Apple Maps on the web adds the Look Around feature.
Google Street View now faces competition on the web.
Recently, Apple has expanded the functions of its online mapping service, which was launched in beta in July, by including street-level views through the Look Around tool in several cities. To use Look Around, users can select the binoculars icon located in the bottom left corner of the map window, similar to how it is done in the Apple Maps app on devices such as the iPhone or iPad. This allows users to drag the map and explore different first-person perspectives in major cities.
At its launch, the beta version of Apple Maps on the web offered basic functionalities such as searching for points of interest, viewing ratings, navigating area guides, and obtaining directions. With the inclusion of Look Around, the web version progresses toward feature parity with the Apple Maps app available on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, although it lacks customization features, such as searching for addresses in contacts or the option to save locations in the library.
On a personal level, many users, including myself, prefer to use the Apple Maps app on their Macs instead of other navigation programs, noting that Look Around often provides a smoother experience than Google Street View. However, there are times when it is necessary to turn to Google Maps, as Look Around is not available in some locations, such as my hometown of Baltimore, MD, despite having spotted an Apple Maps van in the city back in 2017.
A complete list of cities with Look Around can be found on the Apple website.
