Apple is preparing to enhance its Maps application with two significant features in the upcoming iOS 26 update: natural language search capabilities and improved thermal management during navigation. These additions aim to provide a more intuitive user experience and address common issues related to device overheating.
Natural Language Search: Enhancing User Interaction
The introduction of natural language search will allow users to interact with Apple Maps more conversationally. Instead of relying on specific keywords or exact place names, users can input queries like Best coffee shops with free Wi-Fi, and the app will interpret and provide relevant results. This feature is particularly beneficial for users in smaller towns or less populated areas, where traditional search methods may yield limited or irrelevant results.
The phrase Search the Way You Talk has been identified in the localization files for iOS 26 Maps, indicating this upcoming functionality. This development follows Apple’s previous integration of natural language processing in other applications such as the App Store, Photos, and Music, where it has significantly improved search accuracy and user satisfaction.
Thermal Management: Addressing Overheating Concerns
Another notable enhancement in iOS 26 is the app’s ability to manage the iPhone’s thermal state during navigation. Currently, Apple Maps keeps the screen active during turn-by-turn directions to ensure visibility, which can lead to device overheating, especially when mounted on a car dashboard under direct sunlight or while charging.
With the new update, Apple Maps will monitor the device’s temperature and, if it begins to overheat, will allow the display to turn off temporarily to facilitate cooling. This proactive approach not only conserves battery life but also protects the device’s hardware from potential heat damage. Users will receive alerts explaining why the screen has turned off, ensuring transparency and understanding of this new behavior.
Current Status and Availability
As of now, these features are not active in the current iOS 26 developer beta. However, some users have reported that the thermal management feature may already be functioning in iOS 18, suggesting a phased rollout. The natural language search capability appears to be exclusive to iOS 26 and remains unavailable in earlier versions.
Apple is known for introducing onboarding prompts for new features, and similar notifications are expected when these enhancements become publicly available. The official release of iOS 26 is anticipated this fall, coinciding with the launch of new iPhone models, with a public beta likely to be available later this summer.
