Terrific essay by Justin O’Beirne looking at Apple and Google maps through a cartographic lens.

Both are the default mapping apps on their respective operating systems (Android and iOS).

And both are in a race to become the world’s first Universal Map”Š–”Šthat is, the first map used by a majority of the global population. In many ways, this makes Google Maps & Apple Maps two of the most important maps ever made.

Who will get there first?

And will design be a factor?

In this series of essays, we’ll compare and contrast the cartographic designs of Google Maps and Apple Maps. We’ll take a look at what’s on each map and how each map is styled, and we’ll also try to uncover the biggest differences between the two.

Hat tip to Nick Heer at Pixel Envy