Improved Apple Maps? We'll Take It

iOS 15 adds highly detailed 3D maps, enhanced public transit features, new augmented reality (AR) mode, and more.

September 28, 2021 It's September 28, 2021. Is it too early in the week to drink? Not according to National Drink Beer Day, at least. Have at it (or grab an alcohol-free alternative)!     ⏰ Today's Big Stories... in 30 Seconds Today We Watched, Read, and Listened to (so you don't have to): 258 articles, 8 podcasts, 12 press releases, 491 tweets, and 11 YouTube videos 1. Apple Maps Update Introduces New Features and Modes to Explore Sure, Apple Maps has had problems from the start, but it keeps getting better with each release, right? Right? The latest iOS update, 15, adds cool stuff like highly detailed 3D maps (only in certain cities), enhanced public transit features, and a new augmented reality (AR) mode. Huzzah! 2. Spotify Users Report Battery Drain After iOS 15 Update iOS 15 isn't all butterflies and (AR) roses, of course, as an operating system is a complex thing. Spotify confirmed that the update may cause its streaming music app to run down the battery and heat up the iPhone it's running on. Good? No. Likely to be fixed soon? Yeah, probably. 3. New Subscription Tier Coming to Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis gamers can rejoice with the addition of several classic retro games to Nintendo Switch Online. The new tier will cost a bit more than the old one, the company says, though it hasn't specified by how much. Still, now we can play Ecco the Dolphin on our Switch, we'll gladly pay. 🦑 Go Deeper The newly announced Surface Laptop Studio looks so good that our very own Rob Rich has gadget envy, even though he just updated his MacBook to one of the latest iterations. Take a look and see his deeper dive on why he might actually trade his Apple for a Microsoft device.      🎱 By the Numbers Google still wins Data: ComScore According to ComScore's ranking of the top apps in the US, Apple Maps has gotten a little more action in 2021 than it did in 2017, while Google Maps has declined a bit since the same time period. Google still rules the roost.   🔥 Today's Hot Deal Babies and pets need supervision, and this Nooie WiFi Baby Monitor and Pet Camera has a 360-degree wireless camera, 1080p resolution, motion tracking, two-way audio, and IR night vision. Better yet, it works with Alexa and is currently a lovely 20% off, making it a chill $36.11 to you (and your baby/dog/cat/lizard).   Don't Miss This Deal 🤓 Nerd Out "It's not utter lunacy to learn more." —Tim Fisher, General Manager New high-resolution telescopes have allowed astronomers to identify an exoplanet (cleverly named PDS 70c) with the potential to form moons, a first in the study of planets in general that could help us understand how moons form in general. (Share on Twitter) 💎 You Know You Want It  Zoomin' Image: Hyundai Looking for an EV with Tesla-like range but not Tesla-like cost? Check out Hyundai's new all-electric Kona, which sports a 258-mile range for around $34,000 (that's before your potential $7,500 tax credit in the US). If nothing else, we want one, and you probably do, too.  🙈 Wait, What? Permanently deleting files is the way to go You might think that emptying the Recycle Bin on a Windows machine (or emptying the Trash on Mac) will get rid of whatever you put in there, right? Well, not really. They're still technically on your hard drive, just not available via the Finder or File Explorer.      🗞 Extra! Extra! We've got you covered with the best in daily tech news! See the latest on our site or follow us on Google News. Did someone forward this to you? Sign up here. Have something you'd like us to write about? We're always open for suggestions, too. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Tech Today newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here .   Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. A Dotdash Brand 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005 2020 Dotdash • All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.   [View in Browser]