Apple Expands Indoor Maps Availability at Airports and Malls

[Karma*Police]

Whoa! Slow down there bud! We’re talking about one single app. You went a little overboard with all that nonsense! All I’m saying is that they are wasting there time and effort with this. How many times have you heard someone requesting Apple make a better maps app? Wouldn’t you rather have them use those resources to develop something else? Lets say, a less buggy iOS? Or a better design to charge the Apple pencil? Or a new MacPro? I know I would.
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Well then you dont know what your missing. Just try another one and see for yourself. You wont be disappointed.
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We don’t need another map app. Especially one thats still years behind the competition. Wouldn’t you rather them use that resource elsewhere like developing a less buggy iOS, features that customers actually request, or you know, a new MacPro? I know I sure would.

It may be years behind where you live but not where I am. I prefer Apple maps for it’s superior UI, Yelp integration, integration throughout iOS and Apple’s ecosystem, and the fact that it sends data to Apple anonymously.

Also, you can’t just throw more resources at a problem. You reach a point where it actually hinders progress. Apple is more than big enough to do maps well in addition to working on other projects.

If it’s a question of focus, I’d agree that’s important, but personally, I’d prefer to see Apple focus on Maps and iPad and sunset the Mac... and this is coming from someone who’s owned Macs since the IIsi, and currently own 2 of the latest Gen MBP’s... 13” and 15”.

 

[erinsarah]

Why is Apple wasting their time and money on this? Even if they caught up with Google in terms of street view and indoor maps,(long way to go) it wouldn’t benefit us users. We don’t need another maps option. Try listening to your customers and maybe give them features we actually want and care about. Thank you

Because advertising. Soon you will find yourself walking through an airport looking at an Apple Map, notice the TGIFridays down the hall on the map, and be presented with a 20% off coupon for lunch. It's not because they are copying google maps, it's because there's business to be had in this product.

It's all about the phone having situational awareness. Think of all the stuff your phone knows about you when you, say, use Maps to navigate the streets to find a restaurant. Not having that feature INDOORS is a missed opportunity by Apple to engage you for advertising.

Apple isn't just mapping airports and malls on their own. they are negotiating agreements with organizations like Simon Properties and certain airports. That's why Atlanta isn't done yet...the agreement isn't in place yet.

 

[Sefstah]

Apple Maps is much better than what you say it is, comparable to Google.
I find Apple Maps to be more accurate than Google.
I don't like google to know my whereabouts, they use that information for things I don't like, like the "For you" they just announced, for adds amongst others.

I never said anything bad about Apple maps, it’s just not as good as the competition. I live in Los Angeles, CA and use mostly google and waze. If I ever use Apple maps for the convenience of it being native, I’m always reminded to never use it again because how far behind it is. Think again if you believe Apple doesn’t data mine you as well.
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It may be years behind where you live but not where I am. I prefer Apple maps for it’s superior UI, Yelp integration, integration throughout iOS and Apple’s ecosystem, and the fact that it sends data to Apple anonymously.

Also, you can’t just throw more resources at a problem. You reach a point where it actually hinders progress. Apple is more than big enough to do maps well in addition to working on other projects.

If it’s a question of focus, I’d agree that’s important, but personally, I’d prefer to see Apple focus on Maps and iPad and sunset the Mac... and this is coming from someone who’s owned Macs since the IIsi, and currently own 2 of the latest Gen MBP’s... 13” and 15”.

I live in Los Angeles, CA. You would think Apple would be more up to date here but it’s not even close. I agree that it’s nice and convenient as a native app, but that’s only because Apple refuses to allow us to choose a default maps app. (Or any default app) But you know, that’s the Apple way. It’s funny because, I’ve never heard anyone request a “better maps” feature for the release of a new iOS version. I guess you’re that one special person!
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Because advertising. Soon you will find yourself walking through an airport looking at an Apple Map, notice the TGIFridays down the hall on the map, and be presented with a 20% off coupon for lunch. It's not because they are copying google maps, it's because there's business to be had in this product.

It's all about the phone having situational awareness. Think of all the stuff your phone knows about you when you, say, use Maps to navigate the streets to find a restaurant. Not having that feature INDOORS is a missed opportunity by Apple to engage you for advertising.

Apple isn't just mapping airports and malls on their own. they are negotiating agreements with organizations like Simon Properties and certain airports. That's why Atlanta isn't done yet...the agreement isn't in place yet.

Ok this I would agree on and would look forward to. I guess I’m just used to Apple releasing something and being the game changer, or setting the standard. It just seems they are so far behind in the maps game. But yes, eventually they will catch up and hopefully implement some major incentive that others can’t compete with.

 

[campyguy]

I would love it if SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE, there was some explanation of how to access these indoor airport maps.

The process isn't as automatic as I'd like, however, if the indoor mapping is present due to an agreement between the property owner and mapping app owner the process of getting more detailed information is a matter of zooming in enough to "activate" the feature to get to the details you're looking for. I'm not privy to Apple's MO for prioritizing what POIs show up at each zoom "level", but I'm assuming it's paid prioritization. That written:
How to use iOS Maps' indoor maps and lane guidance provides a pretty decent explanation of getting to and navigating inside an airport terminal. I watched some of last year's WWDC videos and figured it out as my GF and I travel a bit (she far more than I), I just punch buttons until I get what I want, that link is far more constructive to answering you, IMO.
[doublepost=1525888197][/doublepost]I, for one, am a bit hopeful that Apple's maps will improve soon. One of my gripes has been with Apple's contracted relationship with TomTom/Teleatlas - I finally broke down last year to hire a translator to get my mapping submissions corrected (typos, incorrect names, missing streets/features), and they understand Dutch far better than English. TomTom in late January informed owners of dozens of older models that their devices will not receive map updates and offered discounts on newer models, IMO cutting out the need to keep legacy data available. Teleatlas mapping data has so many holes in it in NA I can drive a car through many of them (pun intended). Maybe Apple will finally start putting their own information at our fingertips.

In line with an earlier comment in this thread and running 11.4B4 on an Air 2, for the first time I'm seeing the latest aerial imagery around Portland-metro and Seattle-metro areas in the 3D satellite views for the first time - I saw the latest aerials in 2D in those metro areas last year with iOS 11 but only the 2010/1-era images in 3D. Tagging every little thing to a 3D aerial image is, in my experience, tedious work at best - I hear lots of 4-letter words coming from my tech rooms when they're tagging SHAPE files that are to be XREFed into AutoCAD or MicroStation...

 

[xero9]

Why is Apple wasting their time and money on this? Even if they caught up with Google in terms of street view and indoor maps,(long way to go) it wouldn’t benefit us users. We don’t need another maps option. Try listening to your customers and maybe give them features we actually want and care about. Thank you

AFAIK the indoor mapping is actually done by a 3rd party company, MappedIn, to do the indoor maps. Sooooo, probably very little on Apple's part (maybe just approvals?).

 

[justperry]

I would love it if SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE, there was some explanation of how to access these indoor airport maps. Do I just open maps when I'm in one of these locations and my phone just knows and places me in that airport? Say I'm in Chicago's O'Hare Airport, but I want a map of the city of Chicago. How does it know what I want? I can't find anything online explaining how to access this feature. That seems like a pretty important detail. Does anyone know the answer?

1. Amsterdam airport is included which I didn't know.

2. Go to lets say schiphol airport (is amsterdam airport) and zoom in, you'll see the layout with all the levels, easy to switch from lets say departure to arrival level.


Amsterdam airport (Schiphol) seems to be more important than Singapore Airport (changi) which I think is a bit odd, Schiphol is getting bigger by the year but I think Changi should be included as well, it's a mayor (and the best) (transfer) Airport.

 

[Karma*Police]

I live in Los Angeles, CA. You would think Apple would be more up to date here but it’s not even close. I agree that it’s nice and convenient as a native app, but that’s only because Apple refuses to allow us to choose a default maps app. (Or any default app) But you know, that’s the Apple way. It’s funny because, I’ve never heard anyone request a “better maps” feature for the release of a new iOS version. I guess you’re that one special person!

I'm sorry to hear you live in LA.

Actually, EVERY iOS user was asking for better maps because Google withheld turn by turn, 3D and other features that were available on Android. It was only after Apple introduced their own maps app that Google scrambled to add those features to the iOS version. You should be happy that Apple created a native maps app for that reason alone. This is where competition really did help.

 

[justperry]

I never said anything bad about Apple maps, it’s just not as good as the competition. ........... It just seems they are so far behind in the maps game. But yes, eventually they will catch up and hopefully implement some major incentive that others can’t compete with.

Huh.... read your own post, you contradict yourself in the same post.

 

[Sefstah]

Huh.... read your own post, you contradict yourself in the same post.

Yeah, you didnt

Huh.... read your own post, you contradict yourself in the same post.

I read my post, didn’t say anything bad about the app nor did I contradict myself.
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I'm sorry to hear you live in LA.

Actually, EVERY iOS user was asking for better maps because Google withheld turn by turn, 3D and other features that were available on Android. It was only after Apple introduced their own maps app that Google scrambled to add those features to the iOS version. You should be happy that Apple created a native maps app for that reason alone. This is where competition really did help.

Haha! “EVERY” user asked for it?! I remember everyone complaining about how horrible Apple maps was when it was released. Most users couldn’t wait to download google maps as soon as it was available. Fast forward to today, its still playing catch up to what the competitors were doing years ago.

 

[danny_w]

Why does Apple even bother? Please give us the ability to select a default maps app. I am so tired of the awful Apple Maps app. Perhaps it works well in some places, but in Austin and Dallas it is almost useless and a total waste. There are so many areas where Apple insists on putting its brand but it has no clue how things actually work, and they should leave it to the experts in the field. Apple Maps is certainly one of them (along with email, cloud services, and a long list of others). Nobody can be great at everything, just do what you do best and farm out other areas. I have been with Apple since the intro of the mini but they are quickly driving me away.

 

[justperry]

Yeah, you didnt

I read my post, didn’t say anything bad about the app nor did I contradict myself.
[doublepost=1525967844][/doublepost]
Haha! “EVERY” user asked for it?! I remember everyone complaining about how horrible Apple maps was when it was released. Most users couldn’t wait to download google maps as soon as it was available. Fast forward to today, its still playing catch up to what the competitors were doing years ago.

You said

We don’t need another map app. Especially one thats still years behind the competition. Wouldn’t you rather them use that resource elsewhere like developing a less buggy iOS, features that customers actually request, or you know, a new MacPro? I know I sure would.

Now stop being silly, I pointed out in my last post:

I never said anything bad about Apple maps

and next

It just seems they are so far behind in the maps game

But hey, just ignore what you said yourself.

 

[Karma*Police]

Haha! “EVERY” user asked for it?! I remember everyone complaining about how horrible Apple maps was when it was released. Most users couldn’t wait to download google maps as soon as it was available. Fast forward to today, its still playing catch up to what the competitors were doing years ago.

Ok, every informed user asked for it... no need to be pedantic. I remember when Google maps wasn’t nearly as good as mapquest. Like I said, Apple has already caught up in many ways and surpassed it in others. Give it time.

More importantly, you missed the main point... without Apple maps, Google maps wouldn’t have been as good so competition clearly helped in this case. If Apple stops development, who’s to say Google won’t let their iOS version languish again?

 

[Jarrodbcall]

Yeah, you didnt

I read my post, didn’t say anything bad about the app nor did I contradict myself.
[doublepost=1525967844][/doublepost]
Haha! “EVERY” user asked for it?! I remember everyone complaining about how horrible Apple maps was when it was released. Most users couldn’t wait to download google maps as soon as it was available. Fast forward to today, its still playing catch up to what the competitors were doing years ago.

From what I remember, the google maps back then was not the same as what google maps is right now. It was really frustrating not having turn by turn directions, and I am glad Apple did their own mapping solution, even if it isn’t as good in some ways. Now I can choose to use a google maps that I believe is superior than if there hadn’t been that competition. I still use google maps, but I don’t know if they would have brought parity to iOS without the pressure. Apple maps has benefited me as a google maps user

 

[Sefstah]

You said



Now stop being silly, I pointed out in my last post:

I never said anything bad about Apple maps

and next

It just seems they are so far behind in the maps game

But hey, just ignore what you said yourself.

Ok that’s a true statement. I wasn’t bad mouthing. You must be easily offended!

 

[justperry]

Ok that’s a true statement. I wasn’t bad mouthing. You must be easily offended!

Not offended by any means.