One of the things that I really like about Apple Maps is the fact that they’ve got 3D models of various different landmarks and highlights in certain cities. These are growing and expanding over time. In fact, as I’m making this video with the Paris Olympics about a week away, Apple actually made 3D models for every permanent venue in the city of Paris. Whilst these 3D models are incredibly detailed and really beautiful to explore, it’s a little bit tricky doing that in the Apple Maps app. You can’t really get in as close as you want to, and there are always place names and stuff that overlap.

Well, I’m going to show you an app called Landmarks, and I’ll link it in the description down below. It’s an app that takes the 3D models from Maps, gets rid of all the distractions, and lets you learn about the different landmarks as well. On the home screen, I can scroll down to France and then choose Paris. Then you’re going to see a list of every detailed 3D model that Apple has got available in Maps, which you can then raise and explore in this Landmarks app.

I’m going to go to that same venue that I just explored in Maps, the Grand Palais, and we’re going to see how the experience differs in this app. Straight away, you can see that the only focus is that beautiful building, and there’s a nice slow pan around the 3D model. At the bottom, there’s information about that building, including the name and a brief overview. What’s really nice here is I can use my fingers to zoom in and explore, even getting right down to near enough street level to look at the detail. Just look at the front of the building and how beautifully rendered that is in this 3D model, even the statue here on the pillar.

But there’s another feature in Landmarks I absolutely love. If I press the option button in the top right-hand corner, I can change the time of day from daytime to nighttime. Just watch how this model comes to life with the lighting effects; that glow is absolutely stunning.

Let’s go back and explore another venue for the Olympics while we’re here. Just as a reminder, all of these models are the exact same as the ones in the Maps app, even the night versions with the lights. This app just makes it much easier and more fun to browse. Let’s have a quick look at this stadium. You can see that as soon as you select it, you get that gentle pan again. Just like before, I can view it at night or in the daytime, and at the bottom, there are more locations that are nearby. It’s not just Olympic venues; every single landmark from Apple Maps is also available in this app to explore.

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