News - Google and Apple are back on Sarawak!
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The mapping teams of both Google and Apple meet again in Asia! This time in the Malaysian part of Borneo Island. This is the first time Apple covers this island for the Look Around service. Google had previously covered Sarawak around 2010s, but this is the first time they do it with Gen 4 cameras.
Google Street View
Google's Southeast Asia offices have been expanding their existing coverage in most regions, this time Google Malaysia has sent Gen 4 camera-equipped cars to Sarawak on the island of Borneo. The last updates to the State Imagery were in 2019, in which the Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Sarikei area was covered with Gen 3 cameras. (Source: Geo Coverage Dates § Malaysia)
In late August 2024, several social media users reported a Google Street View vehicle driving through the centre of Kapit located on the banks of the Rajang River in central Sarawak State. (Source: Peter Saw via FB) This town had not been covered by Google but due to the efforts of the local government it is now accessible by road connecting it to the town of Song.
At the end of October 2024, users on Tiktok spotted a vehicle driving through the center of Sibu city, specifically along Jalan Teng Chin Hua. (Source: @mehomesibu via TikTok) In addition, the local news outlet Bintulu Info published a photo of Google Maps mapping vehicles in Bintulu, specifically on Jalan Sultan Iskandar near SK One Garden City. (Source: Bintulu Info via FB)
Apple Look Around
Over the course of this year, Apple Look Around has been expanding around Southeast Asia with special vehicles in Thailand and Vietnam in addition to Malaysia, although for the time being the American company had mainly focused on the peninsular part of the country, as of mid-2024, Apple has sent vehicles to the island of Borneo, this being the first time they drive in the state of Sarawak.
By August, an Apple Look Around vehicle was spotted around the central area of Kuching, specifically around the Kuching Civic Center (Malay: Dewan Suarah Kuching) (Source: Lissa Angking via Twitter) and Sibu (Source: @mehomesibu via Tiktok). The data collection process in the city of Kuching lasted several days as we reviewed photographic evidence of Apple Look Around cars with several covered cameras crossing Jalan Song, a major avenue in the south of the city, near the Malaysia-China Friendship Park. (Source: Aiden Josiah via FB)
In October 2024, the Apple Cars were spotted in the city of Miri located in the northern part of Sarawak State. (Source: Kuda Laut via Tiktok)
Notes
- Written by Seb
- Published on November 9, 2024
- Many thanks to Salad, Vegetal and Tobetelogi for finding the spottings in this part of Malaysia
