Apple Maps Now Used Three Times More Than Google Maps on iPhone

[Alphazoid]

I'm one of this who stopped using Google Maps. Apple Maps works for my needs.

 

[venom600]

Considering there seems to be a blind hatred for Apple Maps, I'd say throwing the word "sheep" around doesn't mean as much.

In the last three weeks it's told me to drive through a wall on a freeway onramp to get to my doctors office (which is right next to the freeway), told me a movie theater was in the middle of an apartment complex a mile from where the actual theater is, and been unable to locate a Starbucks that has been in the same place for 15 years. Google Maps found all three instances without issue.

Let me qualify that; I live in the suburbs of LA, not some far flung newly mapped city in the wilds of North Dakota's oil fields. Apple Maps is unreliable to the point of being dangerous the vast majority of the time in the second largest city in the US in places where even Mapquest and Bing Maps works. It's completely useless for me. Am I a sheep?

 

[Mr Fusion]

Apple can chock up my "map-related requests" to third-party apps that are forced to link to Apple Maps for map functions, (which I realize immediately, groan, then head to Google Maps on my own.)

Why aren't we allowed to choose system defaults yet? When I say "iOS is crippled" this is one of things I'm referring to.

 

[Michael Scrip]

My biggest issue with Apple maps is the lack of POI's. When I'm searching a restaurant or cafe, gmaps always has it on database, and Apple Maps almost never does. So if I'm looking for a POI, I use google maps. If I'm looking for just an address, I use Apple maps.

It shouldn't be a surprise that Google Maps excels at searching. Google is, after all, pretty good at search

I think one of the reasons Google Maps is so good at finding POIs is because you don't have to be exact when you type something in.

It's looks like Google is leveraging their "did you mean?" technology to figure out what you type. It's some fuzzy logic stuff.

Meanwhile... Apple Maps needs EXACTLY the right words or it just gives up.

I've often wondered where Apple gets their POI data. Even the antiquated phone book would have the name and address of every business in a city. But sometimes Apple Maps has no clue.

When Apple Maps first launched... it said there were two Wal-Mart in my town. But there's really only one.

I don't even know where Apple got that 2nd address. There should be no document or digital record on Earth that would have a Wal-Mart listed at that other address. So where did Apple get that data?

 

[teknikal90]

Competition is good. Google search has sucked for at least 2 years, mainly because there are no competitors. Apple maps keeps Google honest.

I use Apple maps, but goog is there just in case. I haven't had to use it in like a year, but it's around.

Plus, Google, doesn't need to know where I go. Google already knows, but there's a difference between an inference and an actual data point.

I use both. Google's is markedly superior.
Transit, new maps, integration of traffic, routing efficiency. All better on Gmaps
The only downside is on iOS, it uses more data to download the same map.

 

[iSunrise]

Apple Maps is not for me. I always compare both Google Maps and Apple Maps when I search for something, but Google is just way more accurate, more reliable, more helpful (train arrivals for instance) and just way better coverage of areas that peek some interest.

Google is still miles ahead and the difference is still quite striking to me. Apple's useless flyover feature is also something I don't really care for at all. I am not sure in what cases anyone would need that for their daily use.

 

[MH01]

Apple maps has come a long way. These days i use both apple maps and Google maps. kudos for apple for improving it.

 

[dumastudetto]

Apple Maps is simply the best for me. It just works beautifully helping to keep me on track. The way it seamlessly integrates with my devices and my life makes it a joy to use. I especially love using it on my Apple Watch.

Google Maps is popular but it's horrible to use in my experience, and nowhere near as good as people hype it.

 

[mejsric]

Why some people feel threatened?

 

[Loismustdie1]

Apple Maps has come a long way, however transit times still need some significant work. I rely on transit directions as I live in one of the most congested areas in the States. There have been times where Maps has quoted me wrong bus and Metro times. It's extremely frustrating. It's getting there but it's not there yet.

 

[littyboy]

This is a stupid article. Of course Apple Maps is used more than Google Maps, it's the default app that opens up even though no one wants it to. You also have to go out of your way to download google maps.

 

[Tech198]

what ....u can't look at the road signs while u'r driving ? we even rely on tech nowdays....

Apple maps was wrong in the past and we all went feral....

We all blame out technology for GPS when something doesn't work...

But nothing works best than our own judgement. True, we make mistakes, but so does the mapping in GPS

if anything i would argue that although its new.... our UBD paper back is actually more accurate.. since its a yearly updated, where as GPS updated can change constantly. so not even fair to even compare with.

There is always a good reason for internet access for other countries though.

 

[Abazigal]

what ....u can't look at the road signs while u'r driving ?

my phone frequently tries to re-route me when i've missed a turning, i usually ignore the re-routing since i know a faster way.... Do what most people do and make an u-turn when no traffic is coming.

You've probably saved a good 5 mins.

I don't drive, and more than once have I gotten into a taxi only for the driver to tell me that he doesn't know the route, so I rely on my phone to give me the directions, and Apple Maps has proven to be reliable enough in that aspect.

Maybe Google Maps has lots of areas it is better in, but those are features I don't really need or miss, and I quite appreciate the less cluttered interface that Apple Maps displays.

 

[jsamuels]

Here is Italy, Google Maps remains my go-to app primariy because it has transit info. AM lacks this information even in a major city like Rome.

 

[page3]

Apple Maps improvements seem to be inversely linked to Google Maps.

Google can't even get our motorways the right colour any more.

 

[kungpaaao]

You need bike maps? I use the streets to do my exploring and basically I've memorized all the bike routes in existence within 30 miles of my house. It's not that big a number.

Bikes mapping is great for walking. Like interurban trails and staying away from busy arterials. Google has the definite edge there.

I like google maps tied to my gmail and I can pull Google maps up in any browser and map and tag things like work and home and there it is on my phone. More convenient.

 

[Stampyhead]

The percentage of people who don't bother to download Google Maps, and stick to the stock apps, isn't necessarily the same as the percentage of those who have downloaded Google Maps, didn't like it, and chose to stick to Apple Maps in the end...

Yep, that's me. I very much dislike the new Google maps for iOS.

 

[JoshDoug]

A lot of people I know think Apple Maps is Google Maps...

 

[Floodzie]

Doesn't mean Apple Map is better, it's the built-in map service, if a 3rd party map want to open a map program, it's most likely Apple Maps. Sometime I open an address in apple maps through 3rd party program, copy the address and paste it on google maps...

Unfortunately, that is my experience also. At least until Apple Maps gets street view, we should be able to configure our default maps app. I have been house hunting for the last couple of years and doing what you have described has really soured my experience of Apple. Maps should not have been released until it was ready, and no street view means it's not ready, IMHO.

 

[DARKiLLUSiON]

You need bike maps? I use the streets to do my exploring and basically I've memorized all the bike routes in existence within 30 miles of my house. It's not that big a number.

sigh...I had to and to follow up on what kunpaaao said, I do not want to be on the main roads and avoid it as much as possible. Especially when the ruthless taxi drivers trying to kill you around the busy city streets by taking over the cyclist only lane. I am not taking any chances plus it feels nice when you're all alone in trails etc

 

[jm001]

For navigating around unfamiliar areas I still use my Garmin Nuvi.

 

[dilbert99]

I use Apple maps unless the road has tolls in which case I switch to google maps.

Come on Apple, let us route without tolls.

 

[t0mat0]

It's come a way, but like most of Apple (App Stores esp.) it's awful at search in comparison to google maps.
Plug a UK town in, get back lots of silly results.
Put a UK village in and see the map pull out all the way to North America then back, if you're lucky.

Another issue being the lack of updates to some dangerous issues for TBT - missing directions about junctions, mixing the main road curving vs it being a junction.

The number of businesses in search missing is shocking too - just looking for coffee, food etc locally and seeing 90% of the true shops, businesses get missed.

 

[tevion5]

Not over here baby

 

[maflynn]

I use it more, and thanks t my apple watch, getting directions has never been easier. Since I live in a major metropolitan area, Maps has always been up to date.