Professional ratings and reviews from leading industry experts are being added to Apple Maps, which is a significant upgrade. This will aid consumers who are seeking for high-quality reviews, not just user reviews, which should help distinguish Apple from Google.
Finding restaurants is one of the main features of this upgrade, which will initially only be available in the US. The famous star rating system of the Michelin Guide, which is familiar to foodies worldwide, will now be included in Apple Maps. App users will be able to easily identify restaurants with one, two, or three Michelin stars—a sign of outstanding food.
Additionally, users will see restaurants that have earned the Bib Gourmand, which honors establishments that provide excellent food at a reasonable price, and the Michelin Green Star, which promotes eco-friendly operations. With the use of this comprehensive system, consumers may narrow down their search results according to their preferred dining experience and level of sustainability interest.
Hotels are also included in the update, beginning with the “Michelin Key” designation given by the Michelin Guide to establishments that satisfy strict quality and service requirements. Similar to restaurant ratings, search criteria will make it simple to find these highly rated hotels, enabling guests to choose accommodations that suit their tastes in a timely manner.
Golf fans will find it much simpler to choose the top courses with Apple Maps’ addition of Golf Digest ratings. In the near future, customers will have access to Golf Digest’s rankings and evaluations, which will assist players in selecting courses based on in-depth analysis and expert advise.
Apple Maps users can now identify restaurants and hotels with specific Michelin awards, Green Stars, or Bib Gourmand certification using advanced search parameters in addition to ratings. This helps you find the proper spot more quickly by making searches more accurate. The update offers more than just star ratings; it also contains carefully chosen guides from each partner source.
Users can make direct reservations for some hotels using Apple Maps rather than going to a different booking website. Apple has also stated that it will offer direct booking for restaurants and golf tee times in the future, which will make it easier to find and reserve spots.
Google Maps’ complete reliance on user reviews makes it challenging to judge a restaurant’s quality. Many reviews I’ve read include people overreacting or not giving them additional stars since the dish was more pricey than they anticipated. It’s unclear whether the basic web app will display the new evaluations, since Apple Maps currently lacks a dedicated client for Windows and Android smartphones.
Initially, the new review tools will be given available in the US before being extended to other countries.