One of the biggest news items in the world of local media & marketing is Apple’s rollout of ads for the first time in Apple Maps. As we examined last week, this monetizes high-intent local searches from billions of Apple Maps users. But there’s a catch… home services ads are banned from the program.
After lots of waiting, Siri AI is finally here. That is… it’s here in open beta. With iOS 27’s beta, available for the first time this week, Siri AI can finally see the light of day. This will likely be downloaded by a handful of early adopters and AI enthusiasts, but it’s also time to anticipate the wider release.
After two years of delayed action and lots of flak from the tech press, Apple recently made good on its AI promises. As we examined in our WWDC coverage last month, the company has finally rolled out the new AI-infused Siri, as well as an Apple Intelligence layer that stretches across its devices and apps.
Exactly two years after its splashy unveiling of Apple Intelligence, and lots of handwringing since then, Apple has made good on its AI promise. At this week’s WWDC keynote, Apple painted a more tangible picture of AI’s integration across its ubiquitous products, including Apple Intelligence and the new Siri.
Following speculation that emerged last fall, Apple has officially announced that it will start serving ads in Apple Maps. Ads will be shown alongside mapping search results, using a combination of location and contextual targeting.
Google and Apple have announced that Gemini will be the brains behind Apple’s long-awaited and AI-upgraded Siri. It will power Apple’s flagship personal assistant and elevate it to the standards of the AI age.
Is Apple looking for more ways to generate ad revenue? And could it involve local ads? New details uncovered by prolific Apple Sleuth Mark Gurman suggest yes to both questions. Of course, with all things Apple, we’re left with speculation as the company is tight-lipped about anything in development.
Though Apple talked a big game when launching Apple Intelligence, it hasn’t stuck the landing. And now, there’s evidence of an alliance with Google to outsource AI functionality to Gemini. What does it all mean?
Apple Maps emboldened its local knowledge this week with place data for restaurants and golf courses. Specifically, it announced a collaboration with the MICHELIN Guide, The Infatuation, and Golf Digest to bring in better listings data in these categories.
Apple has announced that it’s expanding Apple Business Connect (ABC) deeper into its apps and features, including Mail, Tap to Pay, and Phone.
One particular flavor of AI stood out during Apple’s Glowtime event: visual search. Specifically, Apple’s Visual Intelligence will be a valuable part of the Apple Intelligence mix.
During Apple’s big Fall hardware event yesterday, one thing that stood out (besides the new iPhone 18 line) was its commitment to Apple Intelligence. First announced at the Spring WWDC event, Apple Intelligence will permeate Apple devices and apps, bringing more AI and automation into the mix.
Apple Intelligence will uplevel Siri, answering our question of whether Siri gets killed or gets a brain transplant. How exactly will Siri improve? We go down the list.
Starting in public beta, users can access Apple Maps for the first time via their web browser, including directions, curated city guides, and other app favorites like Look Around.
The past week in Local news was highlighted with financial services entering the retail media space, Apple and Google updating Maps to be more SMB
In E74, Localogy analyst Mike Boland welcomes SOCi Director of Market Insight Damian Rollison, a research whiz whom Mike anoints as an honorary lifetime member
In E73, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin talk about Apple’s moves to make it even easier for small businesses to control how they appear
Apple has launched a new custom actions feature feature in its Business Connect offering for local businesses. Known as Custom Action Links, they let businesses decide what types of user actions they want to drive in their Apple Maps place card.
In E66 of Localogy’s This Week in Local, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin unpack what we learned from future of work startup Read.ai’s recent
In E65 of Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin talk about extending retail media networks to small businesses. Mike
