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Apple Replacing Google Maps On iOS With Its Own Solution Later This Year
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Yup...This is the same Apple from 1987...can't work with other businesses because of Apple's "My way or the highway" mentality.
So Apple is going to a)take away the most popular mapping system on the planet and replace it with some Apple-created one b)Apple really isn't in the mapping business and c)Apple is just digging itself deeper into the "only made by Apple" mentality that killed Apple in the late 80s through the mid 90s.
I still laugh so hard when Apple released the iPod and it was only compatible/available with Macs...you know, those machines owned by 0.1% of the world population back in 2001. Then Apple (Jobs actually, by all reports) finally agreed to port iTunes to Windows so the other 99+% of the world could use it and the rest is history. If Apple keeps believing the consumers are going to mindlessly buy Apple products that are 100% Apple, Apple's in for another crash.
Let's see what Google releases in a few days as part of their new map system...and what iOS users will not be able to enjoy.
Ding ding ding, bingo. The point missed by most people here. I am sure Apple will do something to try and side step this but in the mean time I can set up maps on my mac and it goes straight to my android phone. Don't have my iphone anymore but does your maps show up in the map app in iOS?
Why set the bar so low? Siri is great and all... but it still sounds a bit robotic to me. Some of the standalone GPS voices sound really natural. Even the Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google Navigation app has a voice that sounds pretty good.
Try again↓
Why? Where does it contradicts what I'm saying? Google started mapping for his own and now it uses different sources depending of the type of map or place.
For the millionth time... SCREENSHOT of iPhoto for iOS.
To clarify: The picture in the article is not a screenshot of a new maps app. Nor is it a mock up of anything. It is just a screenshot of the iPhoto location tile screen on iOS.
And people should understand that the value of Google Maps is not in the maps themselves (anybody can walk into a convenience store and buy a map), it's in all the geolocation data tied to places, shops, restaurants, sights, cities and in services like Street view, directions, mass transit information, etc.. etc..
Right now, I can search for a route from a restaurant to a specific bar accross town and ask Google to make that route using mass transit and walking only. It gives me the stops I will need to wait at, the buses I need to take, at what time from the current time and be pretty good about it. I will also be able to see the surrounding streets as if I was there so that when I do get there using the bus, I will know where to get off by seeing things I recognize.
That's the value of Google Maps. Now, the question is, can Apple match this on release, on the scale that Google offers it right now (more than just the US), with the same breadth of data ?
For one, I doubt they can match Street View that's for sure. The question is, will they have a feature that is similar enough, or a feature that sets it apart.
The problem with Apple is not things like revolutionizing markets using systems. The problem with Apple is revolutionizing things in the area of cloud services. Ping, MobileMe, .Mac, iCloud, whatever, Apple has never been great at these things. Will iMap be different ? Will it be just a "meh, shoulda stuck with Google Maps" kinda thing ?
In the end, they better make darn sure they aren't replacing Google out of spite, but because they do have a genuine better solution. At this point, no one can say since we just don't know. And when we do, it will be too late to go back if this is another Ping in the making.
Exactly.
For anyone that has used both Android and IOS platforms, I assume that all agree that turn by turn is a necessity that IOS is seriously lacking. Obviously, in my eyes, Google will not just give it too them....so we get a watered down version. Apple has no other choice than to develop it on their own. If anyone expects perfection just out of the gate, then expect to be disappointed. It will take time to get it right (even if years of R/D have been invested, there will be catches, and we know this.)
I for one support the effort, sheerly because TxT Directions are the only thing I miss from Android, and IMO the only serious item that IOS is lacking from an otherwise solid and performing platform (comparing basic functions anyway.)
I hope some of you realize that Google acquired Keyhole software and that they were the original makers of what you know know as Google Earth and Google maps. Google has not been in the maps business that long.
Also consider that the firmed which Apple have acquired were involved with Nokia's 3D map solution which is at least on par with Google 3D maps if not better.
Also consider that the firmed which Apple have acquired were involved with Nokia's 3D map solution which is at least on par with Google 3D maps if not better.
I couldn't disagree more.
Lately when I've been searching for a location with the Maps app on my iPad or iPhone to help plan a trip, I have been getting hits for Google's "sponsored links", instead of what I'm actually looking for.
Sometimes "even the most unknown little shops, restaurants or companies in the most unknown places" aren't helpful.
I'm not so sure about that... Apple ran into lots of trouble with the Feds in the past when the tried the stall other Google apps from iOS... they have to apply their policies evenhandedly otherwise they will get lots of scrutiny.
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Also if they don't have the public transportation option for routing with the route numbers and times.
For some people, sure. My guess is the majority of people use google maps like I do...search -> directions -> from my current location.
No saved searches, no favorites/reviews, no saved routes. For people's houses I have the information in address book.
I'm not saying that Apple's solution will be better at everything, but I'm sure it will be better at some things.
And this could end up better for everyone...Google may be allowed to implement their own GMaps standalone app, which means we get more than a yearly update. Plus it means more new features all around because of the increased competition.
Maybe they'll do one better and have a more thorough public transportation option. The one in Google Maps really isn't that good for the cities it does have, and is missing plenty of other places (neither college town that I've lived in were on Google Maps, but both had wonderful, consistent bus systems with published routes and times.) I get that the transit companies have to do their part with this, but hopefully Apple finds a way.
While there's a chance that Apple's map solution will be better than Google's, I doubt it, and for that reason, I hope they allow Google Maps into the App Store as a standalone app.
Of course they will include turn-by-turn. Apple always wanted turn-by-turn apart of maps app, but google refused to let them have it. I think that's one of the main reasons Apple decided to build their own.
My mother-in-law hated her android with a passion. She finally switched to iPhone and likes it very much. However she was shocked that iOS didn't include turn-by-turn. She almost switched back to android just for the TxT. I convinced her to just get a 3rd party TxT app.
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Neither Google nor Apple directly sell anyone's data. It's too valuable to them.
If you mean selling targeted ad space in Maps, then it's quite possible that Apple would do the same on their version with their own iAds system.
This is all about Apple wanting to be the ones to gather information and sell ad space, instead of allowing iOS devices to do that with Google with a small kickback.
I thought it was general knowledge.
Here's a recent article about the history of apple v google maps.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email...98502695522974-lMyQjAxMTAyMDAwNDEwNDQyWj.html
"Apple executives also wanted to include Google's turn-by-turn-navigation service in the iPhonea feature popular with Android users because it lets people treat their phones as in-car GPS devices. Google wouldn't allow it, according to people on both sides. One of these people said Google viewed Apple's terms as unfair."