<p>By Daniel Eran Dilger Vector maps in iOS 6 are so efficient that Apple can cache a very large surrounding area for offline browsing and GPS navigation under Airplane Mode or when traveling outside of data coverage. Going offline with vector maps</p><p>Apple's new Maps are a huge leap over iOS 5 maps in pure technology: the use of vector maps (mathematically described, resolution independent map information rather than static bitmapped pictures of map tiles) enables fast, sophisticated navigation of 2D and 3D views with fluid panning, rotation and perspective, in contrast to the flat, static map images provided by Apple's previous version of the app.</p><p>Using vectors also results in much less data use (an estimated 80 percent less), as your iPhone can download large areas of maps faster (eating up less of your data plan and battery).</p><p>The efficient outlines can also work offline far further after you lose your data connection. For example, while iOS 5 Maps would load Google's map tiles of the immediate area being browsed at a couple zoom levels for offline browsing (generally less than a 10 mile radius), Apple's new vector maps, once loaded in San Francisco, allowed us to browse an entire continent of high level maps (state outlines) while offline, north from Anchorage, Alaska to Lima, Peru and from Honolulu, Hawaii to Montreal, Canada.</p><p><a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/10/05/apples-new-ios-6-maps-support-automatic-offline-use-for-a-wide-area">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/national/apple-aapl-ios-6-review-dutch-satellite-navigation-company-tomtom-comments-on-map-debacle">Apple (AAPL) iOS 6 review: Dutch satellite navigation company TomTom ...</a> (WPTV)</p><p><a href="http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57526281-233/google-maps-with-street-view-on-ios-what-it-can-and-cant-do/">Google Maps with Street View on iOS: What it can and can&#039;t do</a> (CNET)</p><p><a href="http://thedroidguy.com/2012/10/apples-ios-6-maps-supports-offline-data/">Apple&#039;s iOS 6 Maps supports offline data</a> (The Droid Guy)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=d0w2VKJrjBCjYbMwsVBsU_xyZIFlM&ned=us">1,009 additional articles.</a></p>