IOS getting 3D google maps update today

[Sir Ruben]

Sorry if already posted:

http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/26/google...tent=Google+UK

[Tom8]

I saw this too. Looking forward to having a play around with them so we can see the sort of thing Apple will be putting our later this year

[Sir Ruben]

Actually its out now, downloading on my iPhone 4S!

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Quick first impressions, a bit slower than Apple's and not sure the 3D cities look quite as realistic. Too early to really tell though.

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Here we go, direct comparison:

Apple Maps:


Google Earth:


Looks a LOT better on Apple Maps Id say.

[iPhoneApple]

Originally Posted by Sir Ruben

Actually its out now, downloading on my iPhone 4S!

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Quick first impressions, a bit slower than Apple's and not sure the 3D cities look quite as realistic. Too early to really tell though.

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Here we go, direct comparison:

Apple Maps:
Image

Google Earth:
Image

Looks a LOT better on Apple Maps Id say.

Flyover is good, but how well do they work showing trees. In some pictures, the trees look like blobs.

[Sir Ruben]

I can confirm the textures in Google earth load more slowly and are lower quality than Apple Maps. Further comparisons -

Apple Maps:


Google Earth:


Apple Maps:


Google Earth:


Also even though Apple Maps is in beta it already had more cities than the non beta Google Maps.

EDIT: Note that there is no spinning circle at the tops of these pictures, I allowed the scene to fully load in both apps before capturing the screenshot.

[Cscottrun]

Google:

[Cscottrun]

Apple:

Edit: I had too do it in 2 posts, not sure why, but it wouldn't let me upload them both at the same time. A side from the spanning of the bridge, apple seems miles ahead. Apples looks sharper and much clearer, for example compare the bottom left of both pictures.

[Sir Ruben]

Hmmmm very interesting so far. I think Sydney has some stunning 3D detail on Apple Maps but Im unable to compare them as 3D isnt there in Google Earth yet :/

[falkedup]

am i the only one who cant get the 3d to work? i have it checked off in the options
i have a 4s

[iPhoneApple]

I wonder if both companies plan to bring this to more areas and developing countries. So far they only go to big cities that most have seen.

[8a22a]

No London.

[Sir Ruben]

Originally Posted by falkedup

am i the only one who cant get the 3d to work? i have it checked off in the options
i have a 4s

You may be looking for a city Google Earth doesnt have?

[sakau2007]

- is this only available on the 4S?
- anyone got a list of cities google has so far?

[BuckeyeMac]

Apple has more detail...

But in the 1st 2 pictures Google's colors are much better than Apples.

May I ask, what's the point of 3D maps? Isn't it just a gimmick? There's no use for it, or am I missing something?

[faroZ06]

Originally Posted by Sir Ruben

Sorry if already posted:

http://9to5mac.com/2012/07/26/google...tent=Google+UK

Speaking of that, why is MacRumors not making any articles on these things? Or anything about Mountain Lion being released?

EDIT: Never mind. It appears that their RSS feed has stopped working

[Sir Ruben]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Apple has more detail...

But in the 1st 2 pictures Google's colors are much better than Apples.

May I ask, what's the point of 3D maps? Isn't it just a gimmick? There's no use for it, or am I missing something?

Are you serious? In the first 2 pictures the Google Earth one looks like a cartoon. Not to mention the poor texture detail on nearly everything compared to the Apple Maps version.

As for the point, it gives you an incredibly detailed photo realistic 3D view of a city. If you think that is pointless then that must mean that detailed satellite imagery is pointless as well

[Sh4wN]

Tried it out on my 4S and the new iPad and Apples try on 3D is a good bit better at the moment. It's faster, shows more detail and looks more natural.
But we'll see how both solutions evolve over time.

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Apple has more detail...

But in the 1st 2 pictures Google's colors are much better than Apples.

May I ask, what's the point of 3D maps? Isn't it just a gimmick? There's no use for it, or am I missing something?

I disagree, Apples 3D looks much more natural at the moment.

[BuckeyeMac]

Originally Posted by Sir Ruben

Are you serious? In the first 2 pictures the Google Earth one looks like a cartoon. Not to mention the poor texture detail on nearly everything compared to the Apple Maps version.

As for the point, it gives you an incredibly detailed photo realistic 3D view of a city. If you think that is pointless then that must mean that detailed satellite imagery is pointless as well

Yeah just to look at a city in 3D isn't gimmicky?? Come on

And no I don't think detailed satellite imagery is pointless. It's two different things.

At least detailed satellite imagery is useful for maps/directions/navigation.

Not trying to bash 3D maps, it just doesn't seem like its something that is needed when they're trying to compile their own maps at the same time. If they had maps all done then sure, no problem

[sakau2007]

Also, in that first picture comparing LA... the roads and trees look better in the Google version than the Apple version.

[8a22a]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeMac

Yeah just to look at a city in 3D isn't gimmicky?? Come on

And no I don't think detailed satellite imagery is pointless. It's two different things.

At least detailed satellite imagery is useful for maps/directions/navigation.

Not trying to bash 3D maps, it just doesn't seem like its something that is needed when they're trying to compile their own maps at the same time. If they had maps all done then sure, no problem

It's basically satellite imagery with a third dimension. We live in a 3D world after all.

[8a22a]

Apple beta version is more stable than Google's.

Apple maps will make Google Earth obsolete as well.

[ProphetX]

Maybe now the google maps fanboys will shut it..... Eh probably not.

[sakau2007]

Originally Posted by ProphetX

Maybe now the google maps fanboys will shut it..... Eh probably not.

So just so we are clear... you think that Apple maps as of July 26, 2012 is superior to Google maps as of July 26, 2012? if so,

[mbh]

Search for "hollywood sign" in Google Earth. Looks like they're missing a few data blocks.

[newagemac]

It doesn't even matter how poor Google's 3D implementation is. The fact that they said it will only be available on their Google Earth app and won't be coming to Google Maps on either iOS or Android means it will be a loser anyway. Who wants to use separate apps for that? Where's the nice integration like Apple is doing in their new Maps app?'

Now I understand why their original demos used the iPad and not Android and why they released this on iOS first. You need some serious graphics to render 3D models. Graphics on Android (especially 3D rendering) is pretty poor compared to iOS and has been for quite a while.