Apple Insider has uncovered some new Apple patents that may make maps a lot easier to figure out. The general idea is that they’ll highlight the stuff you care about through exaggeration: routes are bigger, landmarks are emphasised, etc.
The patent, entitled “Schematic Maps”, is supposed to get rid of the fluff in maps today (who cares about that street when you’re only going up to this street?) and simplify directions. The maps may be distorted in the sense that the maps won’t reflect “real life” — distances may be misrepresented and routes may only highlight what’s important on that route. The end goal, of course, is to make it easier for users to get one from point to another. Theoretically, it makes sense but for map purists like me, I rather see the whole picture. [AppleInsider]