Apple Maps putting Long Island drivers at risk with false red light camera alerts
Sigh. It’s May 2025, folks, and believe it or not, Apple Maps still hasn’t caught up with a change that happened on Long Island way back in 2024. If you’re driving through Suffolk County, New York, chances are your iPhone is still screaming about red light cameras that no longer exist. You see, the county shut the whole program down in December of last year, but Apple hasn’t bothered to update its navigation data. The alerts keep coming like the cameras are still up and active -- but they actually aren’t.
For years, Suffolk’s red light camera program was a point of frustration. Sure, officials said it was about safety, but many residents saw it differently -- especially once it brought in nearly $290 million. Then came a court ruling that said the extra fees attached to the tickets weren’t legal. That basically brought the system to its knees. Suffolk shut it all down. But Apple? Still acting like nothing’s changed.
Apple is renaming the Gulf of Mexico in Apple Maps… and is going further than Google
Shortly after Google Maps changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, Apple Maps is starting to do the same.
When Google rolled out the name change at the weekend, the company took a three-pronged approach which means three different naming conventions are used in different parts of the world. Having started to implement the name change itself, Apple is showing that it is willing to do more than Google by making the change global.
Apple Maps on the web launches in beta
Apple has just unveiled a public beta for Apple Maps on the web, a move that is sure to excite users like me who prefer Apple Maps to Google Maps. I am particularly thrilled about this development, as I find Apple Maps to be superior for my navigation needs. This new web-based access allows users worldwide to experience Apple Maps directly from their browsers.
With this beta release, users can now obtain driving and walking directions, find various places with useful information such as photos, hours, ratings, and reviews, and even order food directly from the Maps place card. Additionally, curated Guides help users discover places to eat, shop, and explore in cities around the globe. Exciting features like Look Around are slated for release in the coming months.