Cycling Directions
Apple Maps gets a lot of criticism for how much it lags behind Google Maps, and while some of that is deserved, for the most part its evolved in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Plus, Apple doesn’t tend to just bolt on features haphazardly — when it adds something, it does it very well.
Such is the case with the new Cycling Directions feature that’s coming in iOS 14, which will not only direct you via the appropriate routes for taking your bike around town, but will provide much more detailed information and guidance. For example, it will tell you in advance whether you can expect a challenging ride with steep, hilly terrain or a relaxing flat ride, as well as whether the roads you’ll be travelling on will be quiet or busy. The turn-by-turn directions will also let you know when you’ll need to dismount to climb stairs or cross streets, and there will be routing options to avoid challenges like stairs altogether.
Plus, it’s going to be available on the device where cycling directions are the most useful: the Apple Watch, complete with haptic feedback for turn-by-turn directions. This is something that Google Maps can’t match right now, since it actually abandoned its Apple Watch app entirely a few years ago.