One of the major complaints about Apple Maps (aside from its odd inaccuracies) is that it lacks anything like Google’s Street View, which allows a user to see photographic images of the location being sought.
To add Street View capability to an Apple map, the Streets app can help.
Streets uses Google’s map data, but improves a bit on Google’s presentation. For reasons that even a spokesman from the Streets designer FutureTap could not explain, the Streets app shows the Street View in higher resolution than Google does. A user can zoom in on – and read – signs that would be undecipherable in Google’s own Street View. The app is 99 cents through July, then the price will rise to $1.99.
Here is how to bring Street View images into Apple’s Maps.
In Apple Maps, look up a location or drop a pin on screen by holding a finger on a destination.
Touch the pin and a little banner appears. On the right there is a blue circle with an arrow. Touch that to go to the location screen. Then touch either “directions to here” or “directions from here.”
At the top of the next screen, icons appear for the mode of travel like driving, walking or taking public transportation. Touch the bus icon for public transportation. It is the only screen that will provide access to Street View. Then press route.
A screen appears that shows all the apps that could provide a route. Choose Streets to go to the Streets app and to the Street View of the selected location.
To return to Apple Maps, touch the map icon in the upper left.
Why not just skip Apple Maps altogether and use Google or Streets? Some iPhone apps only link to Apple Maps – for example, if you get directions from your contacts file or you ask Siri to find a location. In those instances, this little trick with Streets can be a handy shortcut.