Have you gotten used to Apple’s Maps app but still miss the street view from Google Maps? “Streets” brings back street view to your iOS device, and also gives you some other views you may not have seen before. If you’re a user of the “Where To?” app from the same developer, you’ll find that it integrates well with that app giving you some added flexibility when looking for nearby attractions.
Overview
Streets works well with Apple Maps on your iOS device. It’s easy to select a location in the Maps app, jump over to Streets to view the street level view, and jump right back to Maps when you’re done.
Streets uses Google vector map, satellite, and street view technology so everything can be viewed just like in Google Maps. I noticed while using the app that the street view seemed sharper than the one I remember from Google Maps. I loaded the Google Maps app and compared the views. The developer claims their street view offers a higher resolutions and zoom feature than Google’s app, and I have to say, from what I saw, it definitely is. Another nice feature is by tapping the street view’s title bar, you can view the date the image was taken.
I also found the indicators on the map showing where street views were available very handy.
You can forward your panorama street view info to others via mail, message, Facebook, Twitter, or even save your view to your camera roll on your device.
Any recent searches and your selected map style is saved to iCloud, so it can be synced and shared among all of your iOS devices.
One fun to play with feature of the app is the “gallery places” feature. Using it you can explore museums, ski resorts, and other attractions. I explored the Crary Science Center in Antarctica. Very cool.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the review, if you are a user of the “Where To?” app by the same developer, (available only on the iPhone), you can find attractions in the Where To? app and zip directly to a street view of that location and back again. A very nice feature seeing two apps working together like that.
Verdict
If you’re a confirmed user of Apple Maps but miss the street view of Google Maps Streets is a good app to take a look at. For the price of $0.99, the app offers some nice features. The integration with Apple Maps, and the developers own Where To? app, offers a nice addition to your navigation arsenal.
The higher resolution views of the streets is a nice touch, and I loved the ability to save street views to the camera roll, or to forward it to others via Facebook, Twitter, email and messaging.
Rating: 3.5/5[rating:3.5]
Price: $0.99 – Available for the iPhone and iPad in the App Store. [DIRECT LINK]
Pros:
- Higher resolution street views than other apps.
- Integration with Apple Maps and the developer’s other app Where To? is a nice touch.
- Indication on the map where street view is available, very handy.
Cons:
- The integration with Apple Maps is a little awkward, having to select the bus option before tapping route seems unnatural.
* The above review was commissioned by the developer in accordance with our app review policy, and has been written in an objective, unbiased fashion.
