Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple's New iOS 6 Maps App Drawing Significant Criticism
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
You logic doesn't quite follow as for Google to get GMaps to where it is today required that 7 years of in-the-market crowd-sourced data. Apple wouldn't be able to just hang on to the base they've built and keep making it better as fast as it'd be able to expand being out in the hands of users.
It will improve much quicker in our hands than behind the scenes in Apple's. Those of you who want to go to Android over it, do it. They have a lot to offer. I'm gonna wait and see because I figure Apple did this knowing the consequences and knowing the rewards.
Sometime in the near future we're going to be talking about how Apple Maps is far and away the best mapping tech/app out there. Mark my words. Until then, I can make do with what I've got and with what's available.
That might explain why your favourite Indian restaurant isn't on there yet.
It doesn't explain why (e.g) so much of the satellite imagery for the UK is in black & white; totally obscured by clouds or very poor resolution (where it was fine in the old Maps). Are you expecting iOS users to submit their own satellite photos? Where are the Apple vans going round taking photos for their version of Street View? The reliance on third-party apps for public transport routing doesn't look like a temporary measure, either.
You can keep on saying it, and that won't make it true.
What is ludicrous is that Apple replaced their existing Maps app (which was already falling behind the Android one) with something even worse without arranging for some sort of extended public beta or changeover period. They could have developed a separate turn-by-turn app until it was ready to take over as the main Maps App.
The problem is that you don't get a choice (other than refraining from upgrading - which is fine until you want to upgrade or replace your hardware, or need some other iOS6 feature).
I find it hard to believe that it was impossible to do a deal with Google: Apple need high-quality mapping to make viable mobile devices; Google would very much like to go on data-mining the millions of iOS users.
Agree with You in everything but "just wait 7 years until Apple get's it right" (this might creative engineering of your statement).
Google Maps is massively crowd-sourced, not only from their Android ecosystem but from all over the web as well. There are multiple ways of participating in making Google maps better (i have submitted a lot of different stuff) and it's a piece of cake to enter. Hell, some places in Africa are mapped by the users themselves...
Maps is just IOS so far, it's unclear to me how one participate or how to make any improvements and if it's possible at all. As other has stated, they haven't have much luck in seeing any corrections being done during the beta phase and just counting the number of mistakes (over 30) around my address makes me prepare for the worst - and yes that means looking at other options (Android), this is how markets works.
Google have invested heavily in having killer maps and if they want to show IOS users what they are missing that's just the way it is. People here seem to look at Google maps as a static thing and that Apple maps will surpass it in 18 months (think I saw some egghead say this via Daring Fireball) - I just don't see it... enlighten me if you got special insight... so far I'm seeing Apple apologists and reverse trolling.
AMEN to your last statement...!
And you see what I mean by not being in a hurry... They have to allow Google maps in the appstore anyways... To avoid being slapped by anti-trust... Why not just license it for a few more years till your app is ready for prime time and save the embarrassment too... Something just doesn't add up... I am abusing Apple at the moment.. But, somewhere it doesn't make sense to me...
I know exactly what that is. Let me guess, it's the American side that is clouded over, right? Those are actually toxic clouds from nearby plants. Perfectly appropriate for Niagara Falls.
First of all yes Google's maps are better currently, but really it is all relative. Different places can see different benefits from either maps. For example in my area 26105, WV using the previous, maps app, the satellite imagery was absolutely awful. With the new app, it looks fantastic, and you can zoom in much further with far better resolution. That's just one example. Personally I like the new app better, I think it will be much better when iOS 6.1 comes out, but it'll get there. One thing is for sure, the icon looks far better.
Firstly, I'm not defending Apple. I'm simply stating that for this magnitude, considering their maps division infancy, their attempt with respect to their initial entrance into the mapping domain is a relatively good shot. Compared to Google - I will agree it's absolute garbage.
However you will have to agree that Google has a 7+ year head start on Apple with regard to mapping.
I just honestly don't see licensing being an issue. Maps is downloadable on Windows Phone, and has been for some time. yOutube is available now on all platforms. You could be right, I am not saying there is no chance, it's just my feelings aren't licensing issues. I will agree to disagree on this one.
They did an ok job in the US but elsewhere is awful.
I usually find myself defending Apple (sometimes as unreasonably as some of the apologists on this thread!) so it feels odd to be on the other side, but the maps app here in the UK is truly awful. As a fan I am eagerly awaiting my iPhone 5 tomorrow, but as a developer I am embarrassed by how bad Apple's maps are.
They should have listened to us and waited a few months or even a year until iOS7 before inflicting these maps on their international customers.
You are absolutely correct in everything you have said. Thing is, as consumers, most people just don't give a ish. We had soemthing working. Now we basically don't. We don't care why that happened, just that it did.
----------
What about integrate just a Navigator App with TomTom, .. and forget about the only one working seriously Maps .... Google Maps!!! .... we need only turn by turn navigation, if there is an app for everything why don't do that ????!!!!!!! ..... EpicFail!
Is there an app for helping me understand what you just wrote?
No reverse trolling here. I can acknowledge when a company has great market traction. Google has in this regard when it comes to mapping.
However, if Apple is serious about mapping, their massive coffers of $$$ can prove to be very disruptive.
It really does remain to be seen. Apple's entrance into mapping is less than expected considering their entrance into the cellular domain was more grand. This seems in my opinion not typical of company that prides itself on excellence and completeness. I think they scrambled to get something together in time for this version of iOS. Why? I have no idea.
The very first iPhone, back in 2007, had Maps on it. This was its first release onto a mobile platform and was a very decent version. And remember, Apple was the producer of this app, they just borrowed Google's data. Now, 5 years later, Apple has made its own version of Maps yet again. Like the first time, they used borrowed data (but this time from TomTom). Now, what has happened to Apple over the last 5 years where we saw them release a beautifully functional app back in 2007 to now, where they have released a piece of garbage? Complacency? Arrogance? Interestingly enough, Apple didn't even have any competition breathing down its neck in 2007 and now they do.
But will it be integrated with (e.g.) Contacts or Siri or (as others have pointed out) all the other map-based iOS Apps?
Riiiight... so how are Apple going to crowdsource some decent satellite imagery to replace the monochrome, cloud-obscured, low-res c**p that many areas have now been downgraded to?
What about Street View? Actually - i can see how they could crowdsource streetview, but where's the innovative App that encourages me walk down my road holding my iDevice and sending images, GPS data and accelerometer data to Cupertino, which should have been out for at least a year before they even though about dumping google?
You are absolutely correct in everything you have said. Thing is, as consumers, most people just don't give a ish. We had soemthing working. Now we basically don't. We don't care why that happened, just that it did.
So true.
I guess that disconnect between customers expectations and a companies novel entrance into a domain don't really compute. Customers just want it to work. No if's and's or but's.
I'm curious as to how serious Apple is about mapping and developing their mapping division or if it's a strategic move to show google that we can do it without you?
Last edited:
Incorrect. Apple needs lots of time & money. The problem is the time aspect. Who wants to wait years for a product that is equal to or close to what Google maps is now?
Not I.
Yeah, I'm retracting my earlier statement. After seeing more and more of these errors, especially in places like: http://theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com This goes WAY beyond user-submitted fixes.
Apple had to start somewhere, but with so much missing, mislabelled and lacking detail, there's no way this should have been released at this point.
Apple had to start somewhere, but with so much missing, mislabelled and lacking detail, there's no way this should have been released at this point.