iOS SDK Overview

Overview

The iPhone® Operating System (iOS) Software Development Kit (SDK) consists of MapKit3D, NavigationKit, and SearchKit. It provides developers a rich set of programming interfaces to build mapping, routing, turn by turn navigation, and to build search apps for iOS mobile devices. It enables developers to add location-based features with limited effort and to speed up their development cycles.

Various sample apps are available in open sources to download, including some User Interface (UI) widgets to demonstrate the use of SDK.

The major functions of all the iOS SDK Kits are highlighted in the following sections.

Mapping

The Apple iOS Programming Interfaces (APIs) provide mapping related functions to display and interact with the 2D and 3D street maps from different vendors, and overlay additional information such as traffic and doppler images.

The major functions include:

  • Geographic mapping features

    • Geographic features and road networks

    • Textured 3D buildings and landmarks

    • Overlay of geometric objects such as polyline, polygon, icon/image on map

    • Smooth map movement animation

    • Touch gestures including zoom, pan, pinch, tilt, rotate, etc.

  • Custom layers

    • Real-time traffic flow and incidents

    • Doppler weather

    • A collection of types of Points of Interest (POIs) on map

    • Satellite overlay

  • Multiple data sources: TOSM, HERE™, TomTom®

  • Map data availability in over 80 countries

Search

The APIs help users to find places to eat, shop, visit, and more.

The major Search functions include:

  • Easy-to-use single search box for POIs, categories, and addresses

  • Popular search engine capabilities, such as suggestion, and auto completion

  • Categories for exploring places

  • Forward and reverse geocoding

  • Multiple POI database aggregation with deduplications

Routing and Navigation

The APIs provide routing and turn-by-turn navigation related functions including multiple route selections and voice guidance.

The major functions include:

  • Routes for different types of transportation: car, truck, and pedestrian

  • Real-time traffic-based routing

  • Alternative routes based on traffic conditions and user preferences

  • Turn by turn voice guidance

  • Lane and natural guidance

  • Speed limits and speed limit alerts

  • Highway signs

  • Offboard and onboard routing and navigation

  • Multiple languages and countries are supported

Note
 A UI widget is available, making it simple for you to overlay a full navigation session on your application.