Lot's of ungrateful complainers in here so I figured I would try to be devils advocate for the other side of things:
- The maps app was NEVER updated because it was Google, now it will be all the time because it's Apples
- It's the first version, calm the %#&! down. We've got to start somewhere. That's like ripping Apple for the first iPhone without having the vision to see how great it could become in a few years. Same with Apple maps.
- I LOVE the ability to now say "Siri, find me the closest Trader Joe's market" and I can view all of the nearest locations the map at the same time to figure out which one is the best one to go to! I could never do that before with Google Maps.
- We go from NO turn-by-turn navigation ---> FREE turn-by-turn navigation w/ traffic information. Jesus christ talk about ungrateful
Personally I love the new Apple Maps application, and I have the vision to see it will get better. Those who want to complain can always simply bookmark m.google.com/maps and use the html5 version.
Seriously? Apple replaces something that works well with a pathetic excuse for a replacement and as users we should just say, that's ok, it's the first version, in a year or two it'll be fine. ... Seriously, that's what you're advocating?
Lets look at your points, the maps app was never updated, true, but it worked, was based on a map data set that was incredibly rich and accurate, and used cartography that was clear and easy to read.
It's been replaced by an app that is based on a map data set that for lots of users is not good enough, and uses cartography that whilst prettier (subjectively) is just not as easy to read since it lacks sufficient contrast or colour coding of information.
I recognise that Apple feels the need to cut it's dependence on google, but this was done in a truly craptastic fashion.
It may be the first version, but it's substantially less functional than what it replaces. This would be fine if it was released alongside the old app and you had a choice of which to make the default. even if the new maps was the default and you had to download the old one that would be fine. but no, Apple has replaced something that is essential to most users with something that is half baked and not ready for the prime time, without giving users the option to use the existing application until the new data set is up to par.
Sure the Siri integration is cool, but at the moment in lots of situations, you're as likely to not get the correct information back in your response since there loads of POIs missing. With the older app, sure you had to type in the name of the business you were looking for, but you'd more likely than not get what you were looking for.
As regards turn by turn navigation, i can't get exited about it. I can imagine for some users it's a great feature, but for millions of iphone users who live in major metropolitan areas it's just not a feature you're ever likely to use. and it's inclusion doesn't compensate for all the other faults in the app.
I'm not saying Apple shouldn't make a new maps app, or even that they shouldn't release it, but making it the only alternative for the default map application is a mistake that will downgrade the user experience for millions of users.
