Apple Maps vs. Google Maps

bigjim83 · Jan 19, 2014

Has Apple maps caught up with google maps yet? What are your experiences? Searching, points of interest, route accuracy?

What I have found is that Google maps searches are better. I am able to find more locations and it gives a broader search radius. I am unsure of routing though.

richardbb85 · Jan 19, 2014

apple map was horrible in ios6, got a lil better in ios7. i will go with google map though, it just works much better

trewyn15 · Jan 19, 2014

Is this even a question? Apple Maps are the worst maps I have ever used... even to the point to where my girlfriend (the fangirl if you will) won't even take her iPhone out for directions.

Always using my SIII for directions.

dannyyankou · Jan 19, 2014

Apple maps will have potential with the m7 chip and iOS 8. For now though, Google Maps.

And the only reason I gave the edge to google is because it has transit directions.

taptic · Jan 19, 2014

I use Apple maps just fine...

thejadedmonkey · Jan 19, 2014

Last time I used Apple Maps, I turned off of a main road up a 35º hill, through a back alley, down a 35º hill, and then continued on the main road.

I don't think it's quite ready yet.

PNutts · Jan 19, 2014

I never had a problem with Apple's map in iOS 6 and stopped using Garmin's apps for routing. The map in iOS 7 seems just as good, but the routing is terrible. Even in 7.0.4 (before I went to 7.1 b1).

JayJayAbels · Jan 19, 2014

Use Apple Maps every day. Nearly flawless.

GreyOS · Jan 20, 2014

UK or at least my local area - no, Apple Maps hasn't caught up. It's based off 5+ year old data and updates to it have been very slow.

TC03 · Jan 20, 2014

For turn-by-turn navigation, Apple Maps is hands down the best product I've ever used. It's fast, clean and intuitive. Only thing I miss is map caching for offline usage.

For other tasks I prefer Google Maps. The maps are more detailed and the UI is just better overall.

bransoj · Jan 20, 2014

Used Apple maps a lot for navigation round where i am and never had a problem. Used it on Saturday night to pick up the other half in the depths of the one way system in the middle of Sheffield and it worked no problem.

LV426 · Jan 20, 2014

TC03 said:
For turn-by-turn navigation, Apple Maps is hands down the best product I've ever used. It's fast, clean and intuitive. Only thing I miss is map caching for offline usage.

Agreed. I use it in preference to my dedicated SatNav now, as the instructions are very clear.

cynics · Jan 20, 2014

For turn by turn I've had good luck with Apple maps. For POI it sucks.

The Phazer · Jan 20, 2014

bigjim83 said:
Has Apple maps caught up with google maps yet?

Not even remotely.

It's actually probably regressed a little bit further.

What are your experiences?

I could have made a better point of interest database with a dartboard.

Searching, points of interest, route accuracy?

Unmitigated disasters.

What I have found is that Google maps searches are better. I am able to find more locations and it gives a broader search radius. I am unsure of routing though.

That's because Google's data is better in every way.

jonasdamn · Jan 20, 2014

The most annoying part of Apple maps for me is searching address. For example, I live in Lithuania country, Vilnius city. When i type address "Saltoniskiu g. 19"- no results, when I type "Saltoniskiu g. 19, Vilnius"- successful... With google maps or other maps application I dont need to write in addition my city, it gives accurate results

VulchR · Jan 20, 2014

Map's POI's where I am (Scotland) are terribly inaccurate and out of date. POI corrections that I have submitted since Maps was first released have not been acted on at all. I love Apple's products in general, but Maps just plain sucks in my corner of the world, and Apple is doing precious little about it.

There is a separate thread and poll about Apple's maps that rather highlights that users' experiences of Apple's maps is mixed at best and dependent on country: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1640706/. In that poll, which has over 450 respondents at this point, more people outside the US believe Apple's maps is poor than great.

Armen · Jan 20, 2014

trewyn15 said:
Is this even a question? Apple Maps are the worst maps I have ever used... even to the point to where my girlfriend (the fangirl if you will) won't even take her iPhone out for directions.

Always using my SIII for directions.

Where do you live exactly? Apple Maps works great in Los Angeles. It's dead on accurate for routing and ETA estimates (which are off in Google maps).

buddybd · Jan 20, 2014

I'm on a Study Abroad right now, and as far as I can tell, AM works well in the US but not in London or Florence.

But yesterday AM saved our group a lot of trouble by working without a data connection whereas GM only showed the dot and not the map.

cynics · Jan 20, 2014

buddybd said:
I'm on a Study Abroad right now, and as far as I can tell, AM works well in the US but not in London or Florence.

But yesterday AM saved our group a lot of trouble by working without a data connection whereas GM only showed the dot and not the map.

Apple maps requires data just like the Google map app.

I unfortunately have a Verizon iPhone so I can't do voice and data. When I'm using Apple maps while on the phone it works unless I miss a turn then it reroutes constantly since there is no data. Very annoying.

LostSoul80 · Jan 20, 2014

Apple Maps are cool to see 3D buildings in some cities.

That's about it.

trewyn15 · Jan 20, 2014

Armen said:
Where do you live exactly? Apple Maps works great in Los Angeles. It's dead on accurate for routing and ETA estimates (which are off in Google maps).

Milwaukee WI, travel literally all over WI and IL and we always have trouble with her phone and maps lol

bkends35 · Jan 20, 2014

Apple maps work well for me, the integration with iOS is obviously much better than google maps which is why I almost always use apple maps.

Wuiffi · Jan 20, 2014

here in Austria it's a bit different. If you are in the big cities (there's probably about 5 of those) google offers the better satellite images. However if you are outside, Apple is in front by a lot. Navigating is good but not perfect on both and (where I am) Apple has more POI but most of them are not very accurate. I use Apple Maps most of the time, because Google Maps doesn't offer any improvements.

Krazy Bill · Jan 20, 2014

Who needs a map?

I am a Male. I don't need driving directions to anywhere.

deluxeshredder · Jan 20, 2014

Apple Maps have a terrible UI since iOS 7 and are useless where I live.

Google Maps have an excellent UI on all platforms and work very well where I live.

Apple Maps vs. Google Maps

Google Maps vs. Apple Maps

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