Apple Reportedly Had Over a Year Left on Maps Contract with Google

[charlituna]

Misinterpretation?

According to other sources, The Verge misread the information they are given or perhaps just lied about what they were told.

In fact, say these other articles, the contract was going to end this year. That wasn't the issue. The issue was that Apple knew a year ago they had zero intention of renewing and didn't bother to tell Google until they announced it to the public at WWDC this year so Google didn't have time to get their independent app ready. THAT is all.
Which I call stupid them cause they should have seen this coming and starting working on it when Apple started buying map companies

 

[Oletros]

According to other sources, The Verge misread the information they are given or perhaps just lied about what they were told.

In fact, say these other articles, the contract was going to end this year. That wasn't the issue. The issue was that Apple knew a year ago they had zero intention of renewing and didn't bother to tell Google until they announced it to the public at WWDC this year so Google didn't have time to get their independent app ready. THAT is all.
Which I call stupid them cause they should have seen this coming and starting working on it when Apple started buying map companies

What other sources?

 

[frutter]

Now, what would be really funny... Is if Google would put their maps app into the app store and charge money for it.

That way Apple will have pissed off their own users in TWO ways, AND given Google around a billion dollars for free...

Thataway to get revenge over Google.

 

[d21mike]

User or GPS Error or Data Error?

The more people that say "I have a problem where I live" vs "I do not have problems where I live" makes you assume that it is simply the area that they live in. I have been saying I did not have a problem in my area but when trying to do a search for a business (a test because I normally have the address) it could not find it. However, once I reset my current GPS location it had no problem finding the business.

I am starting to wonder if the problem is more of a user error. I think we should stop just taking peoples word for it that there is indeed a map error. Maybe would be helpful if they provided the business name and address of the location in error so that others in that location can do the same test.

Also, some of the maps that have posted on the internet not showing much detail on the map is partly caused by how Apple does not show the detail until you zoom in and not that the detail is not there.

Lastly a GPS Error may not be a user error but simply a problem with the phone in using the GPS starting point. I think in my case I was looking for something not in my area and then tried to find something in my LOCAL area.

I will probably get flamed for this post instead of trying to prove me wrong by showing the problems in detail. Also, I hope we are looking at map errors and not some fly over that is not a clean as it should be.

 

[cotak]

They hate Google. Is it hard to understand?

Yes it is, doing something because of hate is extremely odd for those in charge of a large corporation. Doing something for hate is what irrational lost causes do. It's what drives inner city youths to kill each other over something as worthless and a verbal insult.

It is not something that a large corporation and it's officers use as a reason to make a business decision.

 

[Qfic]

i'm in chelsea and everything is where it should be - what neighborhood are you in?

East Village

 

[iphoneguy2]

Calm down people...This is actually a good thing!!! Now that Google feels the pressure they are highly motivated to give us better quaity apps now. We just might see the IOS version of turn by turn directions they were withholding from us all this time. The youtube app got updated after it was removed from IOS 6.

just look what they are doing to upgrade google voice with a Siri like interface.
http://www.google.com/insidesearch/features/voicesearch/index-chrome.html

Google is not about to walk away from IOS anytime soon...Siri has given them a wake up call, and will contunue to bypass the google search engine.

 

[tigress666]

This isn't to say Google's system is much better, in fact, in some ways it's worse. Google is keen on displaying traffic EVERYWHERE on their map. Google should offer the option to enable / disable traffic data on side streets. It's frustrating to have to turn off traffic info when browsing side streets, because there's so much clutter.

My roommate complains about this too. I don't get it. I like seeing the side street traffic and I don't see how it makes the map more unreadable honestly. I mean it is important to see if there is traffic where ever you are going. It does no good to skip the highway cause the traffic is bad just to get stuck in side street traffic (which can be a helluva lot more frustrating imho due to traffic lights and stuff).

----------

If it's the data that's lacking, how come there have been side by side comparisons where the native Tomtom app is showing superior data to that of Apple maps?

And how come Cook is holding the maps devs in "lockdown"? I mean they're just software developers, right?

Yep. I'm not sure which is better (in terms of getting maps fixed quicker). Bad data or bad implementation.

But I agree, it sounds like it isn't the data (if TomTom tells the truth and people with the TomTom app are saying that they don't get the same mistakes on it) that is the problem but that the maps aren't aligning the data correctly.

THough I will say some of it does sound like the data too (For example people complaining that many roads are missing or towns are not even on the map)... probably a combo of things.

 

[shk718]

East Village

could you show me some examples of businesses that are off a block - i'm curious. so far i haven't been able to find any mistakes in my area. quickly looking I've found 3 missing restaurant's and a slightly misplaced hardware store in google maps.

 

[a0me]

Or just for the vocal .001 percent of users on Macrumors

Not really. There's at least 8 millions of iPhone owners in Japan, and Apple Maps over here are a complete disaster.

 

[Konrad9]

I prefer Apple Maps over Google Maps.

...brand loyalty is utterly insane. Buy/use something because it is of the best quality and best product to use, not because it is made by the brand you like the most.

And do not tell me it is better than Google Maps, I have an Android phone and my girlfriend has a 4S. Her phone is superior in many ways, but Google Maps is far and away easier to use, faster, easier to read, and has more features.

----------

They hate Google. Is it hard to understand?

They hate anything that is not them, even if they buy from them or sell to them.

 

[jake1776]

You know, I'm sick of the, "This wouldn't happen if Steve were here" BS. Sure, Steve Jobs did a lot for Apple, but he was not perfect and he made mistakes too.

I'm confused. What did what I wrote have to do with Steve Jobs? My only point was that this is going to be a TRILLION dollar company ... so I find it annoying that when things like this maps thing ... or antenna gate for that matter... pop up... that naysayers all say, it's over. Apple is done. Funny, for as long as I've been buying Apple products, the naysayers have been saying this (and I've been using and buying them since the 1980s. And look... Apple has more cash than some countries.

 

[Terrin]

What a frigging boneheaded move. The person responsible should be questioned closely. And I daresay that Steve would never have released a new service that was worse than the old.

You are wrong. Steve would have absolutely released it. He may, however, have presented the product differently to explain it was a work in progress. For instance, maybe called it a beta release like Siri.

Further, Apple releasing it now was brilliant on Apple's part. It caught Google off guard and it has no competing product to offer. Most people living in countries like the US and China will use Apple's built in solution that in many ways is better than what Google offered. By the time Google comes out with a solution, people will be happily using Apple's Maps.

Moreover, Google's map solution on iOS was horrible. It lacked basic functionality that other free software like Map Quest offered like turn by turn.

 

[jake1776]

Apple is worth about $670G, not $1T.

Think about it from an investor perspective. It doesn't matter how big the company is. If Apple fails to meet expectations, their stock will go down. The price is partially inflated by expectations (not to be confused with artificial bubbles).

If you read what I wrote earlier ... I wasn't claiming it was worth a trillion dollars. I was saying that expectations are that it WILL be worth a trillion dollars -- and those expectations are in the near term. They are saying by 2013 it will be at a trillion. Admittedly, things could derail apple from getting there ... be regardless... 700 billion... 800 billion ... or over 1 trillion... we are talking more money than anyone in this forum apparently comprehends. With this kind of money, a small country could develop a nuclear weapon. So I don't think making a killer Maps application is going to be out of the question.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/will-apple-be-the-first-to-break-1-trillion/

 

[Mo3mo3]

Absolutely irrelevant and incorrect. Google Maps was launched in 2005. iOS users had an accurate map app prior to iOS 6 now they don't. That's like saying the signal on this new phone is pretty poor and you saying "well you know we didn't have phones 30 years ago, shut up complaining". It's a bit condescending to suggest people only use maps to find their way home!

OMG , you don't even get sarcasm !
The point i said is 5 yrs back ( which is not too long ago) we did not have the smart phone we have now, and we did not have the maps every where we go (if you read that right )
it's a new app and has some glitches just like any well made app ( google was even worst when they started their maps)
The joke about getting home is to show how stupid all these complains are , i understand it might affect what we got used for but not the end of the world.

unless all your life was dependant on google maps ! then yes you are right

 

[tigress666]

I'm confused. What did what I wrote have to do with Steve Jobs? My only point was that this is going to be a TRILLION dollar company ... so I find it annoying that when things like this maps thing ... or antenna gate for that matter... pop up... that naysayers all say, it's over. Apple is done. Funny, for as long as I've been buying Apple products, the naysayers have been saying this (and I've been using and buying them since the 1980s. And look... Apple has more cash than some countries.

Sorry, you responded to some one who said "This wouldn't happen under Steve Jobs" and said something like you didn't think it was a mis step.

My first paragraph was aimed at you, saying that it is obnoxious to see people say this wouldn't happen under steve jobs (cause I wanted to make a clarification I found the comment you responded to annoying cause of that) but I did think it was a big mis-step on Apple's part.

The second paragraph was getting side tracked in a rant of why I hate the, "This wouldn't happen under Steve Jobs" and was not directed at you but at those who keep saying that.

 

[iGrip]

Moreover, Google's map solution on iOS was horrible. It lacked basic functionality that other free software like Map Quest offered like turn by turn.

That was NOT Google's app - it was a native iOS app made by Apple. Yes, it was horrible.

But not nearly as horrible as the new Apple app.

Android, with a true Google app, is heads and tails better than iOS in this instance.

----------

As for the "This wouldn't happen if Steve were here" BS... Mobile Me anyone? How he handled Antennagate?

OK, so Steve Jobs was a total fckup. We get your point. But we disagree.

 

[Terrin]

...brand loyalty is utterly insane. Buy/use something because it is of the best quality and best product to use, not because it is made by the brand you like the most.

And do not tell me it is better than Google Maps, I have an Android phone and my girlfriend has a 4S. Her phone is superior in many ways, but Google Maps is far and away easier to use, faster, easier to read, and has more features.

It may be superior on Android, but on iOS Google maps sucked. It lacked basic features like turn by turn that other apps like Map Quest offered for free. Moreover, Apple Maps draws data much quicker, reroutes directions faster than I have ever seen, and the graphics are better. On the new iPhone 5, the experience is downright amazing compared to the product it replaced. Moreover, Google recently announced it was significantly going to raise the price companies like Apple had to pay for the data. Apps like Tom Tom and Navigon also where much better on iOS than Google's offerings.

Much of Apple's problems with Maps are in select countries and involving points of interest data. Google Maps still has problems with points of interest data as it always changes, but maybe not to the extent of Apple's new offering. The points of interest data will be corrected quickly. There is no way Apple isn't going to make the map experience great on its flag ship product. In Apple's defense, most of the developers had nothing but glowing reviews for maps prior to release. Rightfully so, as it is a good product.

I for one think Apple's Maps is much better than Google for giving me driving directions. Is Google's product better on Android, perhaps but I have no interest in using a cheaply made disposable Android phone that costs the same or more than an iPhone. I was at the dog park the other day and three people I know have various model Android phones. All were complaining, that they were falling apart before the contract was up. Meanwhile, I have a 3G, a 4, a 4S, and soon to be iPhone 5 all running strong. If I weren't an Apple guy, I'd buy a Nokia phone and use Windows first. At least Nokia knows how to make a phone that will make it through the contract.

Finally, people act like Google's maps are the beyond debate best. That simply isn't true. If you don't even consider Apple's new product, in my view Nokia Maps is much better.

 

[faroZ06]

If you read what I wrote earlier ... I wasn't claiming it was worth a trillion dollars. I was saying that expectations are that it WILL be worth a trillion dollars -- and those expectations are in the near term. They are saying by 2013 it will be at a trillion. Admittedly, things could derail apple from getting there ... be regardless... 700 billion... 800 billion ... or over 1 trillion... we are talking more money than anyone in this forum apparently comprehends. With this kind of money, a small country could develop a nuclear weapon. So I don't think making a killer Maps application is going to be out of the question.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/will-apple-be-the-first-to-break-1-trillion/

I thought you said it was worth 1 trillion when you said "Bottom line: a trillion dollar company with a massive trove of patents is not going to be phased by this."

Anyway, people expect plenty of companies to be worth more than they are. If everyone expected Apple to be worth $1T, they would be worth $1T just from people buying stock. A few analysts' predictions are nothing to be sure about. Right now, I'm happily sitting without AAPL stock as the bad PR rises and bad news from Europe drives the shares down. If this turns into a PR nightmare, Apple's value will go down a certain percentage temporarily.

Consider how many people think Apple is perfect or at least near-perfect. People buy stuff just for the Apple logo because the Apple logo in most cases ensures good quality. Investors have high expectations for Apple because it is great at making profits. Something like this could scare a lot of people. Remember that the stock already went down 1.5% or something supposedly from weaker-than-expected iPhone 5 sales (which were actually strong sales, but not as much as they hoped for).

 

[Terrin]

That was NOT Google's app - it was a native iOS app made by Apple. Yes, it was horrible.

But not nearly as horrible as the new Apple app.

Android, with a true Google app, is heads and tails better than iOS in this instance.

----------

Yes, it was an Apple app based on a licensing agreement between the parties. Other than features, there was nothing wrong with the app. You honestly think Apple would deny its users basic functionality found on Android phones like turn by turn if it were not for Google failing to provide Apple the data it needed?

Further, the new app is almost identical to the old app except for the features. Since the Google app lacked basic features, I am really enjoying the new Apple Maps. It has turn by turn, graphics are nicer, and it is very fast. I haven't reverted to my Navigon App once.

 

[Limoman]

Apple knows what there doing about maps

First of all the maps is really not that bad yes we were spoiled with google maps but they have a big head start . The more we use maps the better it will get and it will take some time but that's ok I reported an incorrect address and they fix it .apple did the right thing in my opinion .

 

[chrisbru]

Sorry mate you've missed the point. Apple had years, maybe three, to get their solution off the ground. They also had the advantage of taking on board Googles experience with starting from scratch. The shouldn't have been in the same starting position eight years on. You and others seem to have too much faith in this idea of crowd-sourced data. You have to offer users a solution that is at least close to ,say 90%, accurate or they just won't bother using it in the first place to offer error reports.

I love Apple gear but I'm not blind to the ridiculous situation they have put themselves in. It's amazing how many folks on here see this as a storm in a teacup, a problem being talked up by Android fanboys or a software glitch that's going to magically get patched. Whilst I agree people posting here may not represent the vast majority of IOS users, this issue has gone mainstream in a lot of the media. You'd have to pretty blind to not recognise that this must affect millions of map users across the world.

Que., the "it's the media fault" and "really, millions prove it" posts.

I think i give up




Ref:
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/06/2...t-apple-is-building-its-own-mapping-solution/

I never said that it isn't a problem. I'm aware that it is a problem for many people. But I'm also saying that it will get better, simply based on the quantity of iPhone 5s sold. Sure, there are plenty of people that need maps for daily use and cannot upgrade to the 5 or iOS 6 because of it. But there are plenty of other people who are like me and do not depend on maps to get us from A to B, but are interested enough in seeing Apple's maps.app get better that we will use it in order to help make it better.

I agree that this is a problem, but it's not an end-of-the-world problem. It will get better, and the more people that use it the faster it will get there.

Apple made a decision to give users turn-by-turn directions and sacrifice the reliability of Google Maps. While many do not agree with that decision, many do agree with it.

The best solution to this (if Google is telling the truth) would have been to give Google an advance warning that they should begin developing an application for the App Store if they wanted to continue offering their maps solution on iOS 6. Although maybe Apple just didn't care, or didn't think it would take Google more than 3 months to develop one. We don't really know the answer to this, but I don't think either Google OR Apple was malicious in regards to this situation.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Funny how quick we all forget what Google maps was like before they gained loads of crowd-sourced data. It's going to take some time for Apple to catch up, but the more people use it and report problems, the better it will get.

As explained before Apple will never catch up to google. They are just way to far behind. As for crowd sourcing date, They have less ability to grab it that Google. Top it off Google is pulling in information from more location so it has just better data to begin with.

 

[steve-p]

If you read what I wrote earlier ... I wasn't claiming it was worth a trillion dollars. I was saying that expectations are that it WILL be worth a trillion dollars -- and those expectations are in the near term. They are saying by 2013 it will be at a trillion. Admittedly, things could derail apple from getting there ...

Microsoft were worth almost as much in 1999 as Apple are now, and look what happened to them. Hint: they didn't make it to the trillion. They lost focus, thought they knew best about a bunch of things, and it turned out they didn't.

 

[laurim]

As explained before Apple will never catch up to google. They are just way to far behind. As for crowd sourcing date, They have less ability to grab it that Google. Top it off Google is pulling in information from more location so it has just better data to begin with.

I don't understand why people keep saying Apple is too far behind. The new app uses multiple established data sources, including TomTom which has been around for many years. Apple didn't create all this data from scratch in the last year.