Yesterday, Apple threw this little event called WWDC, where the tech giant showed off many new things, one being a revamped Maps app in iOS 6. The good thing about the revamped Maps app is its much improved look and functionality. The bad news is, not every iPhone user will get the chance to use it.
Yes, you heard correct people. It looks like Apple will have some fragmentation issues with this new feature. Word is the awesome features that were announced in the new Maps won’t be supported on hardware released prior to 2011. To be brief, you’ll need at least A5-enabled iOS devices to use Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation. So in simple terms, you’re out of luck if you don’t have an iPhone 4S or iPad 2 (wipe that grin off your face Android fans). Apple made this clear on the previews page, in fine print of course. Here’s how it reads:
Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation will be available only on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later”, says the fine print. Furthermore, “some features may not be available in all countries or all areas.
This is not only surprising, but also a bit disappointing. I understand the limitation that previous iPhone’s may have when it comes to 3D graphics, which doesn’t allow for the new Maps application to work properly. That being said, it doesn’t explain why turn-by-turn navigation isn’t offered. I’m sure folks can live without the 3D maps, but not being able to use turn-by-turn navi will piss many people off – especially, since it’s been a feature iPhone users have waited for forever.