Oh bro. You're embarrassing yourself just stop it. Apple maps was rushed and a bad release yes, but do you remember what happened to android. Its first release was crap too. Look at it now. People want it more than ios. Night and day difference. Apple maps is already much better and in the coming years, it too will have a night and day difference, how? Through these acquisitions. Apple isn't equipped to handle something like Maps. Neither was Google. Which also acquired a startup that had coded maps, same with android. These companies can't do everything by themselves. Acquisition is not criminal nor a bad thing. It's how you make products better.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Acquires Transit Service HopStop to Further Improve its Maps App
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Oh bro. You're embarrassing yourself just stop it. Apple maps was rushed and a bad release yes, but do you remember what happened to android. Its first release was crap too. Look at it now. People want it more than ios. Night and day difference. Apple maps is already much better and in the coming years, it too will have a night and day difference, how? Through these acquisitions. Apple isn't equipped to handle something like Maps. Neither was Google. Which also acquired a startup that had coded maps, same with android. These companies can't do everything by themselves. Acquisition is not criminal nor a bad thing. It's how you make products better.
The same thing could have been said about Google and Android years ago.
"Google should just let Android die since Apple makes a great phone."
Guess what ? Android is now a great OS. Let Apple put its money where it thinks best and then we will see 5 years from now.
That's great! I love HopStop. I live in New York City, and I use it all the time for the subway. I'm optimistic that when Apple buys a company like this, they will integrate it into their own products, instead of shutting it down like Google does to kill the competition.
Yeah, how dare Apple buy a mapping company for their data. What a crazy idea, huh?
I mean Google would never do that!
Apple maps is pretty good, actually - if you'd bothered to use it. And, no thanks, I'd rather not have Apple use Google's maps. I like to NOT have Google's greedy and evil hands in everything I do.
POI search on Apple Maps is awful. Just flat out unusable. For that reason, I'll be using Google Maps exclusively.
In addition, Apple's search algorithms are woefully underdeveloped.
In addition, Apple's search algorithms are woefully underdeveloped.
In my experience, most of it is because the POI database is incomplete or not up-to-date enough.
The search routed me to the wrong place once because there was a duplicated record in the database. It picked the wrong one for me. I reckon Locationary will fix those kinds of errors.
The thing is: Once Apple fix these errors, they would have the capability to share location-based data with multiple sources accurately. Because of its open and OS integrated nature, developers will be able to do more with it.
In some cases, people use apps like Yelp (and other local variants) to find places to eat anyway. Apple Map has a neutral location-based platform to share data with these apps. Google want to do everything themselves.
Glad to see this happen. HopStop is a great app. I just came back from NYC and HopStop was incredibly helpful and had all the times down pat. It's GPS had me off here and there sometimes (only by a block or so) but all the subway and bus info as well as the map routes were dead on.
The Transit App is definitely sleeker, but HopStop has a bigger scope and likely fit Apple's vision better.
e.g., HopStop supports bike route in addition to public transports. It appears to have hooks for local business integration. The backend design will likely simplify integration with Locationary and existing Map infrastructure.
Apple can fix the HopStop UI to fit the Map UI, but backend integration may be more tricky sometimes.
They have to change the HopStop UI anyway for iOS7.
I actually don't mind them investing more in Asian maps developers and platforms. Their presence in Asia is pretty weak. If they want better integration with existing Asian data and infrastructure, they may need local help there.
Either that or they find a very close and trustworthy partner, which will take a lot of time.
Last edited:
Not really happy with this acquisition - although I know a few people over there and hope they made out well.
I would rather have seen integration with hopstop vs apple buying them. I hope Apple does kill their app for either iOS, Android or website.
I would rather have seen integration with hopstop vs apple buying them. I hope Apple does kill their app for either iOS, Android or website.
It's just like the Apple v. Google maps debate it really depends where you live. The transit app in Portland was pretty up until the last two or three updates where they've made city specific improvements. Just have to wait and see how it is in your area.
Apple may need the talent there to work on assorted Map projects.
In any case, other public transit apps may have their differentiators. e.g., Some of them show the route in simplified form instead of showing the route directly on the map.
It helps people who have trouble reading maps.
Google Maps is not without its problems. Arriving at Chicago Midway last year, it Google maps put my hotel 14 miles away from where it actually was, and in a terribly unsafe neighborhood. Puzzled at the change from my recollection, I had the presence of mind to ask at the rental car place and avoided what would have been some tense moments or worse.
There have been other examples. Apple Maps, by comparison, still has a smaller database but has improved rapidly in recent months. And I like the fact that Google has that much less information about me and my movements.
Meanwhile Google Maps in a computer browser is getting worse by the moment. Check out the new version they're pushing... gone is the "search nearby" function! WTF Google.
Bottom line: Apple maps is approaching parity thanks to its improvements and also thanks to Google Maps' devolution. Licensing Google's stuff would be unwise... Apple's on the right track.
Once they roll out that Locationary user reward program, I will be filing Map improvement like there is no tomorrow !
Also yeah, I have my own issues with Google Maps. Was sent to a different auditorium in Stanford University. Had to sprint to the right one 5 minutes before the show start.
It also spoiled our party by pointing us to the wrong restaurant. We had to settle for something else. That's right before Apple Map came back.
In general, I find that the paid navigation apps are better in incorporating local data (e.g., where the traffic cameras are, and more details in their maps).
London needs Underground station / tube information. It's missing, I was really shocked when I noticed recently. Other than that works fine for driving turn by turn in London. Personally I also love the 3D overview, works for me.
Looking forward to the developments.
I think unacceptable is a pretty strong choice of words.. If it bothers you that much use Google maps or another app with integrated transit directions..
People were already accustomed to a superior product 'bro', Google Maps. If you replace it then at least give an equivalent product if not better.
Apparently Tim Cook would agree with me since he bent down on one knee to Google and encouraged users to use competing products.
Why should I use a mapping engine that misplaced the location of entire countries and oceans in the year 2012?
Except that Google was already number 1 when they did this.
Remember that time when the Google CEO apologized for his crappy product and recommended his competitor instead?
Oh wait no, that was Apple.
HopSpot was the best NYC maps app that I used, I'm glad to see Apple buying them. If they can replicate what HopSpot can do on a larger scale, Maps would be ...slightly more useful but not enough yet. Apple still need to go big.
Hopefully, enough time and data will help them here.
Hopefully, enough time and data will help them here.