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October 25, 2008
Next major iPhone software update to feature support for transit and walking directions.
From AppleInisider:
When set in Directions mode, Maps now offers three icons -- car, public transit, and walking -- centered at the top of screen, in between the "Edit" and "Start" buttons. Selecting the transit icon provides a list of transit choices that can include subways, buses, or a combination of the two.
A list of departure times and estimated commute times accompany each transit option. Once you select a particular method of transit, the Maps application will serve up step-by-step directions from your current location, usually directing you to your chosen departure subway or bus stop on foot. During commutes, Maps will specify when you should board or disembark from a bus or train.
Read the full article for screen shots and more information.
My comments: Although each local transit agency (and transit-supportive local web sites) may offer tools more directly tailored to a locale, this effort by Google and Apple will provide a valuable tool for frequent travelers with a consistent interface, and the additional visibility this provides, just from a PR perspective, may prod more transit agencies to provide real-time and schedule data to service providers like Google.
Posted by Bob Richardson at 12:23 PM
Comments
October 25, 2008 12:52 PM
John Russell Says:
With real time transit data, would it be able to suggest a quicker route in real time if, for instance, a particular bus became delayed?
October 25, 2008 5:48 PM
Jason McHuff Says:
My guess is no. I'm pretty sure that Google Transit just uses the standard schedule data that transit agencies provide it and doesn't access real-time systems, which are often agency-specific.
(Note that I do not have a JesusPhone as I prefer Palm OS, on which you can run the programs you want to)
October 25, 2008 5:55 PM
Jeff F Says:
Google Transit data is only as current as the latest schedule distribution from any agency; there is no real-time access.
October 25, 2008 11:21 PM
al m Says:
October 27, 2008 2:03 AM
ambrown Says:
It's remarkable to think how this proliferation of geographic knowledge and maps could change the urban landscape in ten years, especially when you consider how cell phones barely existed only ten years ago.
