iPhone 2.2 Beta Brings Enhanced Google Maps, Street View Materializes

As reported in previous postings, Street View was rumored to come with the latest iPhone release and has finally materialized. Along side the much anticipated feature comes new ways to map directions such as making your transit by bus or walking instead of being limited to driving directions. In addition, your current location can be emailed to any recipient which will automatically open in Google Maps when the sent link is clicked.

New Ways To Find New Things

One of the biggest hassles for the gas conscious, bike riding or just walk everywhere iPhone user was Map’s output of directions that was convenient for those who owned some mode of transportation with more two or more wheels and could be branded by the DMV. Needless to say it gets be an inconvenience when “Cross onto major Freeway for 10 miles” becomes a constant step in getting to your destination when a pair of roller blades and an 80’s themed playlist on your Walkman is whats at your disposal.

Found in Seed 2 of the latest Firmware 2.2 Beta is a more urban approach to navigating through massive concrete jungles. If the Subway or bus is a component in reaching point B from point A and maybe an additional stop at Point C for movies and some dinner, you’ll be absolutely thrilled to know that Maps now acknowledges both as a viable means of transportation. Taking this a step further is departure times for either modes of moving which should streamline the process of going about. To further enhance our daily navigations, Maps has so kindly included markers showing where a bus or subway stop resides with you guessed it, a bus or a subway icon.

Taking the quickest route may not be in your bag and why should it, that new pair of sneakers is just begging for a thorough workout along the scenic routes of town. Walking directions are no2 made available thanks to Apple further leveraging the Google Maps API but also made friendly through the same process by including Street View.

Always Remind Yourself Where You Are

Bearing an iPhone around friends mounts a massive burden upon your shoulders as the go to guy for finding movie times, researching inane television trivia and of course having knowledge of the hottest events in town. Well your social involvement is about to be broadened as Apple has so generously incorporated Street View within the latest Beta release of Firmware 2.2. Sure the GPS within the iPhone 3G ensured you’d never get lost unless you were totally incapable of determining what landmarks look like. If that problem afflicts you, fret not, you’ll be able to further refine your conclusion of exactly where you are by panning around the block to make sure that Joe’s Deli really is just a dozen yards away.

Street View pops up from a tool tip menu on a dropped pin and retains Map’s useful street labeling imaging if it’s enabled. Panning and zooming works much the same way it does on the big boy version of Google Maps but to make things a tad easier, the lower right hand corner displays a zoomed in location of where you dropped your pin.

A collection of screenies from the latest Beta can be found at iPhone Yap

Via: Apple Insider