Apple Maps Gradually Winning Over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

[WarmWinterHat]

Depends on case usage, my buddy was in Tel Aviv and he said it was great for navigating around town.

Works well in Canada and Mexico, as well.

 

[achappy]

With Google Maps you can save an EXACT POINT (lat,long) as a place. I like this if there is a side of a building I prefer to drive to (access to parking, specific entrance I'm trying to get to, etc.). Apple maps will always default the pin you place to the nearest ACTUAL address which changes where its trying to direct me often.

In Google Maps I have specific doors of my local hospital saved (North entrance, West entrance), Apple Maps changes all of those to the Primary address of the hospital, resulting in me not going to exactly where I wanted to go

Google FTW

Incorrect and not even close. I use drop pins ALL the time for my sons travel tournaments in Apples Maps and it never changes. Crucial when the ball field is in the back of the school or away from the main entrance and there is another parking next to it. Driving directions will take me straight to that spot.

Now it may change the name of the location to the nearest point. However, the actual dropped pin is saved as long/lat.

 

[JamesHolden]

Waze is the best, simply because of all of the speed trap warnings, object on road, car disabled, crash reports, etc that come in from its highly user-driven data.

That stuff is super important to me.

I agree. I'm really surprised that Apple and Google Maps both haven't added crowd-sourced data. When I'm on a road trip, I always use Waze, even if I don't need navigation. If I'm in a remote area and need directions, I turn to Google because it is far more accurate than Apple in such areas (in my experience). I don't hate Apple Maps, but I really don't see what value it adds over Google and Waze.

 

[glenayre]

I've used both for several years, but I always default to Google Maps. I've tried to like Apple Maps. Yes, the UI looks pretty, more "sugary". But in terms of usefulness, it feels like driving a toy car vs driving in real life. As others have said, it takes SO long to update when driving the wrong direction. It feels like they have sacrificed speed and usefulness for the sake of appearance. I don't necessarily need my maps app to have fancy transitions and flyovers. I need it to get the job done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

With Google Maps you can save an EXACT POINT (lat,long) as a place. I like this if there is a side of a building I prefer to drive to (access to parking, specific entrance I'm trying to get to, etc.). Apple maps will always default the pin you place to the nearest ACTUAL address which changes where its trying to direct me often.

In Google Maps I have specific doors of my local hospital saved (North entrance, West entrance), Apple Maps changes all of those to the Primary address of the hospital, resulting in me not going to exactly where I wanted to go

Google FTW

I've had the exact opposite experience. A couple months ago I was delivering a desk that I sold on marketplace, and I used Google Maps initially. It was in an apartment complex and Google just dumped me at the entrance, despite having the Apartment number in the address, then I loaded Apple and it took me to the front door. I've also dropped pins (decimal lat,long) in the middle of nowhere, with Apple maps, where I go caving (super rural areas with nothing around), and it has no problem navigating me there.

I've had better luck with Apple Maps when I need to be routed through a parking lot with several entrances, too.

 

[platinumaqua]

The one real big annoyance I still have is the units used.

For almost everything I use metric units. Except road distances and driving and wind speeds. But I haven't found any way of achieving that so I live with kilometre distances and speeds.

Now, I'd be happy using km or km/h. (Though I've spent most of my driving life using miles, either is easy enough.) But too many others use miles - road signs, most forecasts. And that is why I'd like that additional option.

Try setting the temperature units to C in language settings, and then set the distance units to miles in Maps settings.

 

[danny_w]

For me, the Apple Geocoder API seems to be the major problem with Apple Maps.

If I give Apple a complete and correct street address that it gave to me, the Geocoder API can "fix" the address to a similar-but-wrong address.

This means when I say "give me directions home", the Geocoder can give me directions to a very wrong location.

If I live on Oak Street in Happyville, it might take me to Oak Avenue in Happyville. If I am near Smithtown, it might take me to Oak Street in Smithtown ... all despite my correct, unambiguous, and fully qualified home address.

Maps is great when the Geocoder does the right thing. The Apple geocoder service is the problem.

The same thing seems to be happening to me just recently too.

 

[platinumaqua]

I'm pretty much using Apple Maps for all map purposes and only use Google Maps for reviews and Street View. I also find the transit directions much better on Apple Maps. The Google Maps interface is so cluttered with ads and excessive padding.

 

[notabadname]

I prefer the interface and graphics presentation in Apple’s now. And its integration with the phone and CarPlay seals the deal for me. I also prefer Apple’s stance on privacy far more than Google’s

 

[npmacuser5]

You like that? I always keep it disabled because it makes me want to look at my watch every time I get a tap.

I do not need to look at my watch. The watch tap is just a get ready for next event. Slow down from 90 mph. 🤣The CarPlay or phone announce the actual event.

 

[rahulr]

iPhone users are increasingly finding reasons to choose Apple Maps over Google Maps, with some customers commending its clear public transport directions and visually appealing design.

That's according to anecdotal reports collected by The Wall Street Journal (paywalled). While Apple Maps comes preinstalled on all iPhones, the overwhelming majority of iPhones in the U.S. have Google Maps downloaded as an alternative, according to Canalys.

But that hasn't stopped some users becoming particularly impressed by how far Apple's transit route information has come. The app is often recommended by users for its cleaner view versus the more cluttered design of Google Maps.

For example, Jane Natoli, a Google Maps "power user" told WSJ she finds herself using Apple Maps more in her everyday life after her iPhone prompted her to use it in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The app knew she was at the airport and offered recommendations for shops and restaurants in her terminal. It had clearer information that was easier to interact with than Google Maps, said the 42-year-old.
A recent graduate from Georgia Tech shared a similar sentiment. At night while driving, she said she finds that the roads are easier to look at on Apple Maps, and there are fewer points of interest cluttering her view. "Apple's really good at making things look pretty," she told the outlet.

Apple Maps launched in 2012 and was quickly criticized for having incomplete and inaccurate mapping data, which led some iPhone users on dangerous routes. Apple CEO Tim Cook offered a rare public apology for the frustration it caused customers, and then iOS chief Scott Forstall was ousted just one month later.

Since then, Apple has made significant improvements to Apple Maps, building in new features and correcting lingering errors. Real-time traffic information and navigation options for pedestrians were added to Maps in 2013, which is also the same year Maps was extended to OS X. In 2015, Maps was updated with "Nearby," a feature that offers up local points of interest and transit directions in a handful of cities.

In early 2020, Apple completed a complete overhaul of its maps in the United States, featuring significantly greater detail including updated building massing, parks, sports field, pools, and more. A new Look Around feature in select cities is similar to Google's Street View, and the updated maps have been rolling out to more countries in the time since. In iOS 17, coming in the fall, users will be able to download maps for offline use in Apple Maps – something Google Maps users have been able to do now for quite some time.

Praise for Apple's offering isn't by any means universal. One user told WSJ she was frequently led astray by Apple Maps as she walks around Boston, while another user said his experience with Apple Maps via CarPlay had often added time on to his commute by taking him through neighborhoods with stop signs in an effort to avoid gridlock.

Apple Maps still gets a bad rap among some users, but Apple's continued efforts to improve the app appear to have helped reverse some of those opinions. "Maps has come a long way, and people have noticed," Craig Federighi, Apple's head of software, said during WWDC in June. Are you more or less likely to use Apple Maps these days? Let us know in the comments.

Article Link: Apple Maps Gradually Winning Over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

I imagine it's also because Apple Maps integration for IOS users on CarPlay is much better on most vehicles. For example in my Ford, Apple Maps shows up in the gauge cluster, whereas Google Maps does not. It's also easier to get directions with Siri and with suggestions, it's much simpler. I have rarely had any issues with Apple Maps, but the integrations is what has me choose it over and over again compared to Google Maps

 

[terrapinjess]

My own personal gripe with Apple Maps is that it basically requires Yelp to dig just bit deeper into the pictures of places. When I am searching for a restaurant and I find one, I can see tiny samples of photos which are usually pretty helpful. I hate having to download Yelp just so I can make them larger or see more photos.
I refuse to download Yelp (I try to limit what 3rd party apps I have on my iPhone.)
I think it's stupid to have Yelp installed only for those little times I want to see a photo closer to try and get a better idea of the "vibe" or atmosphere of a place.

 

[rahulr]

Why is nobody talking about Waze for navigation?

For me it’s the number one tool by a mile. Google Maps has always been terrible for driving, but excellent for walking.

Apple Maps is just unnecessary and was never developed in the interest of the consumer.

iPhones used to ship with Google as the default maps until Apple got sad that Android was invented and decided to come up with what was the worst alternative in history, which they then integrated as the default maps for things like Calendar

For me Waze was highly battery inefficient and had me driving through neighborhoods and on and off the freeway constantly during reroutes. I'm sure that's changed, but I still resort to using Apple Maps these days.

 

[sjsharksfan12]

Apple Maps has gotten substantially better over the years. I think bringing in the traffic light graphic was a huge improvement because it no longer made the counting down of yards (or meters or feet) confusing. The thing I hate about Waze is they aren't detailed enough. I really do hate the fact that I can't use carplay though. I do miss it.

 

[Milagroson]

My own personal gripe with Apple Maps is that it basically requires Yelp to dig just bit deeper into the pictures of places. When I am searching for a restaurant and I find one, I can see tiny samples of photos which are usually pretty helpful. I hate having to download Yelp just so I can make them larger or see more photos.
I refuse to download Yelp (I try to limit what 3rd party apps I have on my iPhone.)
I think it's stupid to have Yelp installed only for those little times I want to see a photo closer to try and get a better idea of the "vibe" or atmosphere of a place.

Totally agree I hate having to use another app to look at photos or read reviews. This partnership needs to end. Sorry yelp I just don't like having to use you to look at things.

 

[TomaxXamot]

I use Apple Maps 90% of the time because of it’s integration with CarPlay, but it is still pretty unreliable to me. It’ll tell me to make U turns where there are signs saying No U-Turn. It’ll also tell me to make U turns at major intersections.

It’s missing a ton of restaurants and points of interest. Yesterday I said “Hey Siri- directions to (name of) liquor store” followed by the name of the town I was in. It found driections to some place in Columbia 7000 miles away. Tried 3 more times with different wording and it couldn’t find it. I tried Google Maps and it got it on the first try. That store has been there for years and is not new.

Also I hate that it tells me how stars on Yelp each business has.

And most frustrating is that it will erase my Favourite places every week or two, even with iCloud syncing turned on.

 

[lordbubbly]

I personally have never had an issue with Apple Maps. I prefer it over Google maps. I live in a big city and it’s constantly growing (even more & faster lately). So all the new features are available in my area, the speed limit sign on Apple Maps have always been correct.

I love that my city’s international airport has a supported feature on Apple Maps where you can get detailed directions of where certain terminals are located, the layout and more.

I noticed they are constantly updated when new roads are upgraded or built. The estimated time of arrival has always been spot on for me. The accident reports, delays, traffic busyness has been spot on. Personally it’s UI is a lot less “busy / crowded” compared to google maps.

I love it’s verbiage when giving directions. It’s easier to understand and more convenient, and it simplifies it compared how google gives directions and their verbiage.

I will admit early stages of Apple Maps was not good and during that time I used google maps but Apple Maps has gotten a lot better so I have always used it.

 

[ajf.350d]

Main thing I miss (in UK) is a Street View equivalent. That’s my go to when visiting somewhere to get an idea of where I need to go And approaching junctions.
On the other hand I do find roads clearer on Apple Maps. For some reason Google feel they need to overlay all roads with those coloured lines.

 

[ddsforlife]

Apple Maps 100%. I live and work and play in SoCal and for the last 5 yrs have used it pretty much exclusively.

I still have Google Maps and Waze on the ready, but don’t use them like I did 6+ years ago.

Apple Maps was the only map that could get to my house and I live in a pretty established area. Neighborhood is over 40 yrs old and is in town and with Google Maps one completely has no way of getting to my house. Apple Maps directions is perfect with getting to my house. 🤷🏼‍♂️ I know there are areas of the country and different cities that are the opposite.

Do what works for you and your area. That’s part of the positives for having competition and options!

 

[aforty]

I always try to use Apple Maps whenever I can, however, I’m still not in love with the search results, listings of local businesses is always severely lacking compared to google maps.

I’m currently traveling through Europe and for search results I keep using google maps but whenever I need to get directions anywhere I so prefer apple maps because it’s simpler at glance and has a way less cluttered UI.

 

[System603]

Glad to hear Maps are really getting better ❤️ One can hope that soon, one day at least some of the improvements will start to slowly appear in Europe as well. I'll gladly enjoy Apple Maps' privacy once they support things like street names and house numbers in rural areas and all the shops, restaurants, cycling navigation and all the other basics present in Google Maps, Waze and local map service provider's app. Competition is a good thing.

 

[Bampf]

> Apple Maps is just unnecessary and was never developed in the interest of the consumer.

Sure, let's talk about the interest of the consumer.

Google pays for all their "free" services through data collection and ads. These are not in the interest of the consumer. Ads clutter the screen and distract. And just like Google pollutes its search results with paid links (NOT what the consumer searched for, and can even be scams or misinformation) I consider it likely that Google will start to route people differently depending on who is paying their bills.

Someone mentioned Waze. Also owned by Google of course. It was invaluable for many years, but it suffers from the same degradation we see in Google Maps. The prompts to report traffic hazards are themselves a hazard - I became a less distracted driver when I stopped using it.

Apple is guilty of data collection as well, but they make their money through selling hardware, software, and services. So there isn't yet much economic incentive to (for example) tweak driving routes, or to collect information that is not tied to one of the things they sell.

I expect Apple Map to continue to improve, and Google's will continue to get worse as they try to figure out ways to make more money from it.

If Apple goes all-in on selling paid advertisements that trend will reverse of course.

 

[Sevendaymelee]

I've been using Apple Maps since it launched on the 4s, and I've never looked back. For all of the negativity I've heard, and all of the doomsday naysayers, I've never had a problem with it. As far as I'm concerned, Apple knocked it out of the park on this one.

 

[topdrawer]

i usually know where i'm going. only use maps to find store hours.

 

[kevinws]

I use Apple Maps for around town.

Anything long distance I download Waze, sign in after the trip I sign out and delete Waze.