It’s interesting that people can have such wildly different experiences of using the same app.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple Maps to Be Rebuilt 'From the Ground Up' With First-Party Data Over the Next Year
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It’s interesting that people can have such wildly different experiences of using the same app.
Tell me all the good points of Apple Maps as a Sat Nav compared to the competition.
I'd much rather use something like waze or better still a purpose built 6" plus sat nav that has a decent screen size ratio and doesn't over heat, "Sorry shutting down because I am too hot" error messages.
It gets you from A to B and it has more up-to-date staelittle imagery than the competition.
They're not doing anything different than they are today regarding grabbing anonymous data to display traffic back-ups. It's just a little more "smarter" as far as trips are concerned and not distinctly tied to speed related to speed limits on a certain road.
I'm just curious how fast this will actually drive road changes....and how fast after I mark an issue, will it be analyzed as being "true" based on these patterns and actually changed.
You're not understanding. Apple Maps had a terrible start, leaving most iOS users to choose GM, etc. Over the past six years while it has steadily improved the number and percentage of people using AM has increased each year to the point that Apple Maps is by far the most preferred mapping service on iOS, and is used many BILLIONs of times a week. Apple has been building their own base map so they aren't depending on third parties like TomTom, and so they can go beyond what the rest of the mapping services provide.
Every movement you make and everything you click when you're dealing with Google is tracked. The data is used to sell ads that you see. So no, I can't buy it because I'm not an internet marketer looking to target ads. But do you truly believe that you're not being tracked? Sure, it's "anonymized" but you better believe it's a comprehensive profile, otherwise it would have less value. Google's entire business model depends on the specificity of the data they collect about individuals. Maybe you don't give a crap about this, but some people find it pretty creepy.
Apple's business model is based on selling hardware and services. As most everyone here has, I've ponied up premium prices to buy Apple hardware, and I'm paying a pretty decent price for iCloud services as well. I don't know if their privacy practices are perfect, but I sure as hell trust them more than Google.
Last edited:
Really?
They track you to improve their software and offer up location based suggestions (not paid for by third party vendors/advertisers).
I’m okay tracking “me” if it tells me better traffic info, improves routing/corrects roads, adds or corrects POI’s.
Sincerely...an “Apple plant”....
For me AM has a cleaner and more pleasing UI to look at while driving (this is subjective, of course). In my experience, it also comes up with more convenient routes compared to both Google and Waze, opting for bigger roads and less wiggling along the way. It also has a much deeper iOS integration, so will pop up with notifications even when iPhone’s screen is turned off or will slide in the upcoming manoeuvre as a banner on top of another open app, etc.
How do you ever know this for sure though??
And in my experience, my route has only ever been faster because I’m ignoring their route and taking the one that is calculated slower, but I’m simply driving faster than the speed limit on that route.
It’s never really faster IMHO because I know some secret streets with less traffic...typically...some times it just seems faster because there are less cars or traffic lights. Usually it’s because I’m driving faster than the posted speed limit.
As an example of the routing issues, I was using Apple Maps in my hometown as a test, because I know the streets and know which way is faster to get around.
There was a section of roads that were in the shape of a triangle totaling maybe 3/4 mile of distance. Instead of keeping me straight on a road that ended in a stop light, Apple maps had me make a right, hit a stop sign and then take a left on a busy road, ending up at the same stop light that I would have hit had I just stayed straight on the road initially. Apple maps basically had me travel 2 sides of a triangle, versus just traveling one side of it taking almost twice as long to get to the same intersection because of traffic.
Hopefully fixed once they are not relying on TomTom for routing.
Buried on "Page 13" of this thread, I have some positive news to relay, changes in the past 48 hours in the PNW.
I wrote this post about 20 months ago, attaching two iPhone screenshots of Apple Maps and MapQuest Maps, both of which were using TeleAtlas maps as base maps at the time. I've inserted both of those images again here:
There's more to it, but note the landmark "Pugget Island", which is incorrect but used then and "right now" (I just checked again) on TomTom's Drive Map and in their base data. I planned a trip to a project site on the Island using the macOS Maps app (High Sierra) and to a nearby township to check on a contractor's progress. And, that's when I noticed a few changes that are now showing up in both the macOS and iOS Maps apps, with approximated locations that mimic the shots from a couple of years ago, here:
I had notified both TomTom and Apple of around two dozen errors in that area, errors that did not exist in Navteq or Google Maps at the time, although I had to notified Google twice of significant errors in that area - at least Google corrected the road closures (as in the roads were obliterated and not replaced).
"Pugget Island" no longer appears in Apple Maps, while it still appears in TomTom's Drive Maps and MapQuest (I have found that Verizon utilizes TeleAtlas maps in the PNW implementation of MapQuest). Furthermore, the two roadway closures are now showing up in Apple Maps whereas 48 hours ago the roadways were still shown incorrectly as through roads, and that region shows much more detail in Apple Maps when compared to the middle of last week (I checked) - Apple Maps is showing detail now that didn't exist even a week ago in this area. And, there's one more thing, and I'm a bit jazzed about this...
Note those last two screen shots, MapQuest on the left and AM on the right. South of Cathlamet, a bridge connects that town to Puget Island; the speed limit is posted at 25MPH as its old and in need of repair. AM shows the slower speeds while MapQuest (with Traffic "on") shows the same "no slowdown" as TomTom does (you'll have to trust me on this bit). But, Google Maps shows the same traffic speeds as AM in that stretch of roadway:
Apple sent vehicles to this area in 2015, I saw them myself. I've had family in this area going back 25 years and projects going back 15+ years. I'm seeing detail that didn't exist in AM even a couple of weeks ago and traffic reporting that didn't exist in AM 48 hours ago. All this in pretty rural SWW WA State. FWIW, MQ has one bit right - if you're ever in this area, get a meal at the Berry Patch Restaurant - the Boysenberry pies in the summer are the best, I'd eat there before 99% of the overrated "restaurants" in Portland. I'm thinking I'll be using Apple Maps on my site visits this coming week... I'm encouraged by this change.
I wrote this post about 20 months ago, attaching two iPhone screenshots of Apple Maps and MapQuest Maps, both of which were using TeleAtlas maps as base maps at the time. I've inserted both of those images again here:
There's more to it, but note the landmark "Pugget Island", which is incorrect but used then and "right now" (I just checked again) on TomTom's Drive Map and in their base data. I planned a trip to a project site on the Island using the macOS Maps app (High Sierra) and to a nearby township to check on a contractor's progress. And, that's when I noticed a few changes that are now showing up in both the macOS and iOS Maps apps, with approximated locations that mimic the shots from a couple of years ago, here:
I had notified both TomTom and Apple of around two dozen errors in that area, errors that did not exist in Navteq or Google Maps at the time, although I had to notified Google twice of significant errors in that area - at least Google corrected the road closures (as in the roads were obliterated and not replaced).
"Pugget Island" no longer appears in Apple Maps, while it still appears in TomTom's Drive Maps and MapQuest (I have found that Verizon utilizes TeleAtlas maps in the PNW implementation of MapQuest). Furthermore, the two roadway closures are now showing up in Apple Maps whereas 48 hours ago the roadways were still shown incorrectly as through roads, and that region shows much more detail in Apple Maps when compared to the middle of last week (I checked) - Apple Maps is showing detail now that didn't exist even a week ago in this area. And, there's one more thing, and I'm a bit jazzed about this...
Note those last two screen shots, MapQuest on the left and AM on the right. South of Cathlamet, a bridge connects that town to Puget Island; the speed limit is posted at 25MPH as its old and in need of repair. AM shows the slower speeds while MapQuest (with Traffic "on") shows the same "no slowdown" as TomTom does (you'll have to trust me on this bit). But, Google Maps shows the same traffic speeds as AM in that stretch of roadway:
Apple sent vehicles to this area in 2015, I saw them myself. I've had family in this area going back 25 years and projects going back 15+ years. I'm seeing detail that didn't exist in AM even a couple of weeks ago and traffic reporting that didn't exist in AM 48 hours ago. All this in pretty rural SWW WA State. FWIW, MQ has one bit right - if you're ever in this area, get a meal at the Berry Patch Restaurant - the Boysenberry pies in the summer are the best, I'd eat there before 99% of the overrated "restaurants" in Portland. I'm thinking I'll be using Apple Maps on my site visits this coming week... I'm encouraged by this change.
An what about features (don't know if Apple has any of these)
Way points.
Avoidance.
Lane guidance.
Avoiding tolls. (I believe Apple Maps might have that now)
Speed display.
Cameras.
Traffic.
Can maps be used in the sun without overheating the phone.
Can it be used in landscape without banners top an bottom squeezing the visible map
I know the last time I used Apple maps it didn't have any of the above and it may have improved since then.
[doublepost=1530487040][/doublepost]
I've never used Satellite imagery in any Sat Nav.
Its how useful in getting you from A to B that matters.
I remember trying to get my wife to add a destination on Apple maps while I was driving, it did not go well.
If you can’t see the roads, then what do the updates matter? Do a simple test between Google Maps and Apple Maps. Google Maps is much quicker to read. It’s simple road contrast. That’s what matters (aside from nav), and Apple will not address this issue unless we all let it be known. It’s so obvious that none of us even realize it. Take a look.
You seem to be as smart as our president. Read and learn:
There's a hidden map in your iPhone of everywhere you've been
[doublepost=1530492332][/doublepost]
Really?
They track you to improve their software and offer up location based suggestions (not paid for by third party vendors/advertisers).
I’m okay tracking “me” if it tells me better traffic info, improves routing/corrects roads, adds or corrects POI’s.
Sincerely...an “Apple plant”....
And Google tracks your location to do what? To sell your location data? The simple truth is you can't buy this data from either company. Both companies do the same things but some people will still be arguing that it's OK if Apple does it but not Google. At least Google makes better use of this data providing better traffic info and making intelligent suggestions in your searches (taking into account your location history). Appl is trying too, they are just not good at software.
That’s pure opinion...I’ve always found Apple Maps the easiest to read amongst the four I have used.
One thing all the map apps, Google and Apple, need is data on road signs. For example a sign that reads
Currently every one of the apps will route cars through this turn as they don't know about the signs.
My idea: Allow people to take photos or video of these signs and click "send to Apple" Software will read the sign using OCR and figure out the sign's location using an image match to the background and GPS. Maybe even dash-cam videos could be used.
I would even offer implement this for them if they'd let me.
But then what would the local cop do in the morning? Right now he sits buy the sign and writes as many tickets as he can in two hours and makes a few thousand in fines because the stupid drivers follow the app's instructions to make the turn. My guess is drivers do see the sign but are afraid of getting lost or (heaven forbid) having to think so they risk getting a ticket. But the cops have it wired. They know that car after car gets routed through the no turn sign. I bet this same scenario plays out all over the world every day.
"No left turn weekdays 7:00 to 9:00 AM"
Currently every one of the apps will route cars through this turn as they don't know about the signs.
My idea: Allow people to take photos or video of these signs and click "send to Apple" Software will read the sign using OCR and figure out the sign's location using an image match to the background and GPS. Maybe even dash-cam videos could be used.
I would even offer implement this for them if they'd let me.
But then what would the local cop do in the morning? Right now he sits buy the sign and writes as many tickets as he can in two hours and makes a few thousand in fines because the stupid drivers follow the app's instructions to make the turn. My guess is drivers do see the sign but are afraid of getting lost or (heaven forbid) having to think so they risk getting a ticket. But the cops have it wired. They know that car after car gets routed through the no turn sign. I bet this same scenario plays out all over the world every day.