Google Moving Closer to Submitting Maps App for iOS as Eddy Cue Works to Improve Apple's Maps

[Evoken]

Originally Posted by John.B

I didn't know the nexus 7 allowed users to change its default maps app from Google?

I haven't tried it but wether it is possible or not how is that relevant to my response to iOzzie?

[iOzzie]

Originally Posted by Evoken

In that case I would say go with the Nexus 7 as Google Maps is far better integrated with everything else in Android than the Google Maps app in iOS will be, with Apple not allowing you to choose default apps for anything and all.

Thanks, I have a galaxy nexus as my phone, really like the mini, but a 3g n7 for 100 less is tempting. Let's see how this pans out though. Tablets and mapping are very important for me when traveling, really want g maps there! Apple maps in Australia are a joke 90% of the time unfortunately.

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Originally Posted by John.B

I didn't know the nexus 7 allowed users to change its default maps app from Google?

You can choose defaults for every app on Android, but for maps why would you, Google maps and nav is brilliant.

[jctevere]

Originally Posted by Rodimus Prime

You do know your own picture proves Google does not own all the data. It is also safe to say they buy a lot mapping data from other 3rd parties to check their data against.

In my own post I said Google dropped third party mapping information in a MAJORITY of countries. My earlier post was to point out that Google does own MOST of its own data, as the person who I originally directed this response towards didn't believe Google owned any data. His reasoning behind why Google didn't offer free turn by turn to iOS users as they would have to pay heavy licensing fees to third party companies.

This is just incorrect. Google does in fact own a majority of the worlds maps. Do they own every map in every country? Of course not, but they do own the maps in the areas where iOS devices are primarily sold, leading me to believe that licensing fees are a drop in the bucket for the few countries where Google didn't own the data.

[John.B]

Originally Posted by Evoken

In that case I would say go with the Nexus 7 as Google Maps is far better integrated with everything else in Android than the Google Maps app in iOS will be, with Apple not allowing you to choose default apps for anything and all.

Originally Posted by Evoken

I haven't tried it but wether it is possible or not how is that relevant to my response to iOzzie?

Thin skin, much? Your complaint with iOS was that you can't change the default maps app. It seemed like you were saying you could change the Android maps app with the Nexus. I asking if that was really possible.

[Abazigal]

Originally Posted by Renzatic

How dare they sneak behind Apple's back and offer what people want! The cads!

They did so only after Apple forced their hand, and for obvious commercial reasons.

It's just business. No big deal.

[iOzzie]

Originally Posted by John.B

Thin skin, much? Your complaint with iOS was that you can't change the default maps app. It seemed like you were saying you could change the Android maps app with the Nexus. I asking if that was really possible.

It is, see below -

I don't have any other mapping programs installed, if I did they would also appear.

[newyorksole]

Originally Posted by AbyssImpact

Then why don't you buy an android device? Apple maps work perfectly fine.

yeah I'm gonna switch to another phone for ONE app....

if Apple Maps "works perfectly fine" then Tim Cook wouldn't have released a statement about it.

if getting rid of transit information, not showing the numbers of highway exits, showing that a shopping center is an airport and mislabeling street names is "perfectly fine" for you, then ok.

but for me it's not...

Apple Maps will get better with time (hopefully), but they need to approve Google Maps ASAP.

[MarkCollette]

If Google Maps gets into the App Store, then I can upgrade to iOS 6. In the mean while I'm sticking with iOS 5 while traveling.

Originally Posted by Shakkan

If Apple EVER rejects Google's Maps app, I swear... this is ****ing ********. Microsoft would've gotten a 500 billion anti-trust fine for that. Just like that EU 10% of all revenue fine BS because of lack of browsing choice popup on installation of Windows 7 SP1. And what about UIWebView lacking the JS Nitro engine? Isn't that killing competition? The only reason I don't use Chrome on iOS is because of that.

I wish the legal system would apply equally for everyone.

Unfortunately anti-trust laws are not about anti-competitive behaviour, but about monopolist anti-competitive behaviour. The more market share that Android takes, the less legal grounds there are for forcing Apple to be more open.

Originally Posted by The Phazer

Unless you're in central London, where I just tried this and it recommended I go to a "supermarket" (actually a corner shop) a mile away, which doesn't actually sell petrol at all.

Well there's your problem, asking to find a gas station when you want a petrol station

[John.B]

Originally Posted by iOzzie

It is, see below -

I don't have any other mapping programs installed, if I did they would also appear.

Are those other two options web browsers or map apps? Can I load an alternate Maps app on Android 4.x and set it as the default without Google having 24x7 location data?

[iOzzie]

Originally Posted by John.B

Are those other two options web browsers or map apps? Can I load an alternate Maps app on Android 4.x and set it as the default without Google having 24x7 location data?

They are both browsers, Android is asking, what would you like to open this link with by default (either once or every time)

I don't have any other mapping apps installed (don't want/need them) but it would appear if I did. If you revoked Googles location data rights and just set them to the new app, that would work. But the loss in functionality across the rest of the Google Apps suite would not be worth it IMO.

Happy to be corrected, but that is how I understand it. Choice is nice, and Android gives that too you. I can't (read: wont) see Apple allowing G Maps to replace Apple maps with full Intergration across the OS.

[Rodimus Prime]

Originally Posted by John.B

Are those other two options web browsers or map apps? Can I load an alternate Maps app on Android 4.x and set it as the default without Google having 24x7 location data?

yes you can. I have had google earth appear as one of the choices. You can even uninstall google maps.

Hell you have been able to do this stuff since 2.x and I would not be surprised if the 1.x could as well.

In android you can replace and change the default for almost everything in it. Maps can be replaced. The voice search function can be replaced.

[samcraig]

Indeed - even how you share can be replaced with a different sharing app.

Not necc the OP - but there are so many people who criticize Android and how bad it is otherwise and don't know a thing about it. Quite sad. And ignorant. I don't enter into a discussion about a movie I haven't seen and start comparing it to another I have. Don't do it with a book. Or any other tech. I'm happy to talk about my experience and/or ask questions to others. But I'd never make claims or accusations for products I'm not familiar with.

Originally Posted by Rodimus Prime

yes you can. I have had google earth appear as one of the choices. You can even uninstall google maps.

Hell you have been able to do this stuff since 2.x and I would not be surprised if the 1.x could as well.

In android you can replace and change the default for almost everything in it. Maps can be replaced. The voice search function can be replaced.

[John.B]

Originally Posted by iOzzie

They are both browsers, Android is asking, what would you like to open this link with by default (either once or every time)

I don't have any other mapping apps installed (don't want/need them) but it would appear if I did. If you revoked Googles location data rights and just set them to the new app, that would work. But the loss in functionality across the rest of the Google Apps suite would not be worth it IMO.

Happy to be corrected, but that is how I understand it. Choice is nice, and Android gives that too you. I can't (read: wont) see Apple allowing G Maps to replace Apple maps with full Intergration across the OS.

Originally Posted by Rodimus Prime

yes you can. I have had google earth appear as one of the choices. You can even uninstall google maps.

Hell you have been able to do this stuff since 2.x and I would not be surprised if the 1.x could as well.

In android you can replace and change the default for almost everything in it. Maps can be replaced. The voice search function can be replaced.

Thanks for the info, guys!

I have to upgrade a 2.x Android phone for work (which doesn't appear to be able to change the Maps, not that I've found anyway) and it would be nice to be able replace the Maps app with something else.

[Oletros]

Originally Posted by John.B

Thanks for the info, guys!

I have to upgrade a 2.x Android phone for work (which doesn't appear to be able to change the Maps, not that I've found anyway) and it would be nice to be able replace the Maps app with something else.

Settings - Applications - Maps - Restore default settings button

[mdelvecchio]

Originally Posted by The Phazer

"It just works" is a stupid thing to say when it doesn't work. At all.

but it does work, completely fine for me in my city.

saying it doesnt work at all is a stupid thing to say when clearly it does work at all.

[tbrinkma]

Originally Posted by dv8r

Same study based made by a "user" that failed to realize what API he was using and thus got wrong results?

Citation? I showed you my references. If you're going to make claims, show me yours.

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Originally Posted by macsmurf

The problem was, as I recall, that he used a function in the API that didn't actually corresponded with what you would get if you searched on Google or directly in the iOS 5 application. If you try some of his searches on Google Maps via a browser you will find that they actually come back with the correct result (at least the ones I've tried).

If that's the case it's not something I heard about. Do you have a link?

[The Phazer]

Originally Posted by mdelvecchio

but it does work, completely fine for me in my city.

saying it doesnt work at all is a stupid thing to say when clearly it does work at all.

"I've invented a new form of deodorant can. Sure, it's got a few issues - 50% of the time it's used it kills the person holding it. But I've just used it, and I'm still alive, so what's the problem!"

[jimsowden]

Originally Posted by BvizioN

No silly billy, he edited his.

My mistake, apologies.

[BvizioN]

Originally Posted by jimsowden

My mistake, apologies.

No worries.

[jrodsep]

Would love to see an official Google Maps app on the App Store. But I would prefer for them to update the YouTube app first.

[dv8r]

Originally Posted by tbrinkma

Citation? I showed you my references. If you're going to make claims, show me yours.

Sorry for the speed of this - that will teach me not to bookmark some of the more interesting ones...

It was a question - but never mind, I believe this is what's being debated in these posts:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2844
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2847
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2848

Including referenced post at stackoverflow:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1...sly-inaccurate

[AidenShaw]

Originally Posted by dv8r

Sorry for the speed of this - that will teach me not to bookmark some of the more interesting ones...

It was a question - but never mind, I believe this is what's being debated in these posts:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2844
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2847
http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost...postcount=2848

Including referenced post at stackoverflow:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1...sly-inaccurate

Please add some explanation - do you really expect us to follow four naked links and try to figure out your argument for you?

[dv8r]

Originally Posted by AidenShaw

Please add some explanation - do you really expect us to follow four naked links and try to figure out your argument for you?

I think they are pretty straightforward - manually verification of the searches provided to the Google API did show more correct results.

[tbrinkma]

Originally Posted by dv8r

I think they are pretty straightforward - manually verification of the searches provided to the Google API did show more correct results.

The tests I linked to were done using the iOS 5 and iOS 6 Apple geolocation/mapping APIs. Both versions make the *same* API calls, but the iOS 5 routes those API calls through Google Maps on the back-end, while the iOS 6 version uses the new Apple back-end.

If the iOS 5 version were using the 'wrong' Google Maps API calls, then people would have been complaining about the accuracy of the *OLD* maps app.

If you can find something that addresses the results of the tests I linked to, rather than an arbitrary programming question, feel free to revisit this. Otherwise, you're drawing a direct line from point A to point B where there is no apparent connection.

[dv8r]

Originally Posted by tbrinkma

The tests I linked to were done using the iOS 5 and iOS 6 Apple geolocation/mapping APIs. Both versions make the *same* API calls, but the iOS 5 routes those API calls through Google Maps on the back-end, while the iOS 6 version uses the new Apple back-end.

If the iOS 5 version were using the 'wrong' Google Maps API calls, then people would have been complaining about the accuracy of the *OLD* maps app.

If you can find something that addresses the results of the tests I linked to, rather than an arbitrary programming question, feel free to revisit this. Otherwise, you're drawing a direct line from point A to point B where there is no apparent connection.

Marco's Excel sheet with the results is easily checked towards Google directly, and they do not give the same result (e.g. the China example in the linked posts) - they do correspond more with the results coming out of the new CLGeocoder. Therefore the question is relevant - did he do this test towards the wrong API?

Feel free to believe something else - but that doesn't make it any more true.