Landmarks: Free directory of 3D models in Apple Maps

When Apple presented its newly designed maps in 2021, there was also a small Easter egg for users to discover: Apple stored special sights as 3D models in selected cities. Some of them already existed before, but the new 3D models are much more detailed and true to scale than the earlier ones. Alone: ​​Finding all 3D models is sometimes difficult. In addition to well-known places, there are also sights in the USA that initially mean nothing to Europeans, but which are still beautiful to look at. A new app wants to operate here as a kind of directory.

According to the developer, Landmarks lists 300 of these 3D models. From Germany there are places in Hamburg, Berlin and Munich. New models will be added in the future. A Canadian-resident Russian-Ukrainian couple’s app is free to download. A gyroscope function can be activated as an in-app purchase in order to be able to experience the models in the app in a different way. Users are free to choose whether to view the sights in the app or switch to Apple’s Maps app from there.

The app is available for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. The developers promise that the models will be displayed a little better within Landmarks than in the map app. Incidentally, former Apple chief cartographer Justin O’Beirne also offers a list of the sights on his website.

(mki)