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

I hope Apple realizes that the current version of Google Maps is very powerful and that you need to come with something really good in order to match that quality. For example, when I'm in Amsterdam I can use Google Maps to calculate a route using public transport. It gets me walking directions and departure times instantly and it works brilliantly. I'm really worried that features like that will be ommitted, at least in the beginning...

I just hope that Google Maps will be available as an app within the AppStore, because I use it a lot and I don't want to use an inferior alternative.
 
TC03 said:
I hope Apple realizes that the current version of Google Maps is very powerful and that you need to come with something really good in order to match that quality. For example, when I'm in Amsterdam I can use Google Maps to calculate a route using public transport. It gets me walking directions and departure times instantly and it works brilliantly. I'm really worried that features like that will be ommitted, at least in the beginning...

I just hope that Google Maps will be available as an app within the AppStore, because I use it a lot and I don't want to use an inferior alternative.
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Not to mention in Google Maps I can lookup a tiny random town like Gisenyi, Rwanda and actually see streets and place names. I fear Apple's maps will be more like Bing-- which still doesn't even cover Shanghai.
 
ellaimac said:
Apple should keep in mind that the whole world is not USA.
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I agree 100%. It's not acceptable if some of its biggest features are only available in the USA.

A big advantage of Google Maps is the searching, I can find even the most unknown little shops, restaurants or companies in the most unknown places. Any alternative less powerful than that will be a huge disappointment.
 
tremlock said:
Exactly.

And what about support for older devices that won't run ios6?
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That's an interesting question actually, what about the old devices? Will they still use Google Maps?

Roessnakhan said:
I hope Apple drops Google Maps so that hopefully Google will release their own iOS app with all the bells and whistles that their Android one has.
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That would be really great, but Apple might not let them do it.
 
blinkin182 said:
I also hope that Apple considers the rest of the world. Siri's limitations to finding places in the US only has many Europeans (and the rest of the world) frustrated.
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Very true. iMaps (as it'll probably be called in a continuation of Apple's highly imaginative naming structure) will probably heavily support the US and have a greatly cut-down version for the rest of the world.

As for Google offering a Maps app - how much will that be? I wonder if they'll 'punish' iPhone users and price it at $30+?
 
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Waiting for iOS 6 and iMaps

It should be obvious that they will be naming the app as "iMap" going by Apple's terminology. Also I hope they don't make this app as "Paid".:p

Haaa..:D

I am excited to find out what comes out from WWDC......
 
I understand Apples desire to break free from Google (expect iSearch in iOS 7!) but without the level of detail that Google offers through street view and satellite view, I can imagine an iMaps app will be a little lacklustre.

And, if it's another Siri where outside the USA its pretty much featureless, iMaps would be a downgrade for most iOS users!

I suspect however, that Google Maps will become a very popular app in the App Store shortly after... unless Google use that advantage to push Android.
 
mdriftmeyer said:
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.
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This.↑
Best post on this topic.
People should start to understand that Google does NOT make their own maps, one(2) of it's main contributors are Tele Atlas and Nasa.
If Google can make navigation software then so can Apple.

Apple "just" have to get the licenses from those same companies and build up an App from there.
Apple has a lot more cash to burn than google so they can easily pull it of.

And for those people who want free turn by turn, it's not going happen, maybe Apple will provide it but only on a paid version, they themselves have to pay licenses if they provide turn by turn.
 
dra said:
finnaly NO to Google and their data selling system
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“When you use Siri or Dictation, the things you say will be recorded and sent to Apple in order to convert what you say into text and, for Siri, to also process your requests,” writes Apple. “Your device will also send Apple other information, such as your first name and nickname; the names, nicknames, and relationship with you (e.g., ‘my dad’) of your address book contacts; and song names in your collection (collectively, your ‘User Data’). All of this data is used to help Siri and Dictation understand you better and recognize what you say. It is not linked to other data that Apple may have from your use of other Apple services. By using Siri or Dictation, you agree and consent to Apple’s and its subsidiaries’ and agents’ transmission, collection, maintenance, processing, and use of this information, including your voice input and User Data, to provide and improve Siri, Dictation, and other Apple products and services.”

Read more: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile...e-to-security-risks-should-you/#ixzz1wur0IvXa
 
rnizlek said:
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.
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I really don't think we have to worry about this guys. Some things are just no brainers in terms of switching to your own maps. I'm willing to bet my last dime, this will be including.
 
justperry said:
This.↑
Best post on this topic.
People should start to understand that Google does NOT make their own maps, one(2) of it's main contributors are Tele Atlas and Nasa.
If Google can make navigation software then so can Apple.
Click to expand...

Google is doing his own mapping.

And people forgets the huge database of places that Google has
 
my ideal would be the option to plug in your own navi-app like how twitter is a module app, but say you plug in Tom-Tom, personally i can easily say goodbye to street-veiw, always felt it was useless, least maybe around here cause it was always hopelessly out of date.
 
I don't understand why Apple is doing this. Google maps is a good thing for iOS. I hope it's worth their time and engery.
 
Why do I get the impending sense of dread that anything nice about this switch is going to be US only…
 
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