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

[marty1980]

I don't like how they come up with these statistics. Apple forces people to use their apps by the restrictions that cannot be changed within iOS for consumers. It's not a fair playing ground for any Maps, Mail, Music, Camera, et cetera app because Apple's apps will be used by default. They make their inter-app communications necessary for everyone who uses their devices. Therefore, the statistic means nothing because it does not truly represent the preferences of iOS users.

General users don't want the inconvenience of switching to Google Maps (or whatever the case may be) when the OS automatically jumps to the data in an Apple app. If given a choice to use a different app during that switch-over, users may not use Apple apps as much. Maybe they will, but we won't know unless Apple changes how the OS works.

 

[baryon]

Apple Maps is nice but for important things, I will use Google Maps.

While it has probably improved in accuracy over the years, Apple Maps simply does not understand foreign addresses. Often it has absolutely no clue which part is the house number, the post code, the name of the country or the name of the street. Seriously I'll be panning around in Germany, I type in an address and it zooms into freaking Australia. For God's sake, if I'm centered in on Germany, surely it should try looking there unless I specified a different country name, no?

Also, Google Maps in the browser is awesome, while Apple Maps for OS X is just a bigger version of the iOS app. If you use Google Maps in the browser, you'll benefit from using it on iOS too, as you can access your history at least. Also being able to fine-tune the suggested routes with Google is awesome. It's being a dumbass and wants you to cross 3 bridges to get to your destination? Just drag some dots around and you get a route that makes sense. With Apple maps you get 3 options and if you don't like them, there's nothing you can do.

How come Google has no problem with the most obscure foreign street names and post codes, supports street view in almost every city, supports voice recognition in almost any language, supports transit directions in almost every city, while Apple seems to take the "If you're not in the USA then you can't use our services" approach? That goes for Siri and El Capitan's Spotlight suggestions, too.

 

[spacemnspiff]

I prefer Apple on the road, all vector data. Google Maps still has a lot of bitmaps, uses more data.
Also, when using Apple Maps for navigation, plugged in, in the car, the iPhone will still charge. Using Google maps it will slowly drain. I use Google only when I have to.

Thanks for pointing out that Google Maps still used lot of bitmaps. I agree about the battery discharge issue and heat issue when using Google Maps and Waze. Phone gets more hot when using Google Maps/Waze than when using Apple Maps.

 

[Keirasplace]

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...

Google is also the default search for IOS... Google pays a bundle for that... So, guess people use it even if it sucks... because it's the default.

I think those numbers would change if people were allowed to change the defaults apps in IOS. By default all people have to use Apple Maps instead of Google Maps. Let people have the choice of which app they prefer to use as the default and see if the numbers change. Personally I prefer Google maps on my iphone 6s plus. It would be great to have Siri use Google Maps for default navigation.

That doesn't explain why the numbers have risen A LOT since IOS 6 (when it became the default).

 

[shk718]

This probably has more to do with Apple Maps being the only navigation app permitted to display while locked than Apple Maps being more liked...

You completely missed the point of this article. It says usage has passed google maps - meaning people were using google maps before and have now switched to apple maps - meaning they're choosing to use apple maps. Has nothing to do with it being pre-instaled or available on the lock screen - it was prior to the usage increase - nothing has changed other than its quality increasing to the point that people have decided to stop using google.

 

[jamezr]

Google is also the default search for IOS... Google pays a bundle for that... So, guess people use it even if it sucks... because it's the default.


That doesn't explain why the numbers have risen A LOT since IOS 6 (when it became the default).

I think it explains it perfectly....you said it yourself. The numbers rose dramatically when it became the default navigation app.

 

[shk718]

I think it explains it perfectly....you said it yourself. The numbers rose dramatically when it became the default navigation app.

nothing has changed - apple maps has always been the "default" map app. what has changed are peoples perceptions about apple maps.

 

[Michael Goff]

I'd strongly disagree it's a blind hatred. People have used it and don't like it. It's a wholly justified hatred.



A paper map is 'good enough' for getting you from A to B.

For some, yes, for others they're just parroting.

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?

As much as somebody who likes it because it works for them is.

 

[mungo2k]

This surprises me. I don't know anyone who uses Apple maps. I have no option but to use Google Maps, for its cycle route ability. Here Maps is good in that it offers sensible offline mapping and navigation (Google's is obtuse). Ulmon CityMaps2Go has a high amount of offline information when searching for businesses. What does Apple Maps offer that would make me use it over these others?

 

[lordofthereef]

I've definitely seen more OS X users using Chrome than those using Safari. But I'm among college students, most of whom know how to download different browsers. Not that I understand why they use Chrome in OS X...

I use chrome in OS X and iOS for the main reason that tabs as well as bookmarks are cross platform this way (I also use Windows and android). I'd say most college kids use Windows, to some degree, even if they have a Mac. I know I did.

 

[Picka]

That's an awful lot of people getting frequently lost

 

[ignatius345]

I find the timing of Google's voice directions weird and off-putting.

Same. When I travel outside of NYC and use a car, I usually default to Apple Maps for driving directions. Tried Google Maps for a while on my last trip, and found the voice prompts for turns was not giving me anywhere near the heads-up that Apple Maps does. The Siri voice is also just way better (try Australian Female for fun pronunciations). And also Apple Maps' integration into iOS is of course way better.

 

[teknikal90]

I guess we disagree. You see, being able to have the functionality I need without having my data sold matters to me. But then again, I guess I do place value on myself and my privacy.

what data? the fact that you went to your buddy's house in the suburbs over the weekend?
or that you used street view so once you got there you know the house you're looking for?
I value privacy too (and myself...I value myself too funny that) but sometimes i think the concerns are way overblown.

either way there is a 'log out' button.

 

[ncc1701d]

This may be the case in North America, but for most of the rest of the planet Apple Maps is woeful in my experience. I don't understand the backlash against Google Maps here - it's been excellent for me.

 

[kch50428]

I don't understand the backlash against Google Maps here - it's been excellent for me.

Google's CEO is out today advocating creation of algorithms to censor the internet of "Hate speech"... what a guy...

 

[LovingTeddy]

Google's CEO is out today advocating creation of algorithms to censor the internet of "Hate speech"... what a guy...

I am all for sensoring hate speech. Hate speech is not acceptable in this day and age and hate speech can only bring harm. I don't care about freedom of speech, hate speech is not OK and it must be censored.

 

[venom600]

I am all for sensoring hate speech. Hate speech is not acceptable in this day and age and hate speech can only bring harm. I don't care about freedom of speech, hate speech is not OK and it must be censored.

Great. Now define it in such a way that anything you say about someone else can't be included under that umbrella. I can assure you that a certain presidential candidate would love to classify any of his critics as spouting hate speech for questioning him in any way.

 

[Vicrooloo]

I'll never use Apple Maps until they allow me to scroll around during navigation instead of limiting me from peeking left and right.

Also, I'll never use Apple Maps until they copy the double-tap and zoom function. Try it in Google Maps: double tap the screen and on the second tap hold and scroll your finger up and down to zoom in and out. Life changing shortcut there.

 

[wizard]

Not surprised one bit as Apple Mas has always done exactly what I need and frankly what most people want in a mapping app.

 

[jdawgnoonan]

The beauty of being the stock default, whether it is the best or not. I had nothing but bad experiences with Apple maps and haven't tried it for almost 6 months. The UI is great, but that isn't as important as the mapping experience. Over time it should get better though because mobile mapping apps rely in large part on crowd sourced data. The issue for Apple Maps is that Google had a 5 to 8 year head start and has a lot more users out in the wild.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Great. Now define it in such a way that anything you say about someone else can't be included under that umbrella. I can assure you that a certain presidential candidate would love to classify any of his critics as spouting hate speech for questioning him in any way.

Hate speech is about hating some group or person or nation or religion etc. Like hate toward Muslim, Black people. Like hate toward LGBT group.

I would rather like Google censor Trump's idoitc speech or Ted Cruze's comments on authsist... Like GOP's hate towards LGBT groups

 

[farewelwilliams]

I used it last week and got both high traffic density spots marked on my map, and an alert recommending I change routes while I was en-route.

last weekend, i compared Apple Maps and Waze. Waze warned me of a massive traffic for exiting a freeway to merge onto another. Apple Maps didn't. I could have been stuck for 10 minutes.

 

[tito2020]

That's a lot-o-lost people, lol don't flame me, jk

I use both i see apple is improving but google ia always one step ahead in light years,sorry apple.

 

[Michael Goff]

I am all for sensoring hate speech. Hate speech is not acceptable in this day and age and hate speech can only bring harm. I don't care about freedom of speech, hate speech is not OK and it must be censored.

Who defines what is and isn't hate speech?

 

[S3R6i0]

Why does Siri bring up search results from Boston, I live in Arizona?