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Report: Revamped iOS 6 Maps App on Tap for Summer

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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Apple is currently putting the final touches on its redesigned iOS Maps application, which will likely be released this summer and include an updated user interface and color scheme, according to a new report.

BGR on Tuesday released a handful of grainy photos obtained from a "trusted source," that purportedly show the new iOS 6 Maps app Apple will unveil alongside iOS 6 next month. According to BGR, the new Maps app will have a silver color scheme, instead of the current blue.

The most impressive new feature is said to be 3D mode, which could be added as an optional mapping layer, like the existing traffic, satellite, hybrid, and list layers. According to BGR, you'll be able to access a new 3D mode by peeling back the lower right corner of Maps. Once enabled, you'll be able to switch in and out of 3D mode by pressing a 3D icon on the lower left-hand corner.

In addition to the leaked photos, BGR put together a rough mockup showing what to expect from the refreshed app (click above).

Word first spread earlier this month that Apple plans to overhaul the Maps app in the next version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6. The Cupertino tech giant is said to be ditching Google's mapping data in favor of an in-house maps solution.

The technology will be made possible thanks to a trio of acquisitions Apple has made in recent years - Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9. Rumors about Apple ditching Google for its own mapping solution made the rounds in October when the C3 purchase was reported.

Further details about iOS 6 are expected at next month's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), which kicks off June 11 in San Francisco. Apple just released the schedule and official app for WWDC. The speaker lineup was not posted, but CEO Tim Cook will likely be on stage.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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