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Do you use Google Maps or Apple Maps for Driving?

Google Maps or Apple Maps or Something else

  • Google Maps

    Votes: 196 45.6%

  • Apple Maps

    Votes: 148 34.4%

  • Waze

    Votes: 43 10.0%

  • Something else

    Votes: 38 8.8%

  • I don't need a map/GPS to drive

    Votes: 5 1.2%
  • Total voters
    430
raggdoll said:
I don't get why more people aren't saying they use Garmin, it's the gold class gps mapping choice.
Click to expand...

Garmin gets their map data from NavTeq which is now part of Nokia (HERE maps devision). And while the data used to be the "gold" standard, it certainly isn't today.

Have you tried submitting error reports to Here/Navteq lately? I have, it takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years before the fix shows up in a map update. Go to GPSpassion forums and see the countless of errors reported in 2012 that are just now making their way to the City Navigator 2015 packages.

It also depends on your location but for most users on dedicated mapping/GPS forums, in terms of map updates and data accuracy this is the order I've seen:

1. Google Maps
2. TomTom (data for Apple Maps) - distant 2nd but getting better
3. Navteq/HERE (data for Garmin)

As much as I hate to admit it, it's near impossible for anyone now to catch Google in this space.
 
Waze is actually faster since it doesn't require the step of having the company review. As a regular user of the app, I can go in and add streets, add closed roads, etc.

It's amazing when done properly and you have a dedicated group of users in your area who modify/clarify the maps on a regular basis.
 
I use the Google App. I do a search on my desktop. When I am in the car, I just need to enter the first character and the whole address pops up. I can also send an email to my gmail account and Google shows this address as one of the choices. Saves me from typing this information.
 
Google maps, but I'm not sure if I will use it that much.

Just a week ago Google maps almost took me to the queens tunnel for some reason in Manhattan... Good thing I noticed or else i would of been stuck in crazy traffic going the wrong way.
 
MozMan68 said:
Waze was always a social app and as far as I can tell, not a single thing has changed since Google bought them.
Click to expand...

You haven't looked very hard. Example: I used to be able to iMessage or email anyone with a link to my current location and ETA that could be viewed in any browser. Now the recipient must be a fellow Waze social-network member.

That's creepy, and it sucks, and it happened post-Google so the blame's on them. It sucks to the point that I've virtually ceased using Waze and will probably delete it shortly. It still has good traffic routing but it's way less useful to me if I can't use it to communicate with colleagues (without roping them into a social network they might not want to belong to-- and not everyone has a compatible smartphone either).
 
I have purchased the full TomTom North America and Garmin North America. Generally on standalone GPS units I like Garmin. On my Phone I have deleted Garmin and use TomTom as I think it works better and usually use that one.

If I am on the fly I will ask Siri for directions and use Apple maps and it has worked flawlessly so far.
 
sjinsjca said:
You haven't looked very hard. Example: I used to be able to iMessage or email anyone with a link to my current location and ETA that could be viewed in any browser. Now the recipient must be a fellow Waze social-network member.

That's creepy, and it sucks, and it happened post-Google so the blame's on them. It sucks to the point that I've virtually ceased using Waze and will probably delete it shortly. It still has good traffic routing but it's way less useful to me if I can't use it to communicate with colleagues (without roping them into a social network they might not want to belong to-- and not everyone has a compatible smartphone either).
Click to expand...

Gotcha...but realize that the change they made requires the other person to have Waze only because they can now actually track your drive live. I'm sure they would say they improved it as you get to see where the other person actually is instead of just an estimated route/eta.

I've never even used that function...just love seeing where cops are as well as the re-route function. ;)
 
I use Apple Maps since it has yet to do wrong by me. I drove down to OBX over the summer and also drove up to the Adirondacks this past October. Both times I used Apple Maps, and I was guided accuractely to point B. I do have Google Maps installed on my phone as a fail safe just in case.
 
I use Apple Maps because I usually use Yelp to search for the address, and then just click on directions within the app. That takes me directly to the Apple Maps app. If there was a way to change the default maps app within iOS for use with other apps, I would use Google Maps.
 
Even though Waze has failed me once or twice it is still my "goto" I like how it is run by REAL users. As in cops/road hazards are marked.

I use the other two equally from time to time. I have actually had one time when both Google and Waze could not find a place, but Apple maps did.

I was shocked

On a side note, does anyone use Ford Sync navigation? How does that work for them/you?
 
I use Apple maps and it hasn't done me wrong yet. However, I'm not exactly a huge user.

Also, I'm surprised how close Google and Apple maps are in the poll.
 
CPx said:
I use Apple maps and it hasn't done me wrong yet. However, I'm not exactly a huge user.

Also, I'm surprised how close Google and Apple maps are in the poll.
Click to expand...

Not surprised. Then again, online polls and MacRumors are not necessarily representative of the user base as a whole.

Recall last year when the usage stats showed a steep decline in Google Maps users on iOS. Yes, the botched Maps launch was a PR disaster. But, the fixes and improvements to the app over the last two years have been enough for the majority of iOS users to stick with Maps and not bother with Google.

If you line the two apps up side-by-side, a majority might in fact prefer Google Maps. But, Apple Maps' integration with other system functions likely trump any map preferences for the majority of users. And that seems like how the actual usage patterns have shaken out.
 
ATC said:
Garmin gets their map data from NavTeq which is now part of Nokia (HERE maps devision). And while the data used to be the "gold" standard, it certainly isn't today.

Have you tried submitting error reports to Here/Navteq lately? I have, it takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years before the fix shows up in a map update. Go to GPSpassion forums and see the countless of errors reported in 2012 that are just now making their way to the City Navigator 2015 packages.

It also depends on your location but for most users on dedicated mapping/GPS forums, in terms of map updates and data accuracy this is the order I've seen:

1. Google Maps
2. TomTom (data for Apple Maps) - distant 2nd but getting better
3. Navteq/HERE (data for Garmin)

As much as I hate to admit it, it's near impossible for anyone now to catch Google in this space.
Click to expand...

Submitting error reports and that taking a long time means Garmin is third in mapping and GPS systems? I don't think so, they are the go to company for most people needing GPS systems (not including citiots using smart phone maps to find their next latte lol).
 
I deleted my Google Maps after I realized that Apple Maps save more battery.

However, I am still not too happy Apple Maps does not give me the option to avoid toll. I guess I just have to figure out which roads are toll roads.
 
I tried to use Apple maps again with this phone and I was glad I checked to make sure it was going to the correct places. Three times in a row it was taking me to a destination several blocks from the actual location.

But I mostly use my car gps. It's easy to enter the destination and never takes me to the wrong place. It shows me traffic but doesn't incorporate that into the route... I wish it did!
 
seasurfer said:
I deleted my Google Maps after I realized that Apple Maps save more battery.

However, I am still not too happy Apple Maps does not give me the option to avoid toll. I guess I just have to figure out which roads are toll roads.
Click to expand...

There's no reason to actually delete Google Maps. While I use Apple Maps exclusively for navigation, I still use Google Maps on a daily basis for its superior traffic information.
 
I use Navigon most of the time, but Apple Maps occasionally.

I never even downloaded Google Maps when it became available; I'm well-covered between the other two.
 
MozMan68 said:
Gotcha...but realize that the change they made requires the other person to have Waze only because they can now actually track your drive live. I'm sure they would say they improved it as you get to see where the other person actually is instead of just an estimated route/eta.

I've never even used that function...just love seeing where cops are as well as the re-route function. ;)
Click to expand...

Oh, the cop-spotting is very nice!!

Before, contacts could track using a browser. Now, as you say, they must be Wazers themselves. But say you have a meeting scheduled with someone and want to let their assistant know where you are-- used to be, you'd just email or text them a link, and they could bring it up in a browser. Not everyone has an iPhone even today (though it seems like it sometimes...), so that was a nice feature.

I don't mind implementing a social network for the app, but to eliminate all communicative functionality was really uncalled-for.
 
Google maps all the way. My places sync with both my nexus 6 and iPhone 6+. The streets are bigger and labeled better on google maps. You can also get transit and walking directions with Google maps. Did I mention street view? Oh there was just an update for Google maps that re routes you around road closures.
 
Within the last few weeks apple maps has taken me to a Subway that was no longer in business and a Dunkin Donuts wharehouse. When looking on Google Maps it listed the Subway as closed and the Dunkin Donuts as a warehouse. It also took me too a repeat shop when I asked for a gas station. I live in a major city, mind you! Apple maps is too risky when you're in a rush. I like the fact that its integrated with Siri and that I have the option of a calm speaking male's voice I would expect a lot more for directions within a MAJOR city. I used Waze 98% of the time because its easier but resort to google to to look for addresses and phone numbers to businesses.
 
I have a garmin stand alone and hardly use it since i have the ip6+. The google maps is great, but what I wish it had, maybe its already built in and i cant find it, for the app to automatically tell me which route to take if traffic is messed up ahead etc without having me to actually find a new route or keep touching the screen to find one.

A friend of mine has a android Lg and i believe its a google maps thing, but it knows ahead of time when he gets into his car in morning, what issues on his route and reroutes automatically. I checked his phone and it was under google search or some app so not sure.

I know ios have apps that tells you how many mins to get to your destinations esp mornings to work but having a maps function to change route would be great or learn alternate routes you take.

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eprisencc said:
Google maps all the way. My places sync with both my nexus 6 and iPhone 6+. The streets are bigger and labeled better on google maps. You can also get transit and walking directions with Google maps. Did I mention street view? Oh there was just an update for Google maps that re routes you around road closures.
Click to expand...

is the reroute automatic? i noticed the update too
 
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