Side by side comparison of Google & Apple Maps at Kings Cross, London

[b24pgg]

 

[burnside]

Thanks for the comparison. Google's map looks more informative. I like simplistic, but I think that's a bit too simple of a map on the Apple side.

 

[nfl46]

I just looked at it on my iPhone. I thought if I zoomed in one more time, it'll display more street names.

I guess thats why its Beta 1. More streets will be added about time GM is out...we hope.

 

[Parise]

Image

I notice that Google shows traffic info at that level and there's none for Apple's map app. Hmm.

 

[GoGa]

I much prefer apples version. (you can zoom in to see the street names btw.)

 

[nfl46]

I notice that Google shows traffic info at that level and there's none for Apple's map app. Hmm.

I turn on traffic for that exact location, but it didn't display. I guess its still bugs with it.

 

[Parise]

I turn on traffic for that exact location, but it didn't display. I guess its still bugs with it.

Yeah, hopefully we can chalk that up to just being in beta.

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Is it me, or is it missing a body of water between york way and caledorian(sp) st?

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Gosh, I really WANT to love Apples implementation more... but as I continue seeing more pics of it, I just don't like it.

I dunno, maybe it will turn out to be better in actual use or on the final release. But looking at that picture it's like night and day.

Google has much more detail regarding the water and greenery. The colors of the green and water and much more pleasant. The roads are much easier to see and gauge better perspective to relative size. And then of course more information.

I know Apple's implementation is a work in progress, and I will hold out final verdict till I actually play with it and see how it interacts... but right now I am a little let down. Especially now that I know navigation and flyover won't even be supported on my iPhone 4!! (doesn't bother me too much though because I'll be upgrading with the 5 )

 

[cjmillsnun]

I have to agree sadly that Apple's cartography and digitising standards are poor. I've seen examples of side roads in Hybrid mode that extend out to the centreline of the main road.

I work in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for a living and am highly critical of Google Maps, prefering OS Streetview (cartographically more elegant), but G Maps are way better than Apple's.

 

[diane143]

Did you get the beta as a developer?

 

[Mister Bumbo]

Just remember that maps is Google's playground for the last couple of years. Of course the first version of anything other "what's currently best" (and what people are used to) won't be as top notch, but give it some time.

 

[Lindenhurst]

Apples map looks terrible compared to Google, who has been at map making quite a bit longer than Apple. I'm sure Apple's maps will get better over time, but at tho time there is no comparison.

Apple map=fail

go ahead with the flames. I'm sure someone will like the Apple map better because it is from Apple. Never fails.

 

[oli356]

Apples map looks terrible compared to Google, who has been at map making quite a bit longer than Apple. I'm sure Apple's maps will get better over time, but at tho time there is no comparison.

Apple map=fail

go ahead with the flames. I'm sure someone will like the Apple map better because it is from Apple. Never fails.

But it's provided by TomTom not Apple...

 

[cRuNcHiE]

Just remember that maps is Google's playground for the last couple of years. Of course the first version of anything other "what's currently best" (and what people are used to) won't be as top notch, but give it some time.

I think that's a poor excuse to be honest. It also means Apple have had plenty of time to watch and learn and hopefully improve on any of google maps mistakes just like they did with the iPhone.

Other people were making smart phones long before Apple and they then came out of nowhere with the iPhone and shook the competition.

Apple maps looks awful end of.

 

[naltst*]

I agree that their maps look pretty ropey at the moment but hopefully that will continue to improve?...

Nice to see the curvature of the earth come into play as you zoom out though - for once maps aren't flat, more like google earth that google maps...

And I like the 3d contours even if not the buildings - again very google earthy but not very useful!

 

[mactmaster]

But it's provided by TomTom not Apple...

Tim said that Apple is doing their on cartography. They are using TomTom and many other sources for data such as roads, streets, landmarks, etc. but they are drawing their own maps. The look of the maps is completely Apple's (except in satellite view where again they are using data from various sources.)

 

[TwoBytes]

Can you post a pic zoomed in more to really compare street names?

 

[Sensamic]

Apples version looks like from the 80s.

Lets not be fanboys here people. Google Maps is better.

 

[Carlanga]

I see many things missing in apples' map example; needs some water bodies, forks in the streets and it looks like the streets are longer/shorter than their counterpart; of course both are set to different zoom levels though.

 

[naltst*]

Here's a helpful view of Bristol...

 

[pedroj451]

I think Google maps looks far superior. I use maps more on my ipad than on my iPhone 4 and I will really miss street view as a method of checking Of where I'm going.

Hopefully Google will come out with an IOS maps app. On release of ios 6.

 

[eezing]

I was skeptical at first, but it's starting to grow on me. I'm an iPhone 4 owner and I'm bummed that I lost street view functionality. Search is much better in the new maps though, ties in with yelp nicely.

 

[Clinteastman]

One thing to point out is Apples street maps are vector based with some clever street name scaling and display on zooming. Screen shots don't really do it justice. Sat imagery isn't as good though.

 

[FelixDerKater]

It's odd that portions of the waterways are simply missing from the Apple version, along with the rail lines. Hopefully, they will work this out before the final release.

For now, it looks just like a TomTom GPS map, and there's a reason I keep a Garmin in my car instead...

 

[WordMasterRice]

One thing to point out is Apples street maps are vector based with some clever street name scaling and display on zooming. Screen shots don't really do it justice. Sat imagery isn't as good though.

Google maps have been vector based for a few years now. Maybe not on iOS but that's not Googles fault.

I see many things missing in apples' map example; needs some water bodies, forks in the streets and it looks like the streets are longer/shorter than their counterpart; of course both are set to different zoom levels though.

If you take a look at the edges of the maps they are at more or less identical zoom levels.