Apple's Maps App Directs Alaska Drivers onto Airport Taxiway

[rockyroad55]

Wait, so I can just drive right onto the runway to a ramp? Oh god, this is just a software issue for Apple. The real issue is the lack of security. And wouldn't the head of security there automatically secure that area once one car drove into the runway? He says there has been more than one occurrence.

 

[wigby]

tech news called...

they want their story back from 2012.

i don't care how bad this looks (it's actually not a big deal considering you can still pick out major flaws in google maps who have been doing it much longer), this is not tech news anymore. 20 years from now there will still be little bugs and inconsistencies in all mapping data. let's move one.

 

[Bernd]

Still doing it I just checked. Not fixed by Wednesday Apple.

 

[99turbo]

Suggestion for the next instruction...

"Line up and wait"

Seems particularly appropriate this week.

 

[nikniknik]

For Subang airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Google Maps directs users to the wrong side of the airfield, where the cargo depots are (not an especially safe area at night) and its "Report a mapping issue" feature isn't available for the area. Apple Maps, on the other hand, directs users along better roads to the passenger terminal (and its "Report a Problem" feature, were it needed, is available for the area). So, it's not an simple case of Google Maps having mapping data superior to Apple Maps - Apple Maps wins in some cases, including airport directions.

 

[gettysburg11s]

Maps! Stop the madness!

I am a long time Apple fan and iPhone owner, but enough is enough. I tried using Apple Maps on vacation earlier this year in rural Virginia. It was horribly inaccurate. What a mess. I went back to Google Maps mid-vacation.

Apple really needs to get with the program. Google Maps app is SO much better in almost every conceivable way. I hate to bash an Apple product, but much like The PowerMac G4 Cube, it was a bad idea to begin with.

 

[i-John]

I don't understand why this is front page news?

That's right, they should never report anything where it shows the almighty Apple being flawed.

 

[blogcraft]

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According to the airport's chief of operations, Melissa Osborn, out-of-town drivers have driven onto airport property twice in the past week, crossing the runway and driving directly to the airport ramp side of the passenger terminal. "These folks drove past several signs. They even drove past a gate. None of that cued them that they did something inappropriate," she said.

I know, apple maps suck... but it's not apple's fault that there are idiotic people around with a car and a drivers licence.

 

[gri]

Don't know what is more surprising - that Apple is still getting this wrong (same with several locations in NYC) - or that past 9/11 people can just drive with their car onto an active airfield...

 

[TheHeisenberg]

Tom Tom is troublesome

Speaking as someone who lives outside of the USA, Apple Maps has to improve in a lot of aspects. It's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Much can still be improved. However, I would like to point out that Apple should pay more attention to bug reports. I have been reporting bugs about the name of my hometown for quite a while now, and haven't receive any feedback from Apple.

For those who live in the USA, maybe your voice would be heard by Apple. But ours, who live far from the states, will have a hard time getting their attention.

I love Apple, I love Apple's Maps. I want to use it so much. But as far as I know, Google Maps is currently the most accurate mapping app for my city.

Here's hoping that Tom Tom and Apple's Maps would be much better in the near future.

Cheers.

 

[MN7119]

Not a surprise for a company that has Tim Cook as their CEO. That guy is a joke.

 

[galrito]

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
― Albert Einstein

"There is no evidence that I said that."
- Albert Einstein

But I agree with the quote, nonetheless.

 

[charlituna]

I'm pretty sure that as a provider of the info, Apple has the legal responsibility to ensure the data they provide is reasonably accurate, without glaring or potentially life-threatening errors,

Which is why I asked the question where did the information come from. Because Apple doesn't map everything themselves. If it's like China and it came from the local government then Apple should have been able to count on it being correct.

It would be nice for folks posting stories about this to find out that vital detail before they make this another 'apple done F'd it again’ bashing.

 

[togglemedia]

The report itself could be stored up and sent when you reconnect.

Yes, that's what I was asking. If anyone could test that theory. It would involve tracking any packets sent when you click "Send" when you "Report a Problem".

I was really only stating that there's no indication that it is anything but a placebo. It's possible the report is stored and sent when you reconnect, but most apps don't queue http requests. If you don't have network activity, you at least get an error indicating the submission failed.

 

[charlituna]

People are deluded if they give Apple a pass during this latest snafu. During the past year I've been on Microsoft, Blackberry and android. All their map apps are just ok but it gave correct information.

And how long have they existed. Google Maps is about 12 years old and folks forget but it sucked just as much when it was only 1-2 years old. And in some areas it still sucks. 12 years and a street that was built as a one way 20 years ago in my neighborhood still says it's a two way. 12 years and directions to the city hall in one town sends you to another one 50 miles away, that has nothing similar about the city or street names. And that's from putting in the exact address. And so on

 

[galrito]

Am I the only person that actually READS the directions ANY mapping service gives you before you decide to just start blindly driving? I think had they spent just 2 minutes reading through the directions, they would have figured out these directions were wrong, don't you think? I've had this happen with just about every mapping system out there - including Garmon... just wrong, bad directions. It happens. I hardly think one can blame the mapping system for driving onto a runway... certainly you had to see all of those planes lined up, no? lol.. I dunno...

You are not making any sense. If you do that, how can you sue?

 

[charlituna]

SO WHAT? My built-in navigation system wanted me to do a U-turn on the highway and tells me sometimes wrong directions... SO WHAT?

It's not Apple, it's allowed to have flaws. Apple is not, ever.

Didn't you get the memo (oh and you are still using the wrong cover letters)

 

[locust76]

Considering how well Android is doing right now I doubt that Google is all that concerned about what may have been on iOS. Remember, iOS and Android are directly competing platforms and anything Google does to improve iOS is inevitably going to have negative effects on Android so it's no surprise that they want something in return for doing it.

You have to remember that even though Android is on more devices, there are still hundreds of millions of iOS devices out there, so it is absolutely in Google's best interest to remain relevant on iOS, otherwise they're missing out on a huge chunk of "impressions." (that's what they call ad views)

 

[Terrin]

I think it's funny how Apple fanboys warn the world against the evils of ads. Just such horrors. Thank God iTunes Radio isn't stooping to such a low level.

Yes, and I worry about you that you can't see the difference.

 

[bluespark]

It was never about that. Google was demanding access to the data on your phone. Sorry, but someone else's inability to read a sign doesn't outweigh my privacy.

No, they made no such demand.

 

[nick_elt]

The ads come when you search for things. If you want your business listed, you gotta pay Google. Just like an ad.

i just searched for my restaurant. it came up. never paid them a dime. On my Google maps there's no ads.

 

[peteullo]

If it gets me there quicker...

 

[VenusianSky]

Reminds me of the episode of The Office (US) when Michael drove into a lake because the turn-by-turn navigator told him to turn. Dwight knew it was the lake at the turn, but Michael refused to ignore the directions and turned into it anyways.

 

[genovelle]

What surprised me is that after the debut of Google Maps in the App Store why would anybody still use Apple Maps?

Let's See. Looks like a cheap cartoon. Is not as accurate as many claim, they have sent me astray often. I actually downloaded the google version to compare but in my area Apple did a far better job. In iOS 7 it looks even better during turn by turn and siri is so integrated that on a recent trip I said take me to the nearest Taco Bell and with no back and forth my route was entered and accurate.

 

[835153]

Im still stunned that they don't put junction numbers on the motorways?! Its the most fundamental part of a road map.