Apple's New iOS 6 Maps App Drawing Significant Criticism

[iphoneclassic]

This could be another Mobile Me. Even in its latest incarnation iCloud, it is still evolving.

 

[shortcrust]

I simply don't understand why people are making excuses for this!

 

[craznar]

Apple - try this:

1. Keep your new Maps app installed in iOS6
2. Pay for another year of Google maps licence
3. Keep improving Apple Maps until people no longer use Google Maps
4. PROFIT!!!

No-one is complaining about adding Apple Maps, they are complaining about loss of functionality.

 

[Macist]

It does not matter, we HAD a tool that worked, now we don't, end of story!!!

Right. Google Maps was rough and ready 7 years ago. 7 years ago. Why do iPhone users want to regress 7 years. What's in it for us?

 

[Malligator]

This. Also, are all the Apple apologists expecting Google to stand still while Apple tries to catch up? In 7 years, Apple Maps will maybe get to where Google is now, but by then, Google will be lightyears ahead, having mapped the whole world through street view, down to the last village in the forests of Guatemala. They have an infrastructure of regional offices in place, they have the vast search databases, there is no way in hell Apple can come close to that.

Thinking Apple Maps is 7 years behind Google Maps is ridiculous.

 

[OzyOly]

I sincerely don't think so. Otherwise he would be doing be the same when iMac dropped floppies, the fake "antennagate" scandal and so on. Apple has thrived on bold decisions, and this is just another one of them for strategic reasons (long term non-reliance on Google).

Design-wise, Apple Maps seems great. Vector-based maps are MUCH more responsive than iOS 5's Maps. Directions are great. Traffic information is useful.

You want more info? It's coming from Apple and the gazillions of iOS users.

ONCE MORE: to expect it to be as comprehensive from day ONE as a seven-year old Google app is LUDICROUS. Get over it and grow up, please.

p.s.: And it's "somersaults" by the way...

I was expecting it to be as comprehensive as a map you can buy in a tourist information centre. £1 Map > £600 iPhone it seems. And summersault is a valid variant of the spelling I think you'll find.

 

[grooveattack]

I like the UI, and the speed. but the data is all rubbish.


Where did they source the data from??
Is a fix going to need to be an app update or can they do it all server side???

 

[mikefla]

I also had hopes that this App would replace TomTom, one day perhaps but not anytime soon! On the other hand I also never really used Google Maps, it was also horrible. And I do hope Apple realizes that the app is absolutely useless if you can't get a data connection, it would be great if the app allowed a user to select certain maps and fully download them to the device so they can use the app even when they don't have any sort of data connection. This is why I like TomTom, all the maps are store on the device and all I need is a GPS signal, the way it should be! Any other way and your app is useless if you are in the middle of nowhere with no data access, your phone will be as good as a worthless rock.

-Mike

 

[xAnthony]

This. Also, are all the Apple apologists expecting Google to stand still while Apple tries to catch up? In 7 years, Apple Maps will maybe get to where Google is now, but by then, Google will be lightyears ahead, having mapped the whole world through street view, down to the last village in the forests of Guatemala. They have an infrastructure of regional offices in place, they have the vast search databases, there is no way in hell Apple can come close to that.

Incorrect. Apple has the resources available in order to catch up. It will take a few years, but Apple could definitely be on par, if not better than Google maps. It will just take time. Technology has also changed a lot in the last seven years. It's much easier to get map data and correct information now than it was seven years ago, when Google was starting off.

 

[Morgenland]

Don't waste time....

In the german version, we can send Apple correction for wrong entries. And we do like hell to get a perfect map in less than 7 years. Is this not possible in the US version? Why then wasting time by just complaining?

 

[Malligator]

I simply don't understand why people are making excuses for this!

I simply don't understand why people are going ape**** crazy over this!

 

[scottwaugh]

It does. Click the blue arrow on the banner above a map pin, scroll down on the next page to report a problem.

I hope, from a technical standpoint, their backend iron (and people to act on them) doesn't get overwhelmed with the issues....the amount that will be flowing in over the coming weeks is going to be staggering.

 

[lordofthereef]

Make them an offer they can't refuse.

Google Maps is widely accepted as the best mapping platform the public has access to. I think the only offer Google wouldn't refuse is if Apple immediately ceases sale, production, and any further development of iOS devices.

 

[shortcrust]

But Apple Maps is not 7 years behind. The map data is server side and can be updated 24/7. Features such as Transit maps didn't appear until less than two years ago and for all we know it could be added very shortly to Apple Maps. But, by all means, overreact just like people do to any quibble that is found with each iteration of iOS.[/QUOTE]

There are four schools near my house. The only one shown on apple maps closed 40 years ago!!! Out of the 15 petrol stations found, 14 are not petrol stations and the one that is closed 10 years ago.

Overreaction? Quibble?! Get real.

 

[j4zb4]

Maybe it was Google that do not want to license it out? it takes two to tango.

iOS and Android are competing head to head. Anyone running business on one side CANNOT be relying the otherside to give you breaks. Simple business.

Apple will be fine. The Map app will be fine. Competition to make Mapping better will be good for us.

I agree on your last statement... But I do not believe Google chose not to license... It is more likely that they asked for a very steep amount to re-license... Which again doesn't make sense as they are mainly interested in data logging of users... Which is their main bread and butter...

All said and done I hope the next iteration is vastly improved... Heck here in India we don't even get plain and simple directions... I am not even asking for a flyover... I don't even want Voice assistance... Atleast SHOW me the GOD DAMN ROUTE...! If I click on a location sent to me by a friend on whatsapp it takes me to the maps.google mobile site...

 

[CyrusKafaiWu]

My home town Niagara Falls has clouds covering half the town. What is this?

 

[lordofthereef]

I simply don't understand why people are going ape**** crazy over this!

People who utilized maps for day to day life are going to go ape **** crazy. I know I used public transport. Now I need to download another app (which I don't know is as reliable, maybe it is) and wait for maps from google to hit the appstore. Problem is, the latter hasn't happened yet. Yes, there are a lot of people that rely on google maps to quickly an efficiently get from point A to B to C.

 

[Malligator]

But Apple Maps is not 7 years behind. The map data is server side and can be updated 24/7. Features such as Transit maps didn't appear until less than two years ago and for all we know it could be added very shortly to Apple Maps. But, by all means, overreact just like people do to any quibble that is found with each iteration of iOS.[/QUOTE]

There are four schools near my house. The only one shown on apple maps closed 40 years ago!!! Out of the 15 petrol stations found, 14 are not petrol stations and the one that is closed 10 years ago.

Overreaction? Quibble?! Get real.

I guess we're reacting differently to this because I learned how to find schools and gas stations long before Google came along.

 

[kas23]

Do you remember when Google Maps was introduced back in 2006. It didn't have subways for any city. NONE.
It took a whole year just to get partial subway for NYC, DC and San Francisco.

What I'm saying is that we are "primed" to look critically at Apple's take on mapping. Understand and realize that to get where Google Maps is today required 7 years of innovation. Apple just got in the game.

I am not excusing the flaws within their mapping division, but for a first time foray into public release it's beats the living crap out of what Google released back in 2006.

OH, and if you can't remember what cities were even mapped by Google in 2006 - only a handful.

Citation: (for those who are source happy): http://news.com.com/2061-10812_3-6160719.html

That Google's map data took years to develop and was weak at first is completely irrelevant. The fact is Google's product back then was completely innovative. It was greatly ahead of its competitors MapBlast and Mapquest at that point. Now, after all these years, consumers expect a certain standard of quality, which Google has set. Apple's maps are doing nothing considered innovative or new, and most of their data is borrowed anyhow (from TomTom), so they really have no excuse for releasing a quarter-baked product.

 

[lordofthereef]

I agree on your last statement... But I do not believe Google chose not to license... It is more likely that they asked for a very steep amount to re-license... Which again doesn't make sense as they are mainly interested in data logging of users... Which is their main bread and butter...

It's already been confirmed that Google is re-releasing maps app with improvements for the appstore. I am guessing this had little or nothing to do with Google and everything to do with Apple wanting to distance themselves from Google as best they can.

 

[shortcrust]

I guess we're reacting differently to this because I learned how to find schools and gas stations long before Google came along.

Pathetic.

 

[Malligator]

People who utilized maps for day to day life are going to go ape **** crazy. I know I used public transport. Now I need to download another app (which I don't know is as reliable, maybe it is) and wait for maps from google to hit the appstore. Problem is, the latter hasn't happened yet. Yes, there are a lot of people that rely on google maps to quickly an efficiently get from point A to B to C.

I 'use' my phone. I've learned to never really 'rely' on it.

 

[Man9z0r]

This is a mess... Apple should of just waited until it was more polished before release. I think Apple has got their head in the wrong place and just wants to own every little part of everything. Look how long it took for Google to make maps so good. It is just like when they released Siri. A total mess and hope to just keep patching it on the way. At least Google lets you know things are beta and doesn't try to sound all high and mighty about it when they do release something.

 

[Malligator]

Pathetic.

My thoughts exactly about being so dependent on technology.

 

[lordofthereef]

I guess we're reacting differently to this because I learned how to find schools and gas stations long before Google came along.

People can still find everything they can without maps. Hell, you can do everything you NEED to do without a smartphone, or a phone for that matter. The human race has been getting along just fine for a much longer time without these technologies than with them. The thing is these technologies are conveniences. I don't want to have to look at a paper mask, or ask a gas station clerk (most of which don't even give good directions anymore since they are all kids who grew up in the era of the computer) when I could, much more easily, find where I need to go on my smartphone. That is why I bought the damn thing... to make things I do day to day easier and more efficient.