Yeah, this is the end of Apple.
Once again anytime Apple makes any mistake, there are a subset of people who will make it out to be the biggest deal and a sign of the end of Apple. This has been going on nearly as long as Apple has existed.
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Apple Launches New App Store Feature Section for Alternative Maps
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Yeah, this is the end of Apple.
Once again anytime Apple makes any mistake, there are a subset of people who will make it out to be the biggest deal and a sign of the end of Apple. This has been going on nearly as long as Apple has existed.
"Apple Maps is just fine. You're just living in the wrong place" - Steve Jobs, September 2012.
That's all true. I'm kind of glad that they make loads of mistakes. They have so much momentum and are gaining a lot of dominance that I don't want them to take it easy. They need to sweat it out from time to time!
The amount of whining in the forums recently is amazing. If you don't like the new Maps app then download a different one. If you have owned Apple products before then you should know that they aren't going to budge on the issue. You will not be getting Google Maps back, no matter how much you complain. Use Maps or another application or if all else fails, switch to Android, nobody is stopping you.
User experience
To an extent, I agree that it would have been nice if they kept the original on there until the contract was up (and I'd like to think that they thought about that option when deciding the best plan of action). But, perhaps (and it seems by Tim's explanation to be the case) this was the only way to get the maps in use by the most users at once in order to improve the app via us. To have two "native" apps available decreases the chances of the vast majority of users to choose the new (obviously less polished) app. I know, even though it's nice to have turn by turn, I wouldn't choose the new app knowing it's inferior with regards to the map data available (which is the most important factor).
So, it had to have been a tough decision. Perhaps there would have been a better way to prepare us for the change with a little more transparency up front. But, I'm not getting paid to make these decisions! If they want to contact me, they could
To an extent, I agree that it would have been nice if they kept the original on there until the contract was up (and I'd like to think that they thought about that option when deciding the best plan of action). But, perhaps (and it seems by Tim's explanation to be the case) this was the only way to get the maps in use by the most users at once in order to improve the app via us. To have two "native" apps available decreases the chances of the vast majority of users to choose the new (obviously less polished) app. I know, even though it's nice to have turn by turn, I wouldn't choose the new app knowing it's inferior with regards to the map data available (which is the most important factor).
So, it had to have been a tough decision. Perhaps there would have been a better way to prepare us for the change with a little more transparency up front. But, I'm not getting paid to make these decisions! If they want to contact me, they could
"Apple Maps is just fine. You're just living in the wrong place" - Steve Jobs, September 2012.
More like
"Apple Maps is fine. We are so advanced with our mapping solution that all of these landmarks and buildings will indeed be relocated and we're ahead of the curve on that baby!"
I think the apology was really unnecessary, I've had barely a minor glitch with maps and seriously, when they first had google maps on the iphone, was it as good as this? This is apple's first release of their own map app and I think they have done well, and it will only get better from here.
Apple fixed my two nit-picks of google maps:
1) Street numbers/names are not completely unreadable when using directions (but, still room for improvement, we do need the names to show on roads that have no number).
2) I absolutely love the way it works, vector graphics works way better than bitmapped google maps, zooming in/out is 1000% percent better... Kudos to Apple
for this!
AND Apple went beyond this, turn by turn directions, the list is easy to read/use, and I can switch back to map view anytime I want, end turn by turn or resume it, landscape or portrait, ...this is the way maps always should have been.
Without going over it all, I think the map experience jumped to a new level with the new maps.
Apple fixed my two nit-picks of google maps:
1) Street numbers/names are not completely unreadable when using directions (but, still room for improvement, we do need the names to show on roads that have no number).
2) I absolutely love the way it works, vector graphics works way better than bitmapped google maps, zooming in/out is 1000% percent better... Kudos to Apple
for this!AND Apple went beyond this, turn by turn directions, the list is easy to read/use, and I can switch back to map view anytime I want, end turn by turn or resume it, landscape or portrait, ...this is the way maps always should have been.
Without going over it all, I think the map experience jumped to a new level with the new maps.
Why does Google need a map app anyway? It's not like there are ads or any way for Google to make money...the only point to have an app would be for exposure.
Now...Google obviously knew that Apple was coming out with Maps 1.0 and Google certainly knew a LOT more than you or I regarding how well Apple was going to deliver on Maps...so Google likely just let Apple fall flat on its face with releasing a garbage Map app. And I bet Google is going to wait weeks or months before it releases a Map app while the Android world enjoys a world class map tool.
As I've mentioned in the past on various Apple topics, Apple simply doesn't play well with businesses...it's My Way Or The Highway when Apple works with other businesses....that attitude sometimes, like in this case, really backfires.
Tough luck, Apple. This topic is just 1 of many complaints regarding the iPhone 5 and iOS 6.
I feel like this is a symptom of Tim not taking the reigns like Steve would have in saying...maps still sucks, launch without it. Or fire everybody responsible for letting maps get out in this state (like mobileme).
By actually pointing people to other "better" products, which I've never recalled Steve EVERY doing that (maybe "antennagate" but they didn't say go by a Galaxy or Nexus), they are ruining the perception of Apple being the preeminent brand.
it's such a shame to see the tailspin happening so fast after Steve.
By actually pointing people to other "better" products, which I've never recalled Steve EVERY doing that (maybe "antennagate" but they didn't say go by a Galaxy or Nexus), they are ruining the perception of Apple being the preeminent brand.
it's such a shame to see the tailspin happening so fast after Steve.
Nobody wants to address that though. People would rather make it look like Apple has always been perfect and now that Steve is gone, the company is doomed.
Who says he hasn't fired people or made changes? If Tim's willing to take the heat, he's definitely willing to fire a few people (or teams of people).
What so many of you seem to be ignoring is that Apple made a fundamental change in the way Maps work on the iPhone and iPad. For anyone buying their very first iPhone or iPad, they don't know what they're missing. But those of us that have REGULARLY used the Google-based Maps app for the last 5 years have every right to be upset about this change.
It's MY iPhone and MY iPad. A simple OS update should NEVER make this big of a change in the user experience with regard to something as fundamental as Maps.
I'm sticking with iOS 5 as long as I possibly can. There are thousands (millions?) others doing the exact same thing, I'm sure. Once Apple's contract with Google does expire (rumored to be sometime next year), hopefully our iOS 5 Google-based Maps app will continue to work as it does now.
In the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a Google-based Maps app to be released in the App Store. And I'll continue to hope that, someday, Apple will let ME choose which Maps app is the "default" app to get launched by inquiries through Siri, etc.
Mark
It's MY iPhone and MY iPad. A simple OS update should NEVER make this big of a change in the user experience with regard to something as fundamental as Maps.
I'm sticking with iOS 5 as long as I possibly can. There are thousands (millions?) others doing the exact same thing, I'm sure. Once Apple's contract with Google does expire (rumored to be sometime next year), hopefully our iOS 5 Google-based Maps app will continue to work as it does now.
In the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a Google-based Maps app to be released in the App Store. And I'll continue to hope that, someday, Apple will let ME choose which Maps app is the "default" app to get launched by inquiries through Siri, etc.
Mark
Absolutely. Since Tim took over, iPhone sales have plummeted to ....
Well, it is well known that Apple stock has dropped from $350/share to ...
Oh. Never mind.
I'm a fan of the Magellan app. I like having the maps on the iPhone so all you need is GPS, not a cellular signal. I also trust the company's years of data and experience. I realize the app costs money but it's not only better than Apple's Maps but also Android. Plus it now costs way less than when I bought it a few years ago. Granted, it's purely for driving and not for other map uses.
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exactly. no way aple is ever going to win regardless.
i use aple maps. do not seem to have nearly as many problems as the hordes out there.
A classic case of there not being an issue just because it doesn't affect you. Yes the app is great functionality wise but the map data is embarrassingly bad and so out of date compared Google Maps. Inside the US maybe things are fine, but in the UK whole towns are labelled incorrectly. Pubs and restaurants that closed years ago are still shown and very few new ones are there. When trying to search for railway stations in London it cant find the correct ones. People have come to rely on this as an essential to get them to meetings, addresses and this been turned unreliable overnight.
Yes all services have incorrect data, but in Apple maps the level of inaccuracies is off the chart. The issue is not overblown.
Like a scared dog with its tail between its legs asking for forgiveness.
Not needed Apple. You do 99/100 better than anyone else.
Not needed Apple. You do 99/100 better than anyone else.
the reputation is threatened? lol are you serious?
I guess you forgot about antennagate and how consumer reports said "WE DON'T RECOMMEND THIS DEVICE"
So steve made an entire MOVIE whose sole intent was to mitigate the backlash of the media, which is EXACTLY what Tim is doing now.
So please go away if you are going to shoot off the hip about things you don't know about
Yes, but there are more and more problems with Apple maps than any other.
Google probably has the best map data in the world ( Hell, they mapped a small area of the moon ). It was foolish of Apple to think they could match that in a year.
And I don't think its overblown at all, if it was so overblown, Tim Cook wouldn't be publicly apologizing.