Apple Maps to get crowdsourced incident reports with iOS 14.5



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Crowdsourced traffic incident reports have been a feature of Waze and Google Maps for years, and now it looks like this feature is finally going to make its way to Apple Maps. As spotted by Roadshow, the beta of iOS 14.5 updates Apple Maps to allow you to report incidents on the road. In its current iteration, the feature offers limited onscreen controls. As you can see in the picture MacRumors taken from the beta, you can report a roadblock as an accident, danger or a speed check.

In contrast, in Waze and Google Maps you have these options, as well as those dedicated to lane closures, construction, and more. However, what can help Apple convince iOS users to give up Google’s apps once and for all is that you can access this feature without touching your iPhone. You can speak to Siri to report both a new incident and one that has already been resolved, so you can keep your hands on the wheel throughout the process. At a time when governments around the world are taking a tough stance on distracted driving, this is a big advantage for Apple Maps. Of course, the functionality is also compatible with Apple CarPlay.

Beyond crowdsourced incident reporting for Maps, iOS 14.5 is shaping up to be an important release. It includes a feature that allows you to unlock your iPhone via Face ID even while wearing a mask as long as you also have an Apple Watch on hand. It also includes support for Xbox Series X / S and PlayStation 5 controllers and 5G dual SIM. Notably, it will also allow you to set a third-party service that Siri will work with by default when you ask the digital assistant to play music.

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