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Apple Maps Vehicles Begin Surveying Canada

w5jck said:
WTH! I just pulled up Apple Craps (err, I mean Maps) on my MBP that is hardwired with an ethernet connection. I clicked on the Show You Current Locate button and got the following message box stating I needed to turn on WiFi. Seriously! Does Apple not know that ethernet can also give me an internet connection? Are their developers really that stupid these days? Apparently so! and yes the ethernet connection was providing 200 Mbits solid connection at the time... :confused:

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Before you get carried away calling too many developers stupid, it's how the geolocation on our various devices is designed to work. Here's an article that might help you:

https://www.lifewire.com/wifi-positioning-system-1683343

So it's not just about having an internet connection...
 
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Someone over on Reddit spotted an Apple Maps car in Toronto's west end.

https://www.reddit.com/r/toronto/comments/btlls9/apple_maps_car_spotted_in_the_wild/

w5jck said:
WTH! I just pulled up Apple Craps (err, I mean Maps) on my MBP that is hardwired with an ethernet connection. I clicked on the Show You Current Locate button and got the following message box stating I needed to turn on WiFi. Seriously! Does Apple not know that ethernet can also give me an internet connection? Are their developers really that stupid these days? Apparently so! and yes the ethernet connection was providing 200 Mbits solid connection at the time... :confused:

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As someone else said, it uses wifi to determine your location.

There's a worldwide database with wifi access points mapped to GPS coordinates. The best they'd get with your IP address is your city, and that's if you're not using a VPN.
 
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I'm thinking their trucks are more for spying than giving us street view.
Why else would it take so long?
 
TheCannonator said:
I hoping for a Satellite view for CarPlay like Google Maps and speed traps, but its becoming a great app.
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Fortunately speed traps are deemed illegal/prohibited in my state, but I agree that would be a nice addition to include, especially if someone is traveling to unfamiliar territory where they’re not familiarized with speed limit changes, etc.
 
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Textime said:
Apple Maps is a mess in Germany. Lots of restaurants or institutions are not included. Have to switch so often to Google Maps.
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Textime said:
The difference between Google Maps and Apple Maps in most of the areas in Germany.
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This is likely due to German privacy restrictions. Also, since Google Maps information can be updated quickly online and just the fact that Google Maps has been around longer. It is the main reason why StreetView in Google Maps is so limited in Germany. Here is a photo showing StreetView compared to the rest of Europe: http://i.imgur.com/hPO4iXU.jpg This also filters down to other companies as well...and since Apple is using vehicles to gather information in the way StreetView was it makes sense that it is either 1) limited or 2) non-existent.
 
the last time i used apple map i almost end up crashing going from jersey turnpike to nyc. the User interface is terrible and does not show clear indication when faced with highways with multi lane exit splits
 
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w5jck said:
WTH! I just pulled up Apple Craps (err, I mean Maps) on my MBP that is hardwired with an ethernet connection. I clicked on the Show You Current Locate button and got the following message box stating I needed to turn on WiFi. Seriously! Does Apple not know that ethernet can also give me an internet connection? Are their developers really that stupid these days? Apparently so! and yes the ethernet connection was providing 200 Mbits solid connection at the time... :confused:

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It gets your current location with wifi triangulation, that's why you need wifi. Your laptop doesn't have GPS built in. Try with Google Maps, I don't think it'll work either.
 
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ilikewhey said:
the last time i used apple map i almost end up crashing going from jersey turnpike to nyc. the User interface is terrible and does not show clear indication when faced with highways with multi lane exit splits
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That's why it's a good idea to study your route and stay aware of road signs, instead of robotically following your GPS's directions. I prefer not to use it if I don't need to, even on long trips.

Edit: Although, American highway signs are terrible at indicating which lane exits where.
 
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I’m waiting on Apple to turn the switch on with the new detailed maps like they have in California then I’m saying goodbye to Google Maps. I don’t think I’ll ever get rid of Waze, though. For those that live in a major city, Waze travel alerts are amazing!
 
They need to concurrently map more locations. Without completing the base frame, no business will update Apple Maps as often as they do with Google Maps
 
To be fair, Google Maps had a huge head start. I also think it was one of their major initiatives whereas Maps seems more of a side project for Apple. I don't imagine Apple to ever catch up in terms of scope and scale.

However, in recent years, I've found both to be relatively equal in terms of reliability. Yes, Street View is a huge advantage but maybe Apple's version will focus on quality and usability. Regardless, having both push each other is a win for consumers.
 
JimmyBanks6 said:
I mean as a result, or a DuckDuckGo query, or just going to their site.

They would acquire significantly more data being avaiable on a broweser
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Oh you mean feedback-data. Yes, for PC Users that would be useful since the desktop Maps app is Mac only.
 
Apple Maps MTLS vehicles are “mapping” Canada, not “surveying.” There is a difference. Usually in the range from 1 meter to 1 centimeter or even millimeters.
 
lunarworks said:
That's why it's a good idea to study your route and stay aware of road signs, instead of robotically following your GPS's directions. I prefer not to use it if I don't need to, even on long trips.

Edit: Although, American highway signs are terrible at indicating which lane exits where.
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i have traveled on that particular route many times now and despite the experience me and my gf still find it hard to navigate that particular section of jersey turnpike. its just one of these highway section where you would want to avoid if you can.
 
Relentless Power said:
Why is it ‘better’? I used to think this too....like three-ish years ago. Apple Maps has matured nicely over the years more hot to date roadways/Closures/Siri is more pronounced, actually to the point, where I deleted Google Maps, And Apple Maps is the only source I need.
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It has gotten better in the US. Apple Maps is now my default map application but it has only become that over the course of the last several years. I still keep Google Maps installed for when I hit traffic and want a second opinion about faster alternative routes. Overall Google Maps still has the edge but I don’t trust Google with my private data so it’s Apple Maps for me inside the US. Outside of the US I’m using Google Maps. I’ve heard too many bad things.
 
w5jck said:
WTH! I just pulled up Apple Craps (err, I mean Maps) on my MBP that is hardwired with an ethernet connection. I clicked on the Show You Current Locate button and got the following message box stating I needed to turn on WiFi. Seriously! Does Apple not know that ethernet can also give me an internet connection? Are their developers really that stupid these days? Apparently so! and yes the ethernet connection was providing 200 Mbits solid connection at the time... :confused:
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Maps is not looking for data. As you say, it can get that through Ethernet. It's looking to triangulate your location using the MAC address and known locations of WiFi base stations in your area. It's not going to join them, it just needs to scan the environment.
 
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