while saying that 80% of car buyers won't consider a new vehicle if it doesn't support the feature. Tesla fans clearly device that the lack of CarPlay is a trade-off they're willing to make. But some aren't happy to just live without one of the best iPhone features offered to drivers and want to take matters into their own hands.

Even if it means buying an Android tablet to do it.

What you need to know

• Google Maps has added support for toll road pricing.
• Drivers will be able to see how much it will cost to drive on a toll road before setting off.

Google Maps has added support for toll road pricing, giving people more information about how much it will cost before they get to a road that requires a toll to drive on.

The Google Maps update was announced via forum post and will be available on almost 2,000 toll roads across the United States, India, Japan, and Indonesia. Google does say that more countries are coming soon although it doesn't say which ones, or how soon they'll be added.

Toll roads are a fact of life depending on what part of the world you live in and how much you travel. But knowing how much a drive will cost ahead of time can be handy, and that's what Google is helping with here. Google also says that it will offer intelligent pricing based on what day it is and more.

Those who drive on roads that use toll passes will also be able to enable and disable prices based on whether or not they have one, while those who just want to avoid such roads entirely will continue to be able to do that within the app's settings.

Google Maps has long been one of the best iPhone navigation apps available in the App Store and it's always promising to see such an app continue to add features after so many years. Toll roads aren't something many of us deal with on the daily, but that can also make information like this all the more important when we do come across a journey that requires driving on one.

If you don't yet have the Google Maps app installed, you can download it for free from the App Store today.

What you need to know

• Google Maps has a new layer dedicated to air quality index information.
• Google has also added a new layer that shows information about local wildfires.

Google Maps is rolling out a new air quality index (AQI) feature to give people as much information as possible about the air that they will breathe when stepping foot outside. The new feature is available as an additional mapping layer.

Google announced the addition via a blog post, noting that it will give users of both iOS and Android a way to tell the quality of the air and whether they should consider outdoor activities based on readings.

There are of course plenty of air quality index apps to be found in the App Store but placing it inside Google Maps means AQI can easily be checked for places that people are planning to visit, whether for work or pleasure.

Alongside AQI support, Google Maps now also has a layer designed to help people be more informed about any wildfires in the area. Google says that search interest in a number of wildfire-related terms has doubled over the past year, highlighting growing concern about the effects of wildfires.

The two new layers are available as part of the Google Maps app that is in the App Store now. Those who have the app installed already will see an update waiting for them, while everyone else can download Google Maps for free right now.

What you need to know

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has told employees that they must work from the office 40 hours per week.
• No working from home will be allowed among Tesla's workforce.
• Twitter employees will be watching on amid Musk's ongoing buyout.

Tesla CEO and prospective Twitter owner Elon Musk has written to employees of the electric car maker to say that working from home is no longer an option — they have to work a minimum of 40 hours per week from a Tesla office.

In an email seen on Twitter, Musk tells Tesla workers that the 40-hour minimum is "less than we ask of factory workers" while going on to say that people will need to work from a main Tesla office, not a "remote branch office unrelated to the job duties" being performed. There was some hope, however, with Musk saying that he would review individual circumstances if required.

In a follow-up email, Musk went on to suggest that while some other companies allow people to work remotely, that has hampered their ability to ship "exciting and meaningful products."

In a tweet calling him out on the prospect of office-only working, Musk doubled down by saying that people who want to "pretend" to work should do so somewhere else, not at Tesla.

This will no doubt be concerning reading for people who work at Twitter and are already worried about the prospect of Musk's hostile takeover going through. Musk will take the company private and, likely, instill similar requirements on the Twitter workforce. That'll be disappointing news for people who were previously told by current CEO Parag Agrawal that they would be able to work from home forever.

Musk's stance is antiquated in a post-pandemic world where people spent months working from home. Apple won't allow homeworking entirely, either, and will instead require that people work from the office some days as part of a hybrid system. Employees have been working from home throughout the Apple silicon, creating the best Mac computers to date.

What you need to know

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he will speak to his engineers about the possibility of adding AirPlay support to cars.
• There is no sign that CarPlay support will come to Tesla vehicles.
• AirPlay would allow for lossless audio streaming.

Tesla electric cars could add support for Apple AirPlay, allowing people to more easily stream audio and potentially video from their iPhones. But CEO Elon Musk remains steadfast in his refusal to discuss adding the feature everyone really wants — CarPlay support.

The new AirPay admission came after Musk replied to one Tesla car owner to say that he would speak with Tesla audio engineers about the possibility of adding support for AirPlay. Musk says that the sound system built into the new Model S and Model X is "incredible" but one owner wants Apple to give them a better way to stream music to it than the current Bluetooth.

Musk responded, as he is wont to do on Twitter, to say that he would have a word with his team — although there is no guarantee that future AirPlay support will be added, of course.

Unfortunately, there is still no indication that Musk is at all keen about adding another Apple technology in the form of CarPlay. The large display that Tesla electric vehicles have would be perfect for projecting an iPhone display onto, but so far, no dice.

Adding AirPlay support to Tesla cars would theoretically allow for lossless audio streaming, although it's a matter for debate whether the speakers inside the cars would make for an experience that would make such a thing worthwhile.

Apple's AirPlay and CarPlay offerings are some of the best iPhone features around, especially the latter. It gives people a way out of the normally poor in-car systems that carmakers force upon drivers while opening up the possibility of using third-party navigation apps as well.

What you need to know

• Google has announced a new time travel feature for Google Maps and Street View.
• People can go all the way back to Street View's first images for specific locations.

Google is celebrating 15 years of Street View by announcing a time travel feature of sorts, allowing people to scroll back and see how things looked at various points between now and 2007.

Google announced the change via blog post, saying that it's now "easier than ever to travel back in time right from your phone."

Google also announced a new Street View camera that will allow it to capture more Street View imagery than ever before. It can be fitted to any car and weighs just 15 pounds, making it more portable than ever before. Google says we can expect it to be used in areas that would normally go unmapped, including the Amazon jungle.

Finally, a bit of fun. Google says that to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of Street View's launch, we can all set a Street View car as our mapping icon!

Google Maps is still one of the best iPhone navigation apps around — and being able to drive around in a Street View car makes it even better!

It's a common occurrence that happens pretty much every day for us — we need directions to get somewhere, whether it's a new restaurant or store or even just our way home from an unfamiliar area. Or perhaps it's easier to take a walk or take public transit somewhere, but you'll still need directions.

Fortunately, Siri can be pretty useful in helping us get where we need to go, making it one of the best iPhone features around. Here are all the ways you can use Maps with Siri!

How to ask Siri to find locations

You can activate Siri in two ways: by holding down the Home button or Top/Side button on your device or by saying "Hey Siri." Siri responds a little differently depending on the way you interact with it.

1. Press and hold the Home or Side button on your iPhone or iPad, or say "Hey Siri".
2. Tell Siri what you're looking for, along these lines:
   • "Where is a good place to get dim sum around here?"
   • "What's a good spot for sushi?"
   • "Where can I get a good steak?"
   • "Where is my nearest Apple Store?"
3. Siri will present a list of results based on your query.
4. Scroll through the list until you find the one you want, and then tap on your choice.

5. You'll see more details on your choice, including address and map, contact info, hours, photos, and reviews.
6. Tap the Directions button (this may show estimated driving time) to launch Maps and get your route.
7. Tap the Go button to get turn-by-turn directions.

Siri is more chatty with this method and speaks more information to you.

1. Activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri".
2. Tell Siri what you are looking for:
   • "Where can I buy some groceries?"
   • "What's a good Indian restaurant nearby?"
   • "What do you recommend for drip coffee?"
   • "Where can I go to ship a package?"
3. Siri will present a list of results, which you can tap to interact with as above, and describe the highest-rated location for whatever you asked for out loud, followed by asking if that's the one you want.
   • Say Yes if that's what you want, and she'll ask you what you want to do next, such as call them or get directions.
   • Say No if you want something else, and Siri will give you the next-best location. Repeat the process until you get something that you want.
4. Again, you can say Yes to the option you want that Siri gives you and then tell it to get directions.

How to use Siri to find your way home

If you're in a new area that you're unfamiliar with, you'll want to pull up some directions to get home safely. Siri and Maps can help you out without a hitch, but you'll need to make sure that Siri knows who you are and where you live.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and select Siri & Search.

3. Tap on My Information.
4. Select your contact card.

Once your card is selected, Siri will know who you are and all associated information, including addresses (home and work), birthdays, relationships, and more.

1. Press and hold the Home or Side button on your iPhone or iPad, or say "Hey Siri"
2. Tell Siri that you want to go home.
   • You can say, "Take me home," or you can also try things like "How do I get home?" or "I want to go home."
3. Siri will pull up directions for you to get home, and you can tap on the green Go button once it appears to open up Maps and get turn-by-turn directions.
4. You can also wait, and Siri will automatically launch turn-by-turn directions in Maps for you.
   • This is great when you're too busy driving to touch buttons on your screen.

How to ask Siri for transit and walking directions

For those living in a location that supports transit directions in Maps, you can ask Siri to help you figure out the route you need and your first stop.

1. Press and hold the Home or Side button on your iPhone or iPad, or say "Hey Siri".
2. Say, "Show me transit directions to (location)."
   • If there's more than one location, Siri will ask you which one you want, going in order of nearest to farthest.
3. Siri launches the Maps app with transit directions to your chosen destination.
   • You can scroll up to view multiple routes, if available.
4. Tap on the green Go button to begin the voice navigation for transit directions.

Fancy going for a nice walk? Siri can also help guide you on the correct walking route to get to your destination.

1. Press and hold the Home or Side button on your iPhone or iPad, or say "Hey Siri".
2. Say, "Get walking directions to (location)."
   • Again, if there are multiple locations, Siri will ask you which one.
3. Siri launches the Maps app with walking directions to your destination.
4. Tap on the green Go button to begin the turn-by-turn walking directions.

How to ask Siri to show you Flyover features

Apple Maps comes packed with super-detailed 3D maps. With these 3D maps, you can take overhead tours of select destinations that support Flyover, so it's like getting a preview before you're actually at the destination. It doesn't work everywhere, but it's usually available for major cities and landmarks, and Siri can help you out.

1. Press and hold the Home or Side button on your iPhone or iPad, or say "Hey Siri".
2. Tell Siri to show you a map of a landmark, city, or area.
   • "Show me a map of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France," for example.
3. Tap on the result.

4. Scroll up and tap on the map to have it launch the Maps app.
5. If the location you chose supports Flyover, the Flyover button appears.
6. Tap on the Flyover button to start the "tour."

7. You can pan-and-zoom around the area on the map to explore or even use your device's gyroscope to move around the map.
8. Tap on the Pause button to pause the tour's automatic flyover view.
9. Tap on the X button to exit Flyover.

Use Maps with Siri to find your way home or a new favorite spot

As you can see, you can use Siri to do just about anything with the Maps app. With just a shout or a button press, you can ask Siri for directions to home, find a new favorite restaurant, or get walking directions. If you are new to an area or looking to sightsee, you can even use Siri to show you a slick 3D Flyover view, complete with landmarks. So the next time you are driving or just out and about, use Maps with Siri for a convenient hands-free experience.

Updated May 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

What you need to know

• A developer has released the software needed to get CarPlay running on a Tesla car.
• Specific hardware is required to make the CarPlay hack work.

The lack of CarPlay support in modern Tesla cars remains a baffling decision, but that doesn't mean that there aren't ways and means to fix that omission. There is now a way to run CarPlay via a Tesla entertainment system — but you're going to need to jump through some hoops to make it work.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk might be too busy buying Twitter to give Tesla drivers CarPlay despite their pleading, but Polish developer Michał Gapiński is here to lend a hand. We heard about his using a Raspberry Pi to add CarPlay to his Tesla Model 3 earlier this year, and now the same feature is available for everyone to try according to a Tesla North report.

Everything you need in terms of software is available via the Tesla Android Github page, but you're also going to need a couple of Raspberry Pi devices and a few other bits and pieces. You can read more about what's needed on the developer's website. That's where you'll find the installation guide, too.

Of course, getting this all up and running isn't something for everyone but those who do what's required will be able o enjoy CarPlay on one half of their massive Tesla display. It's all pretty impressive — hopefully it's so impressive that someone at Tesla will decide to make it less hacky and actually offer CarPlay support as a first-party option.

You know, like pretty much every major carmaker on the planet at this point.

Apple has a few useful features specific to transit directions making it easier to navigate the big city without a car. You can easily see transit stops for specific lines and routes and, whenever multiple options are available, you'll see all of the possible route suggestions. Here's how to use transit directions in Apple Maps.

How to get transit directions in Apple Maps

If you are trying to get around a particular city using public transportation, you can use Apple Maps to find your way. It's easy to find transit directions in Apple Maps once you know how.

1. Open Maps.
2. Tap on your destination. This could be as a result of a search or a landmark on the map.
3. Tap on the Directions button. This may already show an estimated time for driving, walking, cycling, or transit depending on your default mode.

4. Switch to transit directions (train icon) if this isn't already selected.
5. Optionally, tap Leaving Now to change the time or date for departure or arrival.
6. Tap on GO for your selected route.

Of course, you can also use Maps with Siri to get transit directions in Apple Maps. Simply say something like "Hey Siri, show me transit directions to City Hall."

Once you've hit GO, the route card will show you upcoming directions during your trip.

How to find nearby transit routes in Apple Maps

If you're in an unfamiliar city and just want to know your public transport options in your vicinity, Apple Maps has a handy built-in feature to help you out in a pinch. Here's how to quickly find nearby transit routes.

1. Open Maps.
2. Swipe up on the search card to reveal your Favorites.
3. Tap on the + icon to add a new favorite.

4. Tap on Nearby Transit (or Nearby Public Transport, depending on your region). This will now show in your Favorites.
5. Tap on Transit (or Public Transport, depending on your region) in the Favorites bar.

This will now reveal all known public transport options for the regions you are viewing on the map. Alternatively, you can switch your map to Transit view by tapping the map icon in the top right and selecting Transit.

How to add a transit station or stop to your Favorites in Apple Maps

Whether you want to add the nearest train station or bus stop in order to make finding your way home easier, or you're planning to use public transit a bunch for an upcoming trip to a new city, adding these locations to your Favorites can make life easier. Here's how to do it.

1. Open Maps.
2. Tap on the station or stop. This could be as a result of a search or a landmark on the map.

3. Tap on the ••• icon on its place card.
4. Tap on Add to Favorites in the pop-over menu.

Any locations you add will now appear in the Favorites bar so you can easily navigate to them with a couple of taps. To remove a station or stop from your Favorites, simply follow the above steps and tap Remove from Favorites.

Find your way around

As you can see, the built-in Maps app is one of the best iPhone tools for navigating a new place. With transit directions in Apple Maps coming to more places with each iOS update, it's only going to become more useful over time, too.

Updated May 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

In iOS 14.5, Apple added some new features to the Maps app that make it easy to report certain incidents and events on the road, which in turn helps other drivers. With the Report an Incident feature, users of Apple Maps can report accidents, hazards, and even speed checks to warn others who are also using Apple Maps for turn-by-turn directions.

As long as you are running the latest version of iOS 15, this feature is available to you on your current iPhone, like the iPhone 13 Pro. Here's how to report accidents, hazards, and speed checks in the Maps app on iPhone.

How to report an incident in Maps on iPhone with turn-by-turn directions

1. Launch Maps on your iPhone.
2. Input a destination that you want to go to.
3. Select the route you want to start turn-by-turn directions.

4. Tap the route card at the bottom of the screen.
5. Select Report.
6. Choose between Accident, Hazard, or Speed Check.

Once you make your selection, the incident will be reported, and other drivers will be made aware of it if they are using Apple Maps.

How to report an incident in Maps on iPhone from the main screen

1. Launch Maps on your iPhone.
2. On the main Maps screen, scroll down until you hit the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap Report an Issue.
4. Tap Report an Incident.

5. Select Accident, Hazard, or Speed Check from the list.
6. Tap the map if you need to move the location of the incident.
7. Add some information about the incident if you have it.
8. Tap Submit.

How to report an incident in Maps on iPhone with Siri

Optionally, if you are driving, it may not be the best time to report an incident on your iPhone if you're not the passenger. Thankfully, you can simply invoke Siri and tell it to report an accident, hazard, or speed check. To do this, simply say something like: "Hey Siri, report an accident in the Maps app".

Once you tell Siri what you want to report, it automatically gets sent.

See something, report it!

As you can see, it's pretty easy to report anything in Maps on the best iPhone, whether it's an accident, hazard, or a speed check. Reporting these will help other drivers on the road who are also using Apple Maps, so it's important to report something if you see it — others will surely appreciate it.

Updated April 2022: This guide has been updated for iOS 15.

What you need to know

• Elon Musk is no longer joining Twitter's board.
• Musk bought almost $2.9 billion in Twitter shares recently.
• Joining the board would have prevented Musk from buying more than 14.9% of the company.

Twitter won't have Tesla CEO Elon Musk on its board after all despite both parties saying that it would. The decision was announced on Sunday evening, the day after Musk was supposed to take his place on the board.

The announcement was made by Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and noted that Musk's "appointment to the board as to become officially effective 4/9," but that didn't happen after he "shared that same day that he will no longer be joining the board." Perhaps tellingly, Agrawal says that he believes it to be "for the best" that Musk won't be involved with board matters, although Twitter will "always value input from our shareholders whether they are on our Board or not."

This all comes after Musk bought almost $2.9 billion in Twitter stock and it was later confirmed that he would be taking a place on the social network's board. Ever since, Musk has been tweeting about various things, not least the fact that the company's San Francisco HQ should be turned into a homeless shelter because nobody turned up. Musk also asked whether Twitter was dying because those with the biggest follower counts weren't actually tweeting.

Now comes the news that, perhaps, those tweets weren't all that well-received after all.

You can read Agrawal's full statement to Twitter employees below:

Musk may also be playing a long game here. If he had joined the board, he would have been prevented from buying more than 14.9% of the company — a roadblock he no longer needs to concern himself with.

What you need to know

• Google Maps is getting a ton of new improvements, some specific to Apple.
• Apple Watch users will soon be able to start navigation from their wrists.
• New directional mapping improvements are coming to CarPlay and more.

Google has announced a slew of new updates and improvements that are set to make its Maps app a much better experience on iPhone and Apple Watch.

The new improvements were all laid bare in a blog post by Google Maps product manager Rubén Lozano-Aguilera. At the top of the list is new support for showing toll prices at almost 2,000 toll roads in the United States, India, Japan, and Indonesia. More countries will get the same support in due course, the announcement says.

Next up is improved navigation mapping that will soon show things like traffic lights and stop signs. These improvements will also come to the Google Maps CarPlay interface, making it a much better option for those driving around.

Beyond that, we have three more features that are all going to make Google Maps a better experience across Apple's devices — including support for starting navigation from an Apple Watch for the first time.

Google Maps is also gaining support for Spotlight, Siri, and Shortcuts to allow people to ask Siri for directions within the app for the first time.

Finally, we have new widgets that will make it easier to access pinned trips without having to first open the Google Maps app.

All of this will move Google Maps closer to being the best iPhone app for finding your way around, whether it's on public transport, on foot, or by car. All of these updates are rolling out over the next few weeks so keep your eye on the App Store for updates.

What you need to know

• Tesla CEO Elon Musk has spent $2.9 billion on Twitter stock.
• Musk bought 73.5 million shares.
• 9% of Twitter is now owned by the devisive Twitter user.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become Twitter's biggest stakeholder after splashing almost $3 billion on shares. 73.5 million of them, to be precise.

The AP reports on a regulatory filing that was shared Monday, with Musk's described as a "long-term investor looking to minimize his buying and selling of the shares." However, despite Musk recently suggesting that he could start his own social network amid free speech concerns related to Twitter, one analyst now believes that he is just as likely to make a play for an "aggressive ownership role" at the social network.

Musk's stock buy saw Twitter's price surge 20%.

Musk has long been a divisive figure on Twitter. With 80 million followers he is one of the most-followed people on the platform, but how he uses those followers has been a cause for concern. In 2018 Musk and Tesla agreed to hand over $40 million in civil fines resulting from his claim that he could take the company private — and had the cash to do so — at a price of $420 per share. Ultimately, it was discovered that Musk didn't have the money ready at all. As a result, Musk now has to have his tweets checked by a corporate lawyer, notes the AP.

What this means for Twitter isn't clear right now, although Musk seems unlikely to be putting in quite so much money without expecting something in return. Friday's closing share price has Musk's new shares worth $2.9 billion. That's a lot of money, even by Elon Musk standards.

Elon Musk now owns a 9% stake in Twitter.

What you need to know

• Tesla has updated its iPhone app to add support for actionable notifications.
• Tesla's new app update adds a way for Tesla Insurance policyholders to submit comprehensive claims.
• A new charging statistics screen has been added to the updated Tesla app.

Tesla has updated its iPhone app to add support for actionable notifications, allowing people to interact with their car without having to open the app proper.

The updated app, which is available in the App Store as version 4.6.0, now allows people to control their car's functions whenever it sends them a notification. Examples seen so far include being able to stop charging when receiving a notification to say that it has stated and being able to disable climate control when a desired temperature has been met.

The full Tesla app release notes also mention a new Charge Stats screen as well as a way to submit comprehensive claims for Tesla Insurance policyholders.

• Charge Stats displays your vehicle energy charged and estimated costs
• Submit comprehensive claims for Tesla Insurance policyholders
• Support for actionable vehicle push notifications

Those who already have the Tesla app installed will see the update being presented now. Anyone who hasn't yet installed the app can get it from the App Store now. It's free, although you'll obviously need a Tesla car to make real use of it. Tesla cars are not, however, free. For those who do already have the car, the Tesla app is undoubtedly the best iPhone app for you.

Apple Maps offers extensions for specific apps and services. You can, for example, use OpenTable to reserve a spot at your favorite restaurant, use Uber to hail a ride, and visit Yelp to check out reviews of that coffee shop you've been thinking about checking out. Here are all the apps that offer Apple Maps extensions!

What is a Maps extension?

The primary purpose of Maps extensions is to give you the ability to do things like book a reservation at a restaurant without having to leave the Maps app. This integration will free up your precious time by cutting out the need to switch between and search within different apps.

The feature launched with iOS 10 back in 2013 but is still supported by a select few apps in iOS 15 today.

Apps that have extensions for Maps

Third-party apps that offer ride-hailing or dining reservation functionality can opt into supporting Apple's Maps extension feature. We've listed several to make things easy for you.

How to enable Maps extensions on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Settings app from your Home screen.
2. Tap Maps.
3. Choose the type of extensions you wish to turn on under Extensions.
4. Toggle On the extension you want to enable. Green means it's on.

Note: If you don't see the Extension heading, no apps are installed on your device with Maps extensions capabilities.

Once you've followed the above steps, you can use the third-party ride-hailing and dining reservation apps within the Maps app. For more help getting the feature set up, check out our guide on how to enable and use Maps extensions.

All in one place

When looking up a location in Apple Maps, the next thing you want to do is work out how to get there. Integrating ride-share services into the Maps app makes total sense for the best iPhone experience.

Similarly, if you look up a restaurant's address details, your next move might be to book a table. Rather than jumping into a browser or another app, integration with OpenTable and Yelp means you can achieve that with just a couple of taps from the restaurant's detail page in the Maps app.

Updated February 2022: Updated for iOS 15.

What you need to know

• Tesla Design Chief says that there is "nothing to look forward to" with Apple products.
• Franz von Holzhausen says that recent products are a "slight refinement on the same thing."
• Apple is expected to announce an electric car that will compete with Tesla.

Tesla's Design Chief had some shade to through Apple's way.

As spotted by iPhone in Canada, Franz von Holzhausen, Tesla's Chief Designer, was recently on Spike's Car Radio, a podcast hosted by Spike Feresten. During the interview, Holzhausen said that he didn't have much enthusiasm for Apple's future products.

Holzhausen, who has overseen the design of all of Tesla's recent and future vehicles, described Apple's recent products as mere "continuations" of something that had already been created long ago rather than leap products like the iPhone.

Holzhausen did admit to wearing an Apple Watch (which also means he owns an iPhone) but said it is "just because of the fitness side to it. Otherwise, I haven't really found much purpose for that thing."

While many would agree with Holzhausen, it's hard to ignore that, after the iPhone, Apple has introduced the Apple Watch and AirPods, two products that made popular new categories across the technology industry. The company also recently launched Apple silicon for the Mac which has spurred new designs and performance levels for its computer business.

Of course, Holzhausen could also be trying to put down an incoming competitor. Apple has long been rumored to be working on Apple Car, a new electric and autonomous vehicle from the company that could be unveiled as soon as 2025. The new vehicle would, of course, be a direct competitor to Tesla.

What you need to know

• New research shows that people are most excited about the Tesla Roadster and Cybertruck.
• Apple Car comes in third in terms of most-searched EV.
• Cars from BMW, Chevrolet, and others make up the top ten.

Apple is rumored to have been working on an electric vehicle for a long time now and while expectations are high, a new study shows that it's the Tesla Roadster that people are most excited to get their hands on.

The Apple Car project continues to hemorrhage talent but the road to Roaster isn't much better with delays upon delays meaning we still don't know for sure when the little speedster will be available. But new numbers shared by Lease Fetcher have the Roadster as the car most people are anticipating ahead of the Cybertruck and Apple Car.

According to that report, the Tesla Roadster was the subject of web searches more than 8.5 million times during 2021, with Apple Car coming in with just 5.8 million globally.

Apple's EV might or might not be ready for an announcement in 2024 depending on which analyst you listen to but Roadster buyers should be able to get into their cars much sooner than that. The same goes for the humongous Cybertruck for that matter, too.

Outside of the Teslas and Apples of this world, people seem to be keen on the BMW i4, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ford F150 Lightning while the hugely impressive — and costly! — Mercedes-Benz EQS sits in tenth place behind a Nissan and a Cadillac!

In terms of cars that you can actually order today, it's all about Tesla once more. Its Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X take the first, second, fourth, and fifth spot in terms of search traffic respectively. Only the Porsche Taycan could find a space in the top five without carrying a Tesla logo.

What you need to know

• Tesla has updated its app for iOS.
• It now lets users add their Tesla Insurance card to their Apple Wallet.
• Tesla's app can be used for a swathe of car-based tasks and functions.

Tesla has updated its app to allow users to include their Tesla Insurance cards in their Apple Wallet on devices like the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13.

As noted on Twitter version 4.5.0 of the app was released Tuesday and states:

• Tesla Insurance policyholders can add their insurance card to Apple Wallet

Tesla insurance is the company's own insurance policy, available to owners in Arizona, California, Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. One of its unique features is a real-time driving behavior monitor that uses vehicle telemetry to calculate your premiums:

Tesla states that an average driver could save as much as 20-40% and that the safest drivers can save as much as 60% with the policy.

Tesla's app has a wide range of functions and can be used to monitor charging progress, heat or cool your car before you get in it, lock and unlock the vehicle, find it in a parking lot, upgrade your vehicle's software, and even functions with Tesla's Powerwall.

Great friends on the App Store, Tesla and Apple enjoy a more strained relationship in public, the company's CEO Elon Musk mocking Apple's decision to offer customers a $19 cleaning cloth.

What you need to know

• Tesla cars do not support Apple CarPlay despite having a huge touch screen.
• A developer has found a way to install a custom Android built onto a Raspberry Pi to push CarPlay to the Tesla's screen.
• The required software will be shared when it's ready for prime time.

Did you know that you still can't use Apple's CarPlay It remains one of the strangest omissions from Tesla electric vehicles to date but where there's a will, there's a way. One developer has found a way to use Tesla's built-in web browser and a custom Android build to get things working.

The gist is simple — install the custom Android build onto a Raspberry Pi and use that as a go-between for your iPhone and your car's display. In reality, it's more complicated than that — but as this Tesla North report shows, it definitely works.

Gapiński says that we can expect this software to be made available to everyone once it's "polished" to a suitable level. That could be something for Tesla drivers to keep tabs on, although it probably isn't a solution for everyone!

Apple CarPlay is one of the best iPhone features that Tesla drivers don't get to enjoy and while it's fair to say that the Tesla in-car systems are among the best in the business, it's still an odd thing to leave out. Maybe Tesla will bring CarPlay to its cars one day in the future.

A dash cam is the best way to record your road activity and capture everything from collisions to reckless driving to cute baby geese crossing a busy highway. With more and more smart options available, I've taken notice and done the research. The best dash cam today is the Rove R2-4K. It records UHD video in 4K resolution and lets you view and share those videos from your phone. Just like aftermarket backup camera displays, there is an abundance of high-quality dash cams to choose from today. We've looked at them all and compiled this list of the best dash cams of the year.

Best overall: Rove R2-4K Dash Cam

Rove's R2-4K dash cam records UHD video in 4K resolution for incredibly clear video and still frames so sharp you can read a license plate. The enhanced definition also helps you take clear low-light photos and videos, making it one of the most useful dash cams on our list. This is a big camera, so it's not for those who desire something discreet.

With the Rove, you can view and share videos from your phone over built-in Wi-Fi. It also has onboard GPS to record your driving location, speed, and other pertinent details. And when you're parked, the Rove still has your back. When it senses vibration, even when you're not in the car, the Rove's onboard vibration technology initiates recording on its own. That means it'll capture break-ins, collusions, and other disturbances when you're away from your car, making it a dash cam and security cam in one.

Turn to the Rove R2-4K for high-res dash cam footage, which records in 4K and offers convenient Wi-Fi capabilities.

Best value: Crosstour CR350

If price is your strongest motivator, Crosstour offers an inexpensive dash cam that doesn't compromise quality. You get 1080p recording, 12MP resolution, and a big aperture, along with a wide dynamic range to improve night vision and clarity of still frames.

The 3-inch screen lets you see live video, and it's large enough to replay incidents clearly. With built-in G sensor technology, this dash cam detects shakes and collisions on its own, and it can lock the footage so it isn't overwritten during loop recording. This model suctions to your windshield and is easy to use and our favorite budget-friendly pick. The only downside is that buttons are sensitive to the touch. If you turn the microphone off, for example, adjusting the camera's angle will inevitably turn it back on without warning. Still, for the money, this is one of the best dash cams you can buy today.

The Crosstour is reliable and cheap. It's easy to install, gives a clear picture, and has 170-degree coverage.

Best dual cameras: CHORTAU dual dash cam

When you want eyes on the front and rear of your vehicle, the CHORTAU dual dash cam is the best in class. The front camera has full HD 1080P resolution and has a 170-degree angle view. The waterproof rear camera captures everything in a 130-degree radius and works as a backup camera. This model fires up by itself when you start the car and monitors for disturbances when you're away from your car.

The CHORTAU camera is simple to install. The front dash cam attaches to your windshield with a suction cup and the rear cam wires to the backend of your vehicle. This model has a bright 3-inch display as well, so you never have to pull your phone out to see what your camera captured. All video stores itself on an SD card, so you can also review footage on your computer. One complaint: the suction cup has difficulty gripping to the window in temperatures below freezing.

Reliable front and rear cameras with wide-angle views, plus a 3-inch display.

Best app: Rexing V1 Wi-Fi dash cam

If full integration with your iPhone is important to you, check out Rexing's V1 cam, which has Wi-Fi functionality and its own app. You can view footage on your phone, save recordings, and share them, all on your Android or iPhone. The LCD quality on this unit is bright but isn't the highest quality, so having phone compatibility is a huge plus. Another nitpick: this is a huge dash cam. If you need something compact, this isn't the model for you.

On the plus side, this unit has a 170-degree wide-angle lens, records in 1080p, has an ƒ1.8 aperture, and is temperature-resistant to extreme hot and cold days. Also, vibration detection works on this model even when parked. That means that if your car is dinged when you're not behind the wheel, this dash cam will capture it all.

If you want to be able to share dash cam video straight from your phone, Rexing's V1 has the Wi-Fi capabilities you need.

Best voice control: Garmin Dash Cam 66W

Go hands-free with the Garmin Dash Cam 66W. This model gives you an extra-wide 180-degree field of view, so you never miss a thing. You'll also get 1440P HD, a 2-inch LCD, and incident detection, and automatic recording. This model automatically saves incidents to an 8GB microSD (not included).

My favorite feature here is voice control. You can save a video or picture, start and stop the audio, or start and stop the travel lapse using only your voice. The downside to this model is the price. It's more expensive than other options, but we think it's worth it.

It's pricier than other options, but we like the size, features, and the fact that it's voice controllable.

Bottom line

Dash cams are becoming more and more popular and less and less expensive. It's not hard to find a capable camera, no matter what your budget is.

The best dash cam this year is the Rove R2-4K. It captures stunning, high-resolution details in UHD 4K video, and the footage is freezable, so you can grab a still shot. The pictures are every bit as sharp in bright sunlight as they are at night. And thanks to onboard vibration sensors, the Rove acts as a security camera too. Even when you're away from your vehicle, the Rove captures movement around when your car when it's been disturbed.

This is a big camera; there's no getting around that. We don't mind the size, though. We love the built-in Wi-Fi, ability to stream footage to our iPhones, and the crystal clear video it puts out. If you want the best of the best, throw the Rove R2-4K in your cart now.

What you need to know

• Tesla has updated its iPhone app to version 4.3.0.
• Drivers can now customize the shortcuts on the vehicle page by tapping and holding.

Electric car company Tesla has updated its iPhone app to give people the chance to customize the shortcuts on the app's vehicle home page. Those shortcuts allow people to quickly and easily control various aspects of the car like opening the charging port and locking or unlocking the doors.

Those with the Tesla app already installed will see the update is live in the App Store right now. Everyone else can go download it for free as well. Tesla says that this update also adds widget improvements and more, with the full changelog reading:

Notably, previous reports suggested that the Sentry Mode Live Camera Access only required version 4.2.1 of the app, but that particular update doesn't mention anything about it. If you're a proud Tesla Premium Connectivity subscriber you might now be able to use the car's cameras from afar. Or you might have been doing that for a few weeks. Not even Tesla seems to know.

The Tesla app is obviously very much the best iPhone app to control Tesla cars, but it's also one of the best car interaction apps in the App Store today — despite its foibles. If you're a Tesla owner who has somehow slept on the app, now might be a good time to rectify that.

What you need to know

• Google Maps is gaining a new feature that will show how busy a neighborhood is.
• Area Busyness will also show how busy neighborhoods are at specific times during the day.

Google is leveraging the kind of data you can only collect by having a presence in a ton of pockets by showing people how busy neighborhoods are so they can decide whether or not they'd like to make a trip.

Dubbed Area Business, the new feature was announced via blog post and will allow Google Maps users to drill down to see exactly what times a particular neighborhood is normally at its busiest.

Google says that the feature will be live "in time for this holiday season" so it should be a good option for those looking to plan their Christmas activities.

While Apple Maps has made big improvements in recent years, Google Maps is perhaps still the best iPhone app for people who want to go beyond looking at a map — and features like Area Business are a prime example of that.

Did you just park your car and want to remember where you parked for later? Or maybe you just want to remember where your friends and family are, or your new favorite business. Apple's Maps app can help you out! All you need to do is just name and save where you currently are, so you can reference it later. No more circling the parking lot the next time you're at the happiest place on Earth!

But how do you name and save such locations in Apple Maps? Don't worry, it's pretty easy on iOS, and gives you the best iPhone experience you could ask for, including on the upcoming iPhone 14.

How to add your current location to a contact

You can quickly add the current location to any Contact you have on your iPhone or best iPad. It's a great way to collect or update the addresses of the places you go to or the friends you visit.

1. Launch Maps from the Home screen on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap the current location button.
3. Tap on the blue dot, which represents your current location.

4. Swipe up on the lower panel, then tap the ... button.
5. Tap on Add to existing contact.
6. Tap on a contact you want to use.
7. Type in your contact's complete address information. It should auto-fill but make sure everything is right.
8. Tap on Update in the top right corner.

Once an address is in the Contacts app, you can tap it at any time to bring up the location again in Maps.

How to view recent searches in Maps

If you often find yourself traveling to the same place, you can easily pull up a list of locations you have searched for recently.

1. Launch Maps from the Home screen of your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on the search bar at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose the previous location on the list.

How to drop a pin in Maps on iPhone and iPad

You can drop a pin at any point in the Maps app except when using guided directions. The effect is more natural to see when you are zoomed in on the map a little already, not to mention easier to make sure you drop a pin in the right place! This is also a great way to remember where you parked your car if you don't have Bluetooth or CarPlay.

1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
2. Tap and hold on the location where you want to drop the pin.

Just like that, you have dropped a pin, giving you some information on the location. Depending on how close it is to your current location, you can see how far it is away from you either by driving or walking. If you drop a new pin, it will replace the old pin you added earlier.

How to delete a pin in Maps on iPhone and iPad

When you drop a pin, it will stick around until you remove it.

1. Launch the Maps from your Home screen.
2. Tap the pin you want to delete.
3. Swipe up on the lower panel.
4. Tap the delete icon.

How to add favorite locations in Maps on iPhone and iPad

Favoriting a location allows you to bookmark it, so it's much quicker to find while searching. Less time mapping equals hitting the road sooner, which also means getting to your destination quicker. You can favorite any location. So whether you type in an address, drop a pin, or select a business, the steps are mostly the same.

1. Launch the Maps from your Home screen.
2. Find the location you want to favorite. You can do this in a few different ways.
   • Typing the address into the search bar.
   • Dropping a pin.
   • Tapping on a location already on the map. This is what we did for this example.
3. Swipe up on the lower panel.
4. Tap on Add Favorite. You may have to scroll down to see it.

How to view favorite places in Maps on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
2. Scroll down, and then tap See All under Favorites. You can also click on your favorite from the recent list.

A list of all your favorite locations will now appear. Tap on any site to bring it up on the map.

How to delete favorite sites in Maps on iPhone and iPad

1. Launch the Maps app from your Home screen.
2. Scroll down and tap See All/More under Favorites. You can also click on your favorite from the recent list.

3. Scroll to left on the location to delete.
4. Tap Delete.

Always save your favorite places for quick access later

We all go to many places every day, and sometimes we just want to save them for quicker access later. No matter what the situation is, Apple Maps makes it easy to name and save your favorite spots for later. After all, saving them means faster access, which means less time searching for it. Who doesn't want to save some time?

As you can see, it's pretty easy and straightforward to name and save locations in the Apple Maps app. Once you do that, just tap on those locations to easily get turn-by-turn directions and more. And don't forget to drop a pin to prevent yourself from circling the parking lot asking yourself, "where did I park?"

Updated August 2022: Updated to reflect newest iOS.

The Maps app for iPhone and iPad includes two unique features worth considering. First, you can keep track of your favorite locations with ease. Second, with guides, you can build lists of local must-see spots and spaces. The features work on the best iPhones and best iPads, including the iPhone 13.

How to create favorite locations on the iPhone and iPad

Favorites in the Maps app are located near the top of the screen. It includes your Home and Work location, when applicable. In addition, under each favorite, you see the amount of time it will take to get to the place from your current location.

To add a location:

1. Tap on the Maps app on the Home screen.
2. Under Favorites, scroll to the right, then tap the + icon.
3. Type in your location in the search box under Add Favorite. For example, you can type in a name or address. You can also tap the Siri icon on the same page to search with your voice. You can also select a location by tapping the **+* for a place under Siri Suggestions.

4. Tap the + to add the location.
5. On the Details page, change the title of the location -- if you want.
6. select the type of location.
7. Change the title of the location -- if you want.

8. Tap Add Person under Share ETA if you want to share your location with someone whenever you're traveling to your favorite site.
9. Select Done at the top right-hand side of the screen to save your Favorite.

To delete favorites:

1. In the Maps app, tap See All next to Favorites.
2. Choose the information icon to the right of the location you want to delete.
3. Tap the Remove favorite at the bottom.

How to create guides in the Maps app

Imagine that you're planning a trip to London and want to identify and save areas of the city you want to visit. By grouping everything in one location, you have a better idea of where the hot spots are before you even arrive at your destination.

To create a guide:

1. Tap on the Maps app on the Home screen.
2. Scroll down, choose + on the left of New Guide under the My Guides section.

3. Type a name for your new guide.
4. Tap Create.

To add locations to a guide:

1. Tap the newly created guide.
2. Select Add a Place.
3. Search for your location to add by typing it into the search box.
4. Tap the + next to the location you want to add.
5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 to add more places to your guide.
6. Tap Done at the top right when you are done adding locations.

Explore your guide's locations:

1. Under your guide, tap on a location to learn more.
2. Tap Flyover, when applicable, to take a closer look at the area.
3. Tap the directions button to find out how to get to the location.
4. On the main location screen, you'll find information pulled from Wikipedia and TripAdvisor, depending on the area's popularity.

To add favorites to your guide and more:

1. From this screen, you can also tap ... at the top.
2. Choose Add to Favorites from the pull-down menu.
3. Or scroll down and choose Report an Issue if there is a problem with the location listing.
4. Or Share to send the location information to others through Messages or Mail, or other apps on your device.

To remove locations from a guide:

1. Tap Edit at the bottom left on a guides page in Maps.
2. Tap the circle to the left of the location you want to delete.
3. Tap Delete at the bottom right to remove the site from your guide.

Both favorites and guides make the Maps app even better, especially for would-be travelers who want to research new places to visit.

Update November 2021: Updated for iOS 15 and macOS Monterey.

What you need to know

• Popular screencasting app Replica has been updated to add support for Tesla cars.
• Users can cast their iPhone and iPad screens onto Tesla displays using the built-in web browser.

The popular screencasting app Replica has been updated to add support for Tesla's in-car displays, allowing people to throw their iPhone and iPad screens onto their dashboard. Tesla cars join a host of other target devices including Amazon Fire TV sticks, PlayStations, and anything with a modern web browser built in.

The addition of Tesla support means that drivers can now put their iPhone and iPad screens onto their car's display, perfect for sharing photos, watching videos, and more — although DRM content might not work for obvious reasons, unfortunately.

The Replica App Store page says that users can look forward to a simple two-step setup process as well as low latency streaming and HD quality content.

Here's how it works:

• DOWNLOAD Replica on your iOS device from the App Store
• CONNECT to your Cast TV Device or TV with Cast TV built-in
• START MIRROR to duplicate your screen
• ENJOY your favorite apps & movies on your TV!

You should of course make sure that you're parked before doing any of this, but being able to put pictures and videos onto the in-car display straight from your phone could be cool for a variety of reasons and now it's a case of downloading an app.

Replica is a free download with an in-app purchase unlocking premium features after a free trial. This could be one of the best iPhone apps you downloaded in a while!

Apple's Maps app gives you everything you need to get where you're going and find interesting places along the way. It can tell you where you are, what direction you're facing, what's nearby, how to avoid traffic, and much more. Maps can show you the ground in 3D and can take to the sky with Flyover. It can even provide turn-by-turn voice navigation for driving, walking, and — in some regions — public transit, including buses, trains, and ferries making it one of the best iPhone apps for getting around.

What's new in iOS 15?

Apple's latest iOS 15 software brings some impressive updates to the Maps app. Improvements include more detailed driving navigation and public transit information.

Maps in iOS 15 also adds some totally new features like 3D city views and augmented reality walking navigation. These features work in major cities like Los Angeles, Now York City, and London with more locations being added over time. Apple has also added an interactive three-dimensional globe and has incorporated a curated Guides section in Maps to offer expert recommendations from brands like Time Out, The Washington Post, and the National Park Foundation.

Want to get to grips with everything the Apple Maps app can do? Here's what you need to know to get started!

How to find locations and get directions with Maps on iPhone and iPad

Times have changed — instead of the Thomas Guide, sixteen year olds have an iPhone to guide their way through city streets and subway lines. And instead of numbered paper sections, we have live traffic information and trip tracking in the form of Apple's Maps app. The company's app is built right into your iPhone or iPad. All you have to do is look! Here's how to use the Maps app to find your location and get directions.

If you find something isn't right about a location, you can report a problem in Maps and it will hopefully get resolved by the time the next person tries to navigate there.

How to name and save locations with Maps on iPhone and iPad

Whether you want your iPhone to remember your best friend's house or your local gym, adding and naming locations is easy with the Maps app for iPhone and iPad. Here's how to name and save locations with Maps on your iPhone or iPad.

How to share location and directions with Maps for iPhone and iPad

Sometimes it's not enough for you to know where you are or where you're going. Sometimes you need to let other people know. Maybe you want to share a great new coffee shop you've found, maybe you got separated at the park, or maybe you need to be picked up where your car broke down. Sure, there's Find my Friends for sharing location all the time but, when you need to share your location or some directions any time, there's Maps.

How to get transit directions with Apple Maps for iPhone and iPad

Apple has a few useful features specific to transit directions, making it easier to navigate the big city without a car. You can easily see transit stops for specific lines and, whenever multiple lines are available, you'll see all of the possible route suggestions. Our guide to Apple Maps transit directions shows you how.

Apple Maps doesn't support transit directions for all locations, though the list of supported cities grows longer with each update. Here are all of the places with Apple Maps transit directions.

How to use Siri to get directions and maps on iPhone or iPad

With Siri and Apple's built-in Maps, you know longer have to stop, type, and search for directions. You can simply ask Siri for directions, and you'll get a route to go right there. It's great if you're in a new area of town or traveling in a new city. And if you get lost, you can even ask Siri to take you home.

How to find your car with the Maps app

Here's a not-so-secret fact about me: I'm awful at remembering where I parked. It's why I own a brightly colored car that can make noise and flash its lights if I press my key fob — without them, I might as well condemn myself to wandering through darkened parking garages for hours.

Thanks to Apple's Parked Car feature in Maps, though, I no longer have to rely on shiny paint or loud noises to help me discover where I left my vehicle: I only have to look at my iPhone or Apple Watch.

How to change settings for Maps on iPhone and iPad

Apple Maps offers settings that let you change the volume of navigation prompts, change the units of distance, and even get follow-up emails on issues you report. You can customize Maps settings and get everything set up just the way you want it — once you know where to look!

How to delete your search history and destinations in Maps on iPhone and iPad

There are plenty of reasons to avoid storing your search and destination history: Maybe you're planning a surprise party; maybe you have one too many trips to Starbucks listed. Whatever the case, you can very easily get delete your search and destination history in Maps.

How to view the weather in Maps

If you're cruising along the highway on a road trip with pals and you want to take a peek at the weather without switching apps, follow along, and we'll show you how to view the weather in Maps! It's super convenient, especially while driving, though you'd probably only know how to find weather info in Maps if someone told you.

How to use Maps extensions on iPhone and iPad

iOS makes it easier to get more out of the Maps app by allowing third-party apps to add Maps extensions. The primary purpose of app extensions is to give you the ability to do things like book a reservation at a restaurant or call for a ride from services like Uber — all without having to leave Maps. This kind of integration frees up your precious time by cutting out the need to switch between different apps to accomplish your goals.

If you can't find Maps extensions, we can help you there too.

How to open Apple Maps locations in Google Maps

Though Apple has been making its Maps app better over time, many people still prefer the tried-and-tested Google Maps for something as important as knowing where you are going.

While you can't change the default mapping app on iOS, you can make it easier to switch to an alternative with a $1.99 utility app called Opener that lets you open Apple Maps locations in Google Maps.

How to get directions and use Apple Maps with CarPlay

Outside of streaming services, I'd be willing to bet Maps in CarPlay is the most commonly used app. Whether you're looking for a business or traveling out of state, it's much easier to be told where to go than navigating from memory or a map.

Most of Maps' interface in CarPlay is pretty easy to understand, but there are a few tricky parts. The above-linked article takes a look at some of the app's basic functions and how you can use them to get the most out of your experience.

Still have questions about Maps on iPhone and iPad?

Have a problem or question about the Apple Maps app? Let us know in the comments below and we'll try our best to help out.

Updated September 2021: Updated for iOS 15.

The Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO with MagSafe is the epitome of MagSafe convenience. This is one product that totally proves the value of the MagSafe technology that was debuted with the iPhone 12. No need to buy weird stick-on magnets or an entire line of magnetic accessories that only work with a that one brand. Nope! MagSafe is universal across all 12-series iPhones and any brand can make cool accessories that work with it. This Belkin car mount is my favorite MagSafe accessory yet.

It's a simple product. Belkin's MagSafe car vent mount incorporates a MagSafe-compatible magnet that can be easily attached to any car vent in seconds. Then you just snap your iPhone onto it and voilà! Easy hands-free iPhone access in the car for calls, music, and navigation. It makes driving with your iPhone safe and convenient. What's more, it requires no assembly and little-to-no setup. Simple and easy — that's Belkin.

Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO: Price and availability

Since Belkin is a very common, popular brand, you can find this product almost anywhere iPhone accessories are sold. Apple, Amazon, and the Belkin website are all great places to buy the Car Vent Mount PRO. It goes for about $40 on all of these sites. If it goes on sale, we'll be sure to let you know in our Deals section.

Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO: Simplicity with a side of convenience

I enjoy minimal products that work well, which is exactly what the Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO is. There's no assembly required and setup literally takes seconds. You just take it out of the box and insert the prongs onto your car vent. That's it! The built-in MagSafe magnets on your 12-series iPhone will attach instantly to the magnets on the mount, so you just snap it on and go. Keep in mind, if you have a case on your iPhone, you'll want to make sure that it's a MagSafe-compatible case to ensure secure attachment.

When I had a car mount for my previous iPhone, it had annoying adjustable arms that were supposed to clamp onto the phone, but it didn't work that well and I eventually got tired of using it. The unit didn't work at all with my new iPhone 12 Pro Max, so for awhile I was holding the iPhone in my hand when driving with turn-by-turn navigation from my phone (ill-advised behavior, I know.) Once I had the new Belkin Car Vent Mount in place, I felt much safer driving and using my iPhone. When the iPhone is mounted, I can make hands-free calls, use navigation apps, and play music without ever touching the phone.

It's also important to note that the Belkin mount is adjustable. Since it uses a ball joint, you can adjust it up and down or side to side. This is convenient so you can turn the iPhone into the right direction and angle depending on your own height and position in relation to the mount. The entire front of the mount can also be turned sideways so it's easier to use in horizontal orientation. This is great for me because I like to view my navigation maps in landscape mode.

Although the Belkin MagSafe car mount is minimal in appearance, my husband doesn't like it attached while he's driving because it won't work with his iPhone 11 (jealous, perhaps?) So when he drives I just detach the mount and stick it in the glove box. For this reason, I'm glad the accessory is so easy to detach and re-attach at a moment's notice. I can just put it away quickly whenever it's not needed.

Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO: MagSafe mishaps

Honestly, I'm having a hard time coming up with drawbacks for the Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO. It works perfectly and it's ridiculously easy to use. The only thing that got on my nerves a couple of times was that the iPhone fell off if I pressed on it too hard. This is not so much a mount problem as a MagSafe problem, however. I've noticed with other MagSafe accessories that the iPhone has a tendency to fall off of mounts and stands easier than I would have imagined. The magnets are not quite as strong as they should be, and I think this may happen because the iPhone 12 Pro Max is just a huge, heavy phone. So, while this is an annoyance, I don't think I can really blame Belkin for it, so I'm leaving this review at five stars.

Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO: Competition

The Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO with MagSafe is one of many MagSafe-compatible vent mounts that are available for iPhone. One similar product is the OneTap Car Vent Mount from Spigen. This one is also fully MagSafe-compatible and it attaches directly to the car vent. The Spigen OneTap Mount has a longer adjustable arm that is designed to prevent the iPhone from blocking air flow from the vents. I personally like the simpler gray design of the Belkin mount, but the Spigen mount is $12 cheaper, so your decision will come down to style and budget preferences.

Belkin Car Vent Mount PRO: Should you buy it?

• You want to drive safely and use your iPhone hands-free.
• You don't want to worry about assembly and setup.
• You like the ability to adjust and detach your car mount easily.

• You were hoping for ultra-strong magnets.

Here's the perfect solution to driving with your 12-series iPhone. It's easy to set up and easy to use; your iPhone will just snap right into place! This is great for hands-free calls, navigation, and music management while driving. Whether you're on the taller or more compact side of things, the adjustable mount can be set to any angle or orientation you need to drive and use your iPhone safely. Just be gentle! A good shove will detach the MagSafe magnets, but luckily you can always snap them back together in a second.

What you need to know

• A new update for the Tesla app adds support for Home screen widgets for the first time.
• Users can see when their car is charging, whether Sentry mode is enabled, and more.
• Other improvements include a refreshed interface, easier access to the Tesla Store, and much more.

Tesla has quietly updated its iPhone app to add a slew of new features — not least new iOS 14 Home screen widgets in two different sizes.

Released as version 4.0.0, the new Tesla app can be downloaded from the App Store now, although you'll obviously need some sort of Tesla product for it to be most useful. A number of improvements have been made to this release including a new vehicle and energy homepage and more.

• Refreshed vehicle and energy homepage
• Streamlined Summon experience
• Enhanced phone key support – vehicle no longer needs to be selected
• Send commands to vehicle immediately upon opening app
• Use Go Off-Grid to seamlessly disconnect your home from the Grid with Powerwall
• Shop the Tesla catalog and view and manage your orders (available in select countries)
• View Supercharging history and ability to pay outstanding Supercharging or service balance (available in select countries)

But most interesting, and not mentioned, is a new Home screen widget situation that brings two sizes of widget to iPhones. Users can see information like charge state and whether Sentry mode is enabled, all without opening the app.

The update is available for people to download now and makes the Tesla app much more useful — without ever making you open it. Tesla now surely has one of the best iPhone apps produced by a car maker. Others, take note!

While Tesla did previously offer a widget, it was one of the old-style Today screen widgets.

What you need to know

• Walter Isaacson, the man who wrote the Steve Jobs biography, is now working on one about Tesla's Elon Musk.
• The Jobs biography was controversial at the time of its release.

Walter Isaacson, the man behind the controversial Steve Jobs biography, is now trying his hand at an Elon Musk book according to the Tesla CEO.

While the Jobs biography was controversial at launch and caused Apple much consternation, it's still regarded as one of the best books about Steve Jobs and Apple. At least, it is if you're looking for something official. Isaacson has admitted to making changes to the Jobs book, apparently to make him come across as more likable.

An Elon Musk biography does have the potential to be an interesting read, that's for sure. The Tesla and SpaceX founder has had a complicated and often troublesome life — and he's never far from controversy of his own.

There's no timeline on when we should expect to be able to read the new Musk biography, but I can't imagine writing a book like that is a quick job. Personally, I'm just interested to see what Musk has to say about Apple after his recent comments regarding the App Store and its business model. Musk recently accused App Store fees of being a "de facto global tax on the internet," for example.

Musk was also recently said to have demanded to be made CEO of Apple, a move that would have been part of a potential Tesla buyout by the iPhone maker. That's something Musk has since denied, but we will hopefully hear more about that in this book.

What you need to know

• Google has announced that Dark Mode is rolling out to Google Maps on iOS.
• You're also now able to share your location through iMessage.
• The company also highlighted its new Google Maps widgets.

Google Maps on iOS has always been either a stellar competitor to Apple Maps or, for many, the go-to mapping app regardless of platform. Today, Google announced a couple of new features that will bring joy to those of us who have been enjoying apps in Dark Mode.

Earlier today, Google announced that it is finally bringing Dark Mode to Google Maps on iOS. Users will now be able to choose Dark Mode and, just like Apple Maps, see a night-friendly version of their map.

Dark Mode has been kind of half-supported on iOS for a while now, but it was limited to navigation. Before starting to navigate, you always had to use Light Mode. Now, you'll be able to cruise in Dark Mode the entire time. It's unclear at this point, however, if Google will support automatic switching between Light and Dark Mode or require you to manually switch back and forth.

In addition to announcing that Dark Mode would finally be coming to the Google Maps app on iOS, the company also revealed that it was bringing location sharing to iMessage. Soon, you'll be able to share your location in Google Maps directly through iMessage.

Google also highlighted its new iOS widgets that it released to users last month. Users can now choose between two widgets to add to their home screen:

• A widget that lets users check local traffic and weather conditions for a specific location.
• Another widget that includes quick access to search as well as restaurants, gas stations, and more.

The new widgets and iMessage integration are already live and available to all users. Google says that the Dark Mode rollout will occur throughout the month.

What you need to know

• Google Maps has today been updated to support widgets on iPhone and iPad for the first time.
• There are two different types of widgets available right now.

Google Maps has today updated its iPhone and iPad app to include support for a feature that was big when Apple released iOS 14 almost a year ago — Home screen widgets. The new update, which is available for download now, includes support for two different types of widget.

After choosing to add a Google Maps widget to their Home screen, users can select one of two options.

• A widget that lets users check local traffic and weather conditions for a specific location.
• Another widget that includes quick access to search as well as restaurants, gas stations, and more.

Google Maps is arguably the best iPhone mapping app around, despite Appel Maps making great improvements in recent years. The addition of a couple of Home screen widgets might not be a huge deal to most people, but it does at least show that Google is keen to make sure iOS users get to enjoy some new features here and there. Even if widgets did arrive closer to the iOS 15 launch than the iOS 14 one.

Those who already have Google Maps installed can download the new update now. Everyone else can go get it via the App Store for free. Even if you're an Apple Maps user, it never hurts to have more options to hand when going on a trip does it?

What you need to know

• Apple has quietly updated its map in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
• The updated map includes the location of homes.

When Apple announced that it was rebooting Apple Maps at WWDC back in 2018, it showed off a much more detailed map than it had previously had for users of the service.

One thing that was not on the old map was more detailed neighborhoods. In the new map, the company showed houses on a street so you could understand more about the relationship of where you were in relation to buildings and houses around you. It's a handy feature if you are looking out for a specific structure to guide you with those directions.

While Apple has been rolling out its new map around the world, homes were missing from countries outside of the United States and Europe. Today, iPhones.ru reported that the service has added homes to the map for the countries of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

That isn't the only news for Apple Maps users today. Earlier, it was reported that Apple's Maps cars were spotted in Austria, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. The cars were seemingly working to bring the Look Around feature to those areas.

If you're wondering what the best car mount is when you are getting all of those Apple Maps directions, check out our list of the Best magnetic car mounts for iPhone 2021.

What you need to know

• Today was Tesla's earnings call.
• During the call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took two shots at Apple.
• Musk criticized the company for its use of cobalt and its infamous "walled garden."

Elon Musk just went out of his way to take a couple of shots at Apple.

As reported by CNBC, today was Tesla's conference call to go over their quarterly earnings. During the call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took the time to take two direct shots at Apple.

One thing that Musk talked about was Apple's infamous "walled garden" that it is commonly criticized for. The CEO said that Tesla's approach was to be much more open with its technology.

Another shot came when Musk was asked about Tesla's supply chain. The CEO pointed out that, while Tesla uses a minimal amount of cobalt in its battery technology, Apple uses much more.

The two companies are gearing up to be potential competitors in the electric car space. Apple is rumored to be ramping up work on Project Titan, its electric car project. The car, according to the general rumors, could see a release in the back half of the decade.

Musk has had an interesting relationship with Apple in the past. Most recently, the CEO claimed he had offered to sell Tesla to Apple years ago but that Tim Cook would not accept a meeting with him.

When Apple revealed iOS 15 for the best iPhone, there was a lot of hype surrounding some big changes coming to FaceTime, Focus, Safari, Maps, and more. But while Apple focused more on the fancy new interactive globe and new maps, it didn't talk about how you can now set custom departure and arrival times when you get directions in the Maps app.

That's right — iOS 15 now lets you choose what time you want to leave for your destination and even select what time you want to arrive for the optimal driving or transit experience.

Here's how to set departure and arrival times for directions in Maps on iPhone and iPad.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

How to change departure time for directions in Maps on iPhone

If you need to get directions but aren't planning to leave right this second, then the Maps app allows you to change your departure time to something else, whether it's later in the day or even tomorrow. Here's how to change your departure time for getting directions.

1. Launch the Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Search for your intended destination.
3. Tap Directions.

4. Select your transportation method if you aren't driving.
5. Tap Leaving Now to bring up the Date and Time picker.
6. Under Leave At, select your preferred departure date and time.
7. Tap Done.

Your directions will be updated to reflect the new departure time. All routes will be based on predicted traffic at your selected time.

How to change arrival time for directions in Maps on iPhone

When you need to get to a specific location by a certain time, it may be better to change the arrival time instead of departure. This ensures that you get there by the time you specify, and you get an idea of the best time to leave. Here's how to change your arrival time for directions.

1. Launch the Maps app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Search for your intended destination.
3. Tap Directions.

4. Select your transportation method if you aren't driving.
5. Tap Leaving Now to bring up the Date and Time picker.
6. Tap Arrive By to change to the arrival time.
7. Under Arrive By, select your preferred arrival date and time.
8. Tap Done.

Again, much like changing the departure time, the directions are based on predicted traffic. So while it should be good when you leave, things can also change depending on actual traffic reports.

Questions?

As you can see, it's easy to change your departure and arrival times for directions in Maps on iPhone and iPad. Do you have questions about this new iOS 15 feature? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• Apple has updated its Apple Maps Look Around page to include Poland.
• People are seeing the camera cars driving around the country.

Apple Maps looks set to get Look Around support in Poland after people began seeing camera cars driving around the country. Apple also recently updated its Apple Maps website to include Look Around support for Poland.

Initially spied by MacRumors, the updated page and newly-spotted cars suggest that it won't be too long before Look Around begins to become available to those in Poland. Apple has confirmed that the "vehicle ground-based research" of the country will continue through August at least.

Apple Maps Look Around gives users the chance to see places in a 3D world before visiting. That can be hugely beneficial in a number of ways, not least to someone who wants to be able to get a feel for a new spot before taking a trip.

Look Around is a wonderful tool and it's best enjoyed on a large screen. That means that iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best iPhone for the job, although Apple Maps obviously functions just fine on any modern device – including iPads and Macs.

You can find more information bout which features are and are not available in specific countries over on Apple's website, too.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps has expanded its "Look Around" feature to Atlanta, Georgia.
• The feature lets to navigate around a city in 3D.

You're now going to be able to "Look Around" Atlanta, Georgia without leaving your home.

As reported by MacRumors, Apple has expanded its Apple Maps "Look Around" feature to the city of Atlanta, Georgia. According to the report, today's update marks the 14th update to the feature since it was launched back in 2019.

Those who want to explore Atlanta, Georgia without having to be there can now use the feature to navigate around the city in 3D. The feature will also pop up interactive locations so you see a restaurant while looking around and, upon tapping it, bring up the Apple Maps card for that location.

The feature is now live in more than twenty cities across the world.

"Look Around" isn't the only addition to Apple Maps lately. Back in February, the company added the ability to report accident and hazards within the app or with Siri while you are navigating. It also rolled out its speed camera feature to users in a number of countries back in March.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps vans are driving around Hong Kong to build out the Look Around feature.
• Look Around will give Apple Maps users a 3D view of an area, similar to Google Street View.

Apple Maps vans are driving around the streets of Hong Kong in an effort to capture the footage needed to bring the Look Around feature to the country.

According to the South China Morning Post and Apple Insider, the vans started doing their thing today ahead of an expansion of the Look Around feature.

Look Around works in a similar way to Google's Street View, giving users a 3D look at an area before they travel. It's great for finding shops and whatnot before setting off and Apple continues to roll Look Around out to more areas around the globe.

Importantly, Apple will make sure that all people have their faces blurred and the same goes for car registration plates, too.

What's more, Apple says those concerned about privacy can make a special request to have other things blurred – including homes as a whole.

There's no telling when Hong Kong residents can expect Look Around to go live, however.

What you need to know

• Apple has added cycling directions for Apple Maps in more areas.
• The feature is rolling out to Seattle and more areas in California.

Cycling directions for Apple Maps are coming to even more areas in the United States.

As reported by MacRumors, the feature, which rolled out with iOS 14 in the fall of 2020, is now available in Seattle and even more areas around California. According to the report, iPhone users in both areas have been receiving push notifications alerting them that the feature is now available.

Cycling directions, as Apple explains, takes into account "elevation, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs along the route" in order to provide a number of different options when traveling by bike.

Apple's rollout of cycling directions has been slow, especially when compared to competing mapping services like Google Maps.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps is listing people's personal addresses as a business in Australia.
• According to reports, the business is real but the address listed is the personal address of the business owner.

There is some weirdness going on with Apple Maps in Australia right now.

As reported by MacRumors, multiple users on Twitter have posted complaints about the service, saying that it is listing people's personal addresses as the location of a business, taking Apple Maps drivers into residential areas rather than to the business they are attempting to locate. According to the report, the mapping service is listing a business owner's personal address rather than the address of their actual business location.

Some users believe Apple may have bulk imported a bad or misunderstood set of data into Apple Maps, causing the issue.

At least one business owner confirmed that Apple Maps is listing their personal address as the location of their actual business.

Apple Maps has continuously been an uphill battle for the company, especially as it contends with Google Maps. The service made an enormous leap when Apple rolled out its own map for the app which enabled new features like Look Around, cycling directions, and just better directions overall.

Hopefully, Apple will identify and fix the data issues so people in Australia can find the businesses they'd like to visit without having to hop over to Google Maps.

What you need to know

• Google Maps has received a new update for iPhone and iPad for the first time in more than four months.
• The new update also includes App Privacy labels .

Google has released an update to its iOS Google Maps app for the first time in more than four months. The update, which is said to have big fixes in tow, brings the release number up to version 5.65.

The last time Google updated the Google Maps app for iOS was on December 1, before Apple began requiring apps in the App Store to display App Privacy labels. It was thought that Google was trying to delay having to add labels to its apps but we've seen a number of its apps receive updates in recent weeks.

This one, however, seems less than exciting.

The App Privacy labels are designed to make sure users know what kinds of data an app is collecting and what it will be used for, something Google is unlikely to want to advertise given the huge amounts of data it holds on us all via the use of Google Maps, Gmail, and all the other apps and services it offers.

You can download the updated Google Maps app from the App Store for free, now.

Google Maps is best used on larger iPhone like the iPhone 12 Pro Max which just so happens to also be the best iPhone for photographers thanks to that huge screen, too.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps will now show users COVID-19 health measures at over 300 airports.
• The feature is rolling out today and uses information from the Airports Council International.
• It will be available on iPhone, iPad, or Mac and includes locations such as JFK in New York, Toronto, Munich, Tokyo, Delhi, and Sydney.

Starting today, Apple Maps is getting COVID-19 airport travel guidance at over 300 destinations worldwide.

Users searching for airports on iPhone, iPad, or Mac will be able to easily see health requirements at included airports directly on the Apple Maps place card, which will alert them to things like face-covering requirements, health tests or screenings, and guidelines about quarantine. Users will be able to access a website link for an airport's COVID-19 web page or local requirements directly from within the app.

The data is collected from the ACI's Health Measures Portal, the group explains:

ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira said displaying the information in Apple Maps "will help to make this crucial data much more broadly accessible to passengers" and would help passengers to plan their journeys and be reassured of measures as they travel.

Airports with the information include JFK, LaGuardia, Boston Logan, and Midway International. Beyond the U.S. it includes Toronto Pearson International, Munich International, Haneda International (Tokyo), Indira Gandhi International (Delhi), and Syndey Airport.

Earlier this month Apple added COVID-19 vaccination locations to Apple Maps.

The future has arrived — that was the thought I had the first time I used the Waverly Labs Ambassador Interpreter. This gadget is like something out of Star Trek. You set the app up on your smartphone, put the earphone in your ear, and just like that, you're communicating in a new language. The Interpreter can translate 20 different prominent languages in 42 different dialects. This is a game changer, especially for someone like me who loves to travel the world.

So far I have had a chance to test this unit out in English, Spanish, and Arabic. It worked well in all three languages, although it's a little stronger in the Spanish to English translations, perhaps because these two languages have similar Latin roots. Regardless, I was able to communicate adequately in all three languages with people of several different nationalities. I noticed lots of advantages and a few disadvantages to using this device — all of these are outlined below.

Ambassador Interpreter: Price and availability

The Ambassador Interpreter is currently only available as a direct purchase from the manufacturer. This is a new product invention that is not yet available from mainstream retailers. One advantage of this is that Waverly Labs has a good return and exchange policy, so you can trust that any product you receive from them will be backed by a solid warranty. It's currently available for $179, which is a great deal since you receive two interpreter ear-pieces that are meant to be used by two different people. I think this product is worth more than its modest price tag.

Ambassador Interpreter: The triple language challenge

Aside from the obvious cool factor, I appreciate the fact that the Ambassador Interpreter system is super easy to set up and use. Once the app was downloaded, I paired the earbuds to my iPhone 12 Pro Max the same way I would pair any wireless earphones. From there, I just chose which mode I wanted to use (Listen, Converse, or Lecture) and the translator started murmuring the translation in my ear in real time. It also translated all speech into a written translation on the iPhone, so I could read as well as hear what was being said. Very simple and straightforward.

At first I used the Listen mode in Spanish only. I set it up in Colombian Spanish and told my (Colombian) husband to speak to me in Spanish. Since I am fluent in Spanish, I was able to judge the quality of the translation. The translation in Spanish was almost perfect if my husband spoke clearly. If he spoke super fast or ran the words together, the Ambassador Interpreter would request that he repeat himself. I was curious how the translation would stack up against an automatic translator like the Google Translator app, so I tested them against each other. The translations were very similar, but due to the dialects that the Ambassador Interpreter has installed, the Waverly Labs device was able to more closely translate Colombian slang, while Google stuck to a very direct, generic translation. All in all, the Ambassador Interpreter won against Google Translate because they do have the local dialects and colloquialisms installed into the device.

My next experiment was to try it out in Converse Mode to see how it worked with an Arabic to English translation and vice versa. My mother in law is half Syrian (how's that for multicultural?), but she doesn't speak a word of English, so it was an interesting exchange. We both wore one Ambassador Interperter earphone; mine was set to translate her Arabic speech to English, and hers was set to translate English to Arabic. Everything we said came out as a text translation in the Ambassador Interpreter app. We talked about the weather in Syria and our favorite foods. It was a fun experience, and very strange since we usually only communicate in Spanish.

According to my mother-in-law and some Syrian cousins who also tried out the device, the Arabic translation from English is not as accurate as the English to Spanish translation, but it allowed us all to communicate with each other just fine. I am super excited to use this device for traveling. I remember having the hardest time of it when I got lost on the Paris train years ago — what a difference this device would have made! It will also be invaluable for my husband's upcoming trip to Syria. He has no language in common with the Syrian side of his family, so this device will make it possible to communicate with his extended family in a way that would have been otherwise impossible without someone to serve as translator.

Finally, I did try out the "Lecture" mode, which allows you to speak using the device to translate for you on the iPhone or a Bluetooth speaker. This is excellent if you need to lecture or make presentations in a second language. Your business can save a load of money by using an Ambassador Interpreter instead of hiring a live interpreter. I can imagine a lot of scenarios where this feature would be incredibly useful in business environments.

Ambassador Interpreter: What's not so good

As I mentioned in the previous section, the translation from Arabic to English (and vice versa) was not as accurate as the translations between Spanish and English. This is likely due to the fact that Spanish and English are simply more similar to each other than English and Arabic, which have roots in completely different regions and languages. Another reason for this may be that there is no "Syrian" dialect in the Ambassador Interpreter, whereas we did have a specific "Colombian" dialect of Spanish. I assume that if I were speaking with someone from Lebanon using the Lebanese dialect, the translation would likely be more accurate. Either way, we were able to communicate and understand each other in Arabic, so that's the point of the Interpreter in the first place. The app and devices are continuously updated, so this aspect will likely be improved over time.

I also noticed that I have to re-pair the earbuds in the Bluetooth settings panel every time I use them. This is not a huge deal, but it's something to point out, since most of my Bluetooth earphones connect automatically after the first pairing. I haven't tried to troubleshoot this problem with Waverly Labs; perhaps it is an easy fix. Regardless, it does not affect the usage or effectiveness of the product.

Finally, I'd like to see a way to record logs of translations and conversations. If I were using the Ambassador Interpreters for work purposes, I think a translation log history would come in handy in case I forgot some part of the conversation, or if I just wanted to review it at a later time. Perhaps the manufacturer will add this feature in the future.

Ambassador Interpreter: Competition

The Ambassador Interpreter is an innovative new product, and there are few products in the marketplace right now to contend with it. The only other comparable products I can find are the WT2 Plus AI Realtime Translator Earbuds from Timekettle. The WT2 offers a similar service, translation earbuds that work with a specialized smartphone app. These have the capability to translate 40 different languages - more than the Ambassador Interpreter - but they are also $70 more expensive.

Ambassador Interpreter: Should you buy it?

• You travel a lot for pleasure or work.
• You work on a regular basis with people who speak different languages.
• You're learning a second language.
• You have family members from different parts of the world.

• You've never left your hometown and don't plan to.
• You've never met anyone that speaks a different language.
• You need a detailed history of each translation.

World travelers, international businesses, and intercultural families can all reap huge benefits from this smart device. For business travel alone, this inexpensive device is much more affordable than a live translator. I personally plan to use it during my travels, and my husband plans to use it to speak to long-distance family members in other parts of the world. The translations are accurate and fast, with both spoken and written translations to make sure everyone stays on the same page. With Listen, Converse, and Lecture modes, there are a lot of different ways to use the Ambassador Interpreter, and a lot of different situations that call for this type of technology. Honestly, the possibilities are endless.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps has rolled its speed camera feature out to more countries.
• The Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, and more have now gained the feature.

Apple Maps is extending the rollout of its speed camera feature to new countries after users in the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Norway, and Sweden began to notice the feature over the last few hours.

Apple describes its speed camera feature as a safety one, giving users the chance to anticipate slow-moving traffic when they are about to reach it.

The rollout was first noted by iCulture after it went live in a couple of countries. Various people have taken to social media to share that they are also seeing the feature as well. Previously, it was only available to those in the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Users will of course see the new speed camera feature when using CarPlay, while some users have also reported receiving push notifications when reaching a speed camera. That particular feature doesn't appear to be live for everyone, however.

Don't have a car with CarPlay built in? No problem, you can add an aftermarket one, too. We've already covered some of the best CarPlay-enabled audio receivers around. An underrated feature, CarPlay puts your iPhone's screen onto your car's dashboard to make it not only easier to use, but more importantly safer, too. Navigation and music apps are particularly great via Apple CarPlay.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps and other platforms no longer show H&M clothing stores in China.
• That's because the company has chosen to stop sourcing from the Xinjiang region of the country over allegations of forced labor.
• Searching for H&M on any number of platforms now returns no results.

Reports indicate that H&M clothing stores are no longer available to see on platforms including Apple Maps in China, following the company's decision to stop sourcing materials from the Xinjiang region of the country.

According to The Wall Street Journal:

Platforms, including Apple Maps, now show no results when users search for H&M. Other affected services include ride-hailing apps and e-commerce apps. As the report notes, the development is the result of retaliation from China against Western companies, most recently ones that have spoken out over forced labor allegations:

As The Verge notes, Apple relies on a Chinese mapping company, AutoNavi (AMAP), for its maps in China, suggesting the decision to remove H&M listings was out of the company's hands. The Verge also reports that the Chinese government and state-sponsored media "have urged boycotts of Western brands". With regard to H&M, this seems to have been in response to a statement from H&M made last year in which it said it was "deeply concerned by reports from civil society organizations and media that include accusations of forced labor and discrimination of ethnoreligious minorities in Xinjiang."

This week a report claimed Apple's App Store was hosting apps developed by sections of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a group that has links to Uyghur abuses in the reason.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps now includes listings for 20,000 COVID-19 vaccination locations.
• The update covers the U.S. only.
• More locations will be added soon.

It's getting easier to find places dispensing COVID-19 vaccines in your area. On Tuesday, Apple announced an update to the Apple Maps app that includes vaccination locations from VaccineFinder. Developed by Boston Children's Hospital, the service shows vaccine availability for those eligible at providers and pharmacies around the United States.

To find a location, you can use the Search bar in Apple Maps by selecting COVID-19 Vaccines in the Find Nearby menu. Siri also has this information. Just say, "Where can I get a COVID vaccination?" For each location listed, you'll see a place card showing its operating hours, address, phone numbers, and a link to the provider's website, where Maps users can learn more about available vaccines and book appointments.

At launch, the VaccineFinder-COVID-19 mapping tool offers up-to-date listings for 20,000 locations, with more being added in the coming weeks.

According to Apple:

Seeing the COVID-19 update in the Apple Maps app doesn't require an app update. Instead, it's being rolled out automatically beginning today, March 16.

What you need to know

• Apple Maps may soon tell you how busy a location is and if it is open using location data.
• The feature would use anonymous and encrypted data from iPhone users that protected their privacy.

Apple Maps may soon offer a handy feature that Google Maps users have been enjoying for years.

As spotted by a user on Reddit, the latest iOS 14.5 beta includes new language in the Location Services section of the Settings app that points to the new feature. As explained in the copy, Apple refers to a new feature that, using anonymous location data from iPhone users, could inform Apple Maps users if a location is open and busy.

Of course, the data sent to Apple will be anonymous and encrypted, so the company won't know who is at the location.

from r/applemaps

Google Maps has had a similar feature for years. The feature allows you to check the hours of a business as well as view when it is at its busiest. This is handy for those who wish to miss the rush that some stores inherently experience during certain hours and on certain days.

Trying to figure out the best mapping app for your needs? Check out our list of the Best Map Apps for iPhone in 2021.

Apple's version of this feature, in stark contrast to Google, would aim to provide this helpful information without collecting any personal information from its users. If Apple could do so, it would be another win for users without the cost of privacy.

What you need to know

• Apple's Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF) has been adopted by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as a Community Standard.
• Apple positions its format as a way to offer indoor mapping while preserving privacy and security.

Apple's Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF), which the company uses to offer indoor maps through its Apple Maps service, has been adopted by the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) as a Community Standard.

The company announced the news in an update on the Apple Developer website.

The format, which was developed by Apple, allows property owners to offer indoor maps while retaining security and privacy controls. Unlike other indoor services, which use physical technology like beacons, IMDF operates with just an iPhone or iPad.

Anyone interested in building out indoor maps can learn more about the Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF) as well as Displaying an Indoor Map.

Apple has been continuously improving its mapping service, expanding features like turn-by-turn directions and Look Around to more areas across the globe. The iOS 14.5 beta even introduces the ability for users to report accidents and hazards, a feature that competing maps service Waze has had for years.