Apple Maps’ Look Around feature is now available on the web, letting users explore cities in 360-degree views. Learn about the expansion of this Google Street View competitor.

 Apple Maps Expands Its Virtual Reach on the Web


Apple Maps has always been a competitor to Google Maps, but now it’s taking another step forward in enhancing its user experience. After launching its beta web version in July, Apple has now introduced the much-anticipated Look Around feature to the web, allowing users to virtually explore select cities directly from their desktops. This move positions Apple Maps as a serious contender to Google’s Street View, providing an immersive, 360-degree view of urban landscapes. With the new feature, users can now look around virtually and explore streets from the comfort of their own homes, a step toward redefining how people navigate the world online.

Look Around: Apple's Answer to Google Street View


The Look Around feature on Apple Maps allows users to explore streets and locations in a way that is similar to Google’s iconic Street View. First introduced on the Apple Maps app, Look Around is now available on the web, giving users an even greater opportunity to navigate and discover new places. The feature offers a 360-degree, panoramic view of a street, making it feel as though users are physically walking through the area.

Much like Google Street View, Look Around allows users to "fly" over streets, dragging the screen to move around and zoom in on specific spots for a detailed view. This new addition allows users to take virtual trips to selected cities without leaving their homes, helping people discover different locations from around the globe.

Where Can You Use Look Around on Apple Maps?


Currently, the availability of Look Around is still limited, but Apple has big plans to expand the feature. On the Apple Maps website, users can find a full list of "Look Around Locations," including select cities in the U.S., Japan, and several European Union countries. The feature is continuously expanding, with plans to add more cities, smaller locations, and rural areas in the future.

Apple has also expressed its intention to broaden the scope of Look Around to additional countries, including Egypt, China, and Mexico. As the company works to enhance its coverage, users can expect the feature to become more widely available over time.

Getting Started with Look Around on Apple Maps Web


To explore a specific location on the web using Look Around, users need only click the binoculars icon located at the lower left corner of the map. This action activates the 360-degree view, allowing users to virtually "walk" the streets of their selected city. The ability to explore new locations in such detail directly from the desktop is a major leap forward for Apple Maps.

Although Apple Maps' Look Around feature was initially available only on mobile devices, the expansion to the web marks a significant milestone in improving the accessibility and functionality of the service. Despite the feature's current limitations, including the need for specific browsers and devices, Apple has promised to add more features and improve the web version over the coming months.

What’s Next for Look Around? Apple’s Plan for Expansion


While Look Around currently has a limited scope, Apple’s roadmap suggests a broader rollout in the near future. The company is working hard to increase the coverage and availability of the feature, with plans to expand it to smaller cities, rural areas, and new countries.

The expansion of Look Around will allow Apple Maps to compete more directly with Google’s Street View by providing a broader range of locations and a more immersive experience. As more cities and regions are added to the feature, it could become an essential tool for virtual exploration and travel, providing users with even more ways to discover new places.

A Step Toward a More Immersive Mapping Experience


The launch of Look Around on Apple Maps’ web version is a significant step forward in making digital exploration more accessible and immersive. With plans for continued expansion, Apple is poised to offer users a rich, interactive mapping experience that rivals, and perhaps even exceeds, the functionality of Google’s Street View. As the feature grows and evolves, it could reshape the way we navigate and explore the world around us, both online and in real life.