What are the changes the MKMapItem this year?

This year, there have been several updates to MKMapItem in MapKit:

1. Place Descriptor: A new way to find and reference places using a place descriptor, which can be used with all MapKit APIs to show rich map data. This allows for easy integration of place cards that provide up-to-date information like operating hours and links to Apple Maps. (Go further with MapKit)

2. Address Information: MKMapItem now offers two optional properties for accessing address information:

   • MKAddress: You can instantiate your own MKAddress when creating an MKMapItem, and MapKit provides an MKAddress when returning map items from APIs like geocoding, local search, and place descriptor resolution.
   • MKAddressRepresentations: This does not have an initializer and is only available on map items returned from MapKit APIs. It provides various ways to display address information in your app. (Go further with MapKit)

3. Place ID: Introduced last year, the place ID can be used to reference places represented by map items in the MapKit framework. These identifiers are unique and remain valid over time, allowing apps to display fresh information whenever Apple updates the data for a place. (Unlock the power of places with MapKit)

These updates enhance the ability to integrate detailed place information into apps, making it easier to display and manage location data.