Apple Maps Vehicles to Begin Surveying Final U.S. States

[mikesilv]

That's cool, but the definition of insanity is still:

Asking Siri for directions to a business, with the street name and city name.

Then, getting a response back from Siri of a list of 6 or 7 businesses, where if you're lucky, 1 is on the street in the town you requested. But that 1 won't be the first listed, so you'll have to listen to Siri drown on about the other 6 and respond "No", first.

 

[taharvey]

Are Apple still doing Maps business? I thought they abandoned it long time ago.

Given I survey lots of rural projects, I can say Apple maps has ALWAYs been better than google maps. More detail, more accurate, more up to date satellite data.

The only thing Google maps has (and its not a small thing), is way better business search information. Apple relies on Yelp, and its not even close. That said I use Apple maps 95% of the time, only google for finding a business.

 

[jimac]

You've used Apple Maps for years and didn't know you could report issues right there in the application? Just last month I reported two problems (both times, the destination flag was off by several hundred feet). And they've actually gotten pretty good at getting back to you. In the initial Apple Maps version, you didn't really even get any feedback (never mind a thank you) when reporting an issue - now, a dialog box thanks you for submitting the issue and you get an email confirming it. And, if your complaint is valid, they usually send you an email once they've made the changes. On one of my recent submissions, there was even an email thread back and forth to identify precisely where I thought the flag should go.

Thanks for pointing out the "Report an Issue..." option in the Maps menu (in macOS) and under the Information button (i) in the iOS version of Maps. I have reported Maps and other issues and suggestions to Apple in the past, but I used the normal Apple website feedback forms at "Contact Apple" - "Product Feedback" - "iOS Apps (or macOS Apps)" - "Maps". I guess that I was always in a hurry using Maps and simply never looked for a feedback method in the app. Using "Report an Issue..." inside the Maps app should be much quicker and more efficient, as you describe it -- I'll be sure to use that in the future. Thank you again.

 

[gtg465x]

I don't have a Google account so I can't delete what they have on me, and yes, they track everyone, they know a lot more about you and me even though I don't have an account, but I try to block as much as I can with Gasmask, Little Snitch and I have an always on VPN.

Which VPN service are you using? Is it free, and have you asked yourself how it’s free? I would be a lot more worried about that than the data Google is collecting on you. That’s like crossing a road to avoid being hit by the mom pushing her stroller down the sidewalk... aka doing something potentially far more dangerous to avoid something that is annoying but not really dangerous. Google will collect information about you, sure, but they’re just using it target ads at you. If you’re using some fly by night free VPN service, there’s a real risk they could be snooping on your traffic and your identity could be stolen, bank accounts drained, etc.

 

[StevieD100]

Again, It needs to compete with GMap on an International Level. I hope we could see some of the improvement soon. May be it really is better as a few comment suggested in US, but everywhere else it pretty much sucks.

Google Maps is stuck in the past. I drove down a road here in the UK a few weeks ago that was completed in 2013. not on Google maps but Apple and Here and OpenStreet Map all had it. So did my Tomtom SatNav.

Anything but Google Maps for me.

 

[cdsmith96]

A car was mapping South Walton in the panhandle of Florida this past weekend....

As part of its efforts to rebuild Apple Maps, Apple has been collecting street-level data with LiDAR-equipped vehicles for over three years, with at least 45 states across the U.S. partially surveyed to date.

That total is set to rise in the coming months, as Apple has confirmed it will begin surveying Alaska, South Carolina, and Tennessee between March and July, according to an update to its recently revamped Apple Maps image collection website. Data collection is also set to continue in seven other states over that time.To our best knowledge, the only states that Apple has yet to confirm surveying are Arkansas and Oklahoma, although Twitter users have spotted the vehicles in both states since last year and perhaps earlier. It's possible the vehicles were only passing through those states without collecting mapping data.

​

Whether the total is 48 or 50 states, Apple's surveying efforts have reached nearly every corner of the United States. Apple plans to roll out its improved Maps app across the country section by section over the next year.

The improvements first rolled out in Northern California in iOS 12 and have extended to Hawaii and Southern California over the past few months. The overall look and feel of Apple Maps is mostly the same, but zooming and panning reveals more details like grass, trees, sports fields, and parking lots.

Apple Maps vehicles have also surveyed parts of Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and they are headed to Andorra in April, according to Apple's website. It's unclear when the Apple Maps improvements will be available internationally.

Article Link: Apple Maps Vehicles to Begin Surveying Final U.S. States

 

[BuffaloTF]

So people getting lost due to maps is a joke now? That’s pretty sad because when I trust a company to get me to my location and they don’t, it hurts the brand and trust with the customers. I can’t trust Apple after the hot mess Maps roll out was because it was clear Apple was way over their heads thinking they could tackle the task.

Yeah... I don't know what backwoods, Deliverance roads you drive on... but in the populated US and even into Canada, you get better directions from Apple, especially in navigating city street grids where there's 1-way streets involved.

Google Maps is excellent at navigating subway lines tho, I'll give them that.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Hey, I'm not that bad at Photoshopping…

Just to make it super clear, was referring to my own efforts.

 

[justperry]

Which VPN service are you using? Is it free, and have you asked yourself how it’s free? I would be a lot more worried about that than the data Google is collecting on you. That’s like crossing a road to avoid being hit by the mom pushing her stroller down the sidewalk... aka doing something potentially far more dangerous to avoid something that is annoying but not really dangerous. Google will collect information about you, sure, but they’re just using it target ads at you. If you’re using some fly by night free VPN service, there’s a real risk they could be snooping on your traffic and your identity could be stolen, bank accounts drained, etc.

NordVPN, one of the better ones, if not the best.

 

[thecatman001]

As part of its efforts to rebuild Apple Maps, Apple has been collecting street-level data with LiDAR-equipped vehicles for over three years, with at least 45 states across the U.S. partially surveyed to date.

That total is set to rise in the coming months, as Apple has confirmed it will begin surveying Alaska, South Carolina, and Tennessee between March and July, according to an update to its recently revamped Apple Maps image collection website. Data collection is also set to continue in seven other states over that time.To our best knowledge, the only states that Apple has yet to confirm surveying are Arkansas and Oklahoma, although Twitter users have spotted the vehicles in both states since last year and perhaps earlier. It's possible the vehicles were only passing through those states without collecting mapping data.

​

Whether the total is 48 or 50 states, Apple's surveying efforts have reached nearly every corner of the United States. Apple plans to roll out its improved Maps app across the country section by section over the next year.

The improvements first rolled out in Northern California in iOS 12 and have extended to Hawaii and Southern California over the past few months. The overall look and feel of Apple Maps is mostly the same, but zooming and panning reveals more details like grass, trees, sports fields, and parking lots.

Apple Maps vehicles have also surveyed parts of Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, and they are headed to Andorra in April, according to Apple's website. It's unclear when the Apple Maps improvements will be available internationally.

Article Link: Apple Maps Vehicles to Begin Surveying Final U.S. States

 

[thecatman001]

Perhaps Apple Maps works very well in the larger cities where they concentrate their efforts but I constantly have problems in Richmond Virginia area.

Another problem i just found is that when I’m looking up directions on a map on my iPad, half the screen is covered by different places I can stop along the way illiminating half of the map screen from my view.

Too often they send me to the wrong place if I’m out in the country.

I think Apple still has a lot to learn from Google maps and I’m sorry to say this I am a true Apple fan.

 

[Matz]

Apple Maps has been my preferred choice since shortly after its inception. I thought it was a pretty decent v1.0 app when it came out, overhyped though it was, and am pleased with the improvements since. Its integration with the Apple Watch is what seals the deal, for me. An awesome feature, IMHO.
I occasionally use my car’s built in nav system, and I occasionally use Google Maps, just for comparison’s sake.
Each has its advantages. None is perfect. So I go with Apple Maps, because it works well (in my experience) and has the added bonus of working with the AW.

 

[vikingjunior]

I love Apple but I’m sorry as someone who drove for a living to different addresses everyday Apple Maps still needs work.

 

[elviswjr]

I can confirm Apple is surveying southern Georgia because I saw a car driving around our neighborhood streets. Unfortunately I don't have a photo but it was a white car with a lidar, 360 camera, or some type of imaging unit on top. In fact, before it got close enough I thought it was a Google Street View car but it said Apple Maps on the side. It also had a California license plate. It was cool to see. I was on a bicycle and met up with it a couple of intersections so I may be in some of the photos.

 

[Dunk the Lunk]

Is is it just me or has the new in-house Apple Map been extended to Arizona and New Mexico? Not seen this reported anywhere else?

 

[coolsean20]

Is is it just me or has the new in-house Apple Map been extended to Arizona and New Mexico? Not seen this reported anywhere else?

Yeah it’s been in Arizona and New Mexico for a bit now. I’m sitting here wondering when it will come to Oregon!

 

[lindros2]

did anyone else notice these (new maps) were fully rolled out, then PULLED BACK in the past two weeks?