Apple Replacing Google Maps On iOS With Its Own Solution Later This Year

[pgiguere1]

if these mockups are a true indication then i'm not going to rush for it.

I use the satellite view and street view sevral times a week. Although pretty, these mockup pictures don't cut the mustard.

Those are not mockups but screenshots of iPhoto for iOS.

 

[Mjmar]

I will miss Google street view

 

[Freyqq]

Maybe now we'll finally have a native turn-by-turn gps in iOS

 

[jclardy]

Don't see how Apple can think to beat Google who has been doing this very well for years already

The same way they beat Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Palm OS who had been making smartphones for years already?

GMaps is great, but there is no such thing as perfect software. Everything can be improved.

 

[nuckinfutz]

What practical advantage does this switch give me, the user?

http://gigaom.com/apple/apple-purchase-of-placebase-confirmed-goodbye-google-maps/

Placebase had a pretty simple API that allowed developers to layer maps with information. What we're seeing are simply static map information but if the Geo Team at Apple have been cranking away like busy little beavers what we should see are interesting ways of presenting data to the end user.

The new mapping API should be interesting. Looking forward to next week to see what's "really" coming.

 

[AppleScruff1]

And then they'll upgrade the map service and it won't work on your year old device.

 

[a0me]

The same way they beat Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Palm OS who had been making smartphones for years already?

GMaps is great, but there is no such thing as perfect software. Everything can be improved.

Sure, but where do they get all the data for the places you've favorited / reviewed, the maps you've saved, etc. in Google Maps?
When the iPhone was released you could still use your email, your address book, calendar, etc... I don't think the transition from Google Maps can be made so easily.

 

[jacob-07]

if it aint broke dont fix it...

 

[John.B]

I'm just as happy for Google to have one less way to track me.

Sure, but where do they get all the data for the places you've favorited / reviewed, the maps you've saved, etc. in Google Maps?
When the iPhone was released you could still use your email, your address book, calendar, etc... I don't think the transition from Google Maps can be made so easily.

If that's true, it would be because Google didn't want that data to be transportable.

 

[danahn17]

Maybe it will use Siri. Tim Cook said they were giving Siri more options. Think about it:

Me: Siri, can you direct me to get to Heinz Field to see the Steelers play? And make sure it's a fast route, avoiding traffic.
Siri: I will lead you to Heinz Field. Route 28 south is backed up with an average wait time of 20 minutes. If you get off at exit 5 and follow Lowman Street, you will reach the destination 15 minutes faster.
Me: Thanks Siri!

*as we're driving along*

Me: Siri, I need a pitt stop, can you take me to a Sheetz?
Siri: Make a left to get to Sheetz
After Sheetz
Siri: To get back on your route, turn right out of Sheetz and then turn Right onto 3rd Ave.

So Siri could do turn by turn directions and do side stops and everything along the way. I hope so!

The Android version of Google Maps already lets you search locations for navigation by voice... but if Apple can pull off scenarios like you just described, that'd be a pretty substantial improvement over the Android implementation (which is still really good).

One problem though. Why would you want to go to Heinz Field to watch the Steelers? - signed Ravens fan. (I kid though )

 

[daneoni]

It take more then sitting in a lab working on it. Apple isn't going to put the real world effort into Google has.

At least wait until the product is released before slaughtering it. If being in the market for a long period was all it took to succeed then Nokia and RIM would still own the Smartphone market.

Apple isn't stupid. They already know fully well what they're competing against and how best to compete against it on their platform.

Fact is Google maps only works great on Android, the experience is nearly always subpar on EVERY other platform. And I for one I'm curious about what Apple has come up with.

 

[rnizlek]

I wonder what will happen to Google Transit directions if Apple ditches Google Maps. I can't say I am thrilled with this move if that disappears.

I agree with you 100%. This is my largest concern. Perhaps, as another poster suggested, Apple will allow transit agencies to submit GTFS files for their platform. This is what Bing does. However, the coverage of transit on Bing pales in comparison to Google Maps. Other than the largest agencies, I don't think too many will be keen on maintaing their data on multiple platforms (although everything will be using GTFS, both Bing and Google have different procedures for having agencies update their data).

For street navigation, I have a stand alone GPS app. The times that I most depend on the Maps app is navigating transit in unfamiliar cities, and Google Transit is a lifesaver for doing this.

If Apple does switch and doesn't provide the ability to access Google Maps, and if Google doesn't provide an app (or if Apple blocks it), I would seriously have to consider a switch to a different platform. That's how valuable transit routing is to me. Obviously, this is not the case for a lot of users, but I spend a lot of time traveling and use public transit anywhere I can.

I'm pretty confident at this point that we'll be able to access Google Maps one way or another. I hope I'm right.

 

[ryan2714]

unless they're including turn-by-turn navigation WHO CARES??

 

[SeattleMoose]

One By One

...the tentacles of the Google "octopus" will be severed.

 

[budselectjr]

It's called having 100 billion dollars and fanatical devotion to quality all the way down to the most commonplace initiative. Try not setting the bar so low.

The 100 billion is for when you just want to buy out another maping company and not develop anything yourself .

 

[evorc]

Turn by turn voice by our very own siri's voice? I say why not!!

 

[Westside guy]

I'm pretty confident at this point that we'll be able to access Google Maps one way or another. I hope I'm right.

You do realize they have a pretty good maps website... right?

 

[CShort]

Open Street Map

If it uses "Open Street Map" data then say goodbye to Australian users. Google on Safari will probably win out, or maps.nokia.com which actually has a lot of features including offline maps and turn by turn navigation!

 

[daviddth]

Running on its own equipment.... Like Siri who can't be accessed 50% of the time outside the USA, or when it does work it is slow or feature poor for the local area...

I don't think I'll upgrade to iOS 6 straight away when it is released

 

[aaaaaaron]

Don't see how Apple can think to beat Google who has been doing this very well for years already

I think they are going to include a Thomas Guide with every iPhone purchase.

Me: "Siri, give me directions to Rob's house"
Siri: "Please turn your Thomas Guide to page 372, Column G, Row 6..."

 

[trekkie604]

those map tiles look hideous... something from a world atlas circa 1975

 

[mdriftmeyer]

Don't see how Apple can think to beat Google who has been doing this very well for years already

I don't think you understand how much Google Maps relies on 3rd party sources and that you don't understand the amassed talent at Apple.

 

[Truffy]

That's the "old fashioned" theme for iPhoto, the real maps app won't look like that.

I hope you're right, because the only screenshots that I've seen look like a throwback to the 1920s, and that's not a good thing.

 

[Xenc]

We are probably seeing screenshots of very early builds or builds that the QA teams use to test their hardware. It's Apple, I think we can bet on the interface being well thought out and attractive.

The screenshots are from iPhoto.

 

[jacg]

I wonder if there will be creases and shadows on the maps so that people used to real maps feel at home?