iOS 14 can turn your iPhone into a car key

iOS 14 offers a lot of new features for users to take advantage of, but we haven't mentioned the automotive and mobility features the mobile platform offers. Apple is also improving Apple Maps and CarPlay experience with this new version of its operating system.

One of the more notable additions is turning your iPhone into your car's key with the aptly named Car Key. The feature is coming in the fall, with support for iOS 13 as well. It'll first work with the new 2021 BMW 5-Series, with other vehicles and automakers expected to support the feature next year. 

Click to read more ...

Apple Maps now highlights food deliveries, hospitals, pharmacies during COVID-19 pandemic

Apple Maps made a few changes to promote essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic better. The categories on the app now prominently feature grocery stores, nearby restaurants that are open and offer delivery options, pharmacies, and hospitals. The less practical categories have been relegated to the bottom of the list. Previously, Apple Maps prioritized Restaurants, Fast Food, Gas Stations, and Cafes.

Google Maps made a similar change earlier but with a few more tweaks. Google Maps adds a COVID-19 warning message when looking for medical facilities. The warning tells people to call their doctor first before visiting medical locations if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Google also makes it clear if businesses are temporarily closed because of the pandemic. These features aren't available on Apple's navigation app.

Source: 9to5Mac

Get a ‘look inside’ Quebec’s busiest airports with Apple Maps

The latest update to Apple Maps is giving you more detailed maps to two of Quebec’s busiest airports: Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) and Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). The update will let you see things like boarding gates, security checkpoints, check-in desks, baggage claim carousels, and more.  You can also check out the shops, restaurants, or restrooms inside the airport, ask Siri to find something nearby, find your location in real time with indoor positioning, and easily toggle between floors. Apple Maps already offers a “look inside” Toronto Pearson, Edmonton, and Vancouver International airports. You can check out all the other Maps features over here.

Apple Maps adds detailed maps for some major airports

Apple is making sure you don’t get lost in over 30 airports around the world with its newest update to its Maps app. It is now easy to find a quick meal in airports like John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia in New York, LAX in Los Angeles, Toronto Pearson, or Vancouver International, among many others. You can even ask Siri to locate something for you nearby. The feature allows for real-time indoor positioning and toggling easily between floors. You can browse for everything from shops, restaurants in specific terminals or in the entire airport, boarding gates, security checkpoints, baggage claim carousels, check-in desks, etc.

Click to read more ...