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Roundup of Features in Google Maps for iOS: Better Design than Android Version, iPad Version Coming
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It's also quite laggy for me on my iPhone 4. Is everyone who's showering the app with accolades not running it on an iPhone 4...?
I like the way the new Google Maps looks and works - maybe not quite as intuitive as I'd prefer, but that happens. I hadn't had any problems with Apple Maps (minus Siri not knowing what I was saying), but the first thing I asked Google Maps to do was take me home. It got me there, but it was not what you would call a direct route. Apple Maps takes me on a the fastest route there. I have a 45 minute drive home that requires getting on the highway. Apple Maps brought me to the nearest on ramp. Google takes me two on ramps south of where I am to get me on the highway.
Yes, they both got me there, but it wasn't perfect. I know Apple Maps is not perfect for a lot of people, especially outside the US, but it seems to work for me and at the end of the day, that's all I need it to do.
Yes, they both got me there, but it wasn't perfect. I know Apple Maps is not perfect for a lot of people, especially outside the US, but it seems to work for me and at the end of the day, that's all I need it to do.
Points 1 and 2 are null and void as the app uses vector.
Point 3 is just a tinfoil hat situation.
i don't understand how anyone could think google maps isn't leaps and bounds better.. it's night and day.
The satellite view of Bristol is about 5-6 years out of date. The shopping centre Cabot Circus opened in 2008 on Google maps it is just a building site, the same is true for other building projects of that time. So I am not that impressed, and very surprised how people wrote raving reviews in the App Store just after it went online (well before actually using the new App, just with prejudice).
Because it's not. Apple Maps has a better UI and the maps look better. The reason I'm using Google Maps is transit directions and street view. On everything else, I think Apple did a better job.
Maybe you should download Google Maps from reality rather than your imagination.
says who? you? google had a contract with apple, apple was paying google to use their map engine in the official Maps app. i highly doubt google could have released their own competing app while under said contract. apple wanted voice turn by turn, google wanted branding.. to blame the impass on google is idiotic, neither company was willing to compromise. apple was not willing to compromise for YOU, it's customer. you paid money to apple, you have never paid apple to google..
google doesn't -just- want to sell phones, google wants people to use the internet and use google, period. that is their main perogative, the more people use the internet, the more people use google, the more data google collects, the more ads google can sell. google releases great apps on its competitors platforms because it wants people using its services, period. just like apple created itunes for windows so that more people would use its ipods.
I actually didn't check it out for myself. I guess I was just propagating a lie I read earlier in the thread.
so it never occurred to any of you that maybe the reason google didn't release a competing app might have something to do with the contract that had Apple paying them for their map engine and data used in the official Maps app? that it likely prevented google from releasing a competing app? apple could have gotten voice turn by turn navigation, had they simply been willing to accommodate google's not unreasonable demands. its funny how you guys cross your arms at google, the company to whom you've paid zero dollars, to give you certain features.. instead of the company you've paid hundreds of dollars, who went out of their way to prevent you from getting said features.
mindless fanboyism at its best.
Hurry up and download this app b4 Apple all of a sudden removes the app and say they found something wrong with it.
Yeah, I played around with the new Google app today... I prefer the UI of the Apple Map app, but Google's isn't bad, and street view is great. I've been using Apple's map app for turn by turn directions, for a couple months on the west coast, and it's been great.
By chance, for the first time in a while, I was following some printed Google Maps directions last weekend and it had me looking for a non-existent 2nd left turn (it should have been the first left turn). I've never had similarly egregious errors with the Apple map app, but I imagine in different parts of the US and in foreign countries the experience may be different. I'll probably continue to use the Apple map app for turn by turn, but it's nice to have street view and the (apparently) more complete business search in the Google app.
I am quoting you just as an example of how this is not a black and white issue.
Apple originally made Maps with Googles data. Google and Apple wanted to add features; the price was Google access to user data. Apple unsurprisingl, did not think it was fair for its application (a default application at that) to give, or even have an option to give, information on its users away. Apple like things that use its name to be self contained and what they appear; an Apple Maps that was using google social networks and ad tracking did not fit with that so they both went their separate ways. Apple made the app they wanted; Google made the one they wanted.
This may "tarnish" Apples rep since google maps is so good, but it is nothing compared to the stink and compromise in values if they had done it the other way. Maps is not "crippled"...it just lacks data. And it will be fixed, and Apple will run it, because frankly, I am sure they want to integrate Maps into many other things as well.
Apple won by retaining their app, and lost a set of data which they now have to play catch up on. Millions to run? They make millions a day.
Google lost in that now people have to seek their GMaps, which I am sure many (but not all) will, and they lose a lot of integration on the iPhone. They won in now that it is quite public how great their maps are (again).
Frankly, this whole issue in the long run is a gray area that can be spun either way. It is not the great battle with a winner and a loser everyone likes to make it out to be. I am sure Google is quite happy they now have full access to their own map app and it will be on lots of phones gathering data. Apple can now offer their users the Maps Apple wants to offer, and can do as it pleases. Its just the way the companies work.
I used google maps for a few hours, but I got tired with the requests for log ins and no contact access. Apple Map can find what I am looking for with a more effort, but I like its integration more. I don't like using Google Apps as I disagree with their principles, so that's another bonus. I am sure Google maps will be good for a lot of people and I will recommend it without hesitation.
This whole hullabaloo about one being better is relative. For me, in SoCal, Apple maps works. I am sure in Australia and other countries Google is MUCH more complete.
But people will continue to see it the way they want to I suppose. Although I do find it disheartening (for Apple) that many of Apples apps are now in close competition, as their software used to be heads and shoulders above other offerings. Its good for me as I now have lots of good programs though.
I actually pay Apple $100s of dollars to have excellent hardware, a great OS, and an integrated, full service software suite that does not mandate 3rd party software or advertising for basic functionality.
I think its fanboyism when all people want are features and don't care what they have to give up to get them. I prefer the way Apple operates; I pay them, I am their customer, they give me a great product. If it doesn't work well, they take real steps to fix it (unlike many other companies I have bought from in the past). My money, time, data, and screen real estate goes to hardware and software developers.
Not sure how being in Houston makes any difference. But your over the top story is not what most of us iPhone users experience in the US.
And if you don't have use and iPhone then why would you care about Apple maps?
I just downloaded the Google maps and went through them a little. I don't use turn by turn or transit information, or traffic, or other stuff. I just want a map, and at first glance I will stay with the new Apple maps as I like them much better. I think the vector based maps are hugely superior and with a little time will be a huge plus for Apple. They have already made great strides and I haven't had even a glitch with them in a while.
Frankly, I think a great deal of the map issue is just they typical whining that comes out with everything Apple does.
Kinda like all the complaints that the MBA and retinabooks are not upgradable, when NO ONE upgrades laptops any way. Lots of folks complaining that they can go up to 16GB when in reality they'll never use 8.
Frankly, I think a great deal of the map issue is just they typical whining that comes out with everything Apple does.
Kinda like all the complaints that the MBA and retinabooks are not upgradable, when NO ONE upgrades laptops any way. Lots of folks complaining that they can go up to 16GB when in reality they'll never use 8.
LOL, gave the new Google Maps my home address. The result is the same as the old Google Maps. Places my home in the middle of the woods a mile south of my actual location.
On the other hand, Apple Maps was accurate the first time I tried it.
Going to stick with accuracy, and for me, that's Apple. But I'll keep Google around in case I travel to some large city and need transit directions.
On the other hand, Apple Maps was accurate the first time I tried it.
Going to stick with accuracy, and for me, that's Apple. But I'll keep Google around in case I travel to some large city and need transit directions.
Aside from the "in Beta" part, I have had this disclaimer on every single mapping program I have ever used, including in the fine print of the TOS for Apple Maps by the way.
Actually, those stories are very typical of what I have experienced in the Los Angeles/Orange County areas. But then again, TomTom (the provider of data for Apple Maps) has never been very accurate for me.
I agree somewhat, but whenever there is regime change like when Tim Cook took over, there is always going to be some changes. Especially while the old regimes plans are still being played out.
I would bet that even if the Apple Maps had all the best press in the world. These types of changes would still have been made.
no its going towards developing a garbage maps product when had apple simply compromised with google, we could have had their fantastic maps app as a native default app that worked with siri. again, fanboy logic at work.. apple is wasting resources on a maps app when it can't hope to ever create something as fast and accurate as google's, and all for what? for nothing.
what would we have had to give up to have had google maps with turn by turn navigation? that the app name be changed to "Google Maps"? that google be able to mine the data along with apple?
fanboys, will defend apple to the death.. beyond all reason and logic.