DuckDuckGo Enhances Apple Maps Integration, Including Dark Mode

[MacRumors]

DuckDuckGo has been using Apple Maps to power map-related searches on both desktop and mobile since January, and today the privacy-focused search engine announced further improvements to that integration.

First, when switching to DuckDuckGo's dark theme, Apple Maps now also automatically switches to a dark appearance.

DuckDuckGo has also added a dedicated Maps tab at the top of every search results page. Previously, this shortcut was only displayed for map-related searches, but it now appears for any search queries. For example, if you searched for "cupcakes," the Maps tab might display local bakeries that sell them.

Whereas previously each new map-related search required returning to the default DuckDuckGo search page upon completion, a search field has now been added that allows users to refine local searches instantly.

Last is intelligent autocomplete within the expanded map view. Updating or typing new search queries will now dynamically show you search suggestions that are tailored to the local region displayed. For example, as you type "coffee," search suggestions related to coffee will appear within the map area in view.

These enhancements are available now on both desktop and mobile versions of DuckDuckGo.com.

DuckDuckGo does not collect or share any personal information from DuckDuckGo users, a policy that extends to the Apple Maps integration. Identifiable info like IP addresses are not provided to Apple, and for searches where approximate location is gathered by the browser, it is discarded immediately after it's used.

Article Link: DuckDuckGo Enhances Apple Maps Integration, Including Dark Mode

 

[Solomani]

I love DuckDuckGo's focus on personal privacy.

But sadly its usage, acceptance and popularity will never reach even 2% of Google's marketshare as long as they keep the silly, cumbersome name. Regardless of how many great features they add (to make it parity competitive with other search engines).

 

[BaracksPhallusPalace]

I love DuckDuckGo's focus on personal privacy.

But sadly its usage, acceptance and popularity will never reach even 2% of Google's marketshare as long as they keep the silly, cumbersome name. Regardless of how many great features they add (to make it parity competitive with other search engines).

Lots of people I know use ddg instead of google... It's gotten a lot better over the years.

 

[PastaPrimav]

I wish DuckDuckGo's search results didn't suck.

I switched everything to DuckDuckGo more than a year ago...then while working on projects and furiously searching for answers to programming issues...I started searching Google when I couldn't find what I was looking for (often) and started finding my results immediately.

Sorry to say but I've begrudgingly switched back to Google. I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

 

[ipedro]

I would love it if DuckDuckGo had tighter integration with iOS, appearing in Siri search results and harmonizing its design language. I’ve tried using it as my default search engine and while the search results were adequate, the design looks amateurish and clashes with the clean look of iOS.

I’ve all but removed all Google products from my iPhone and iPad but nothing beats Google as a search engine. DuckDuckGo has the potential to replace it in the Apple ecosystem. Integrating Apple Maps is a great start. Building in the San Francisco font and iOS design elements would be a good next move.

 

[twintin]

I wish DuckDuckGo's search results didn't suck.

I switched everything to DuckDuckGo more than a year ago...then while working on projects and furiously searching for answers to programming issues...I started searching Google when I couldn't find what I was looking for (often) and started finding my results immediately.

Sorry to say but I've begrudgingly switched back to Google. I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

Exactly same issues I have had with DDG and hence have also switched back to Google.

 

[Pafoofnik]

I love DuckDuckGo's focus on personal privacy.

But sadly its usage, acceptance and popularity will never reach even 2% of Google's marketshare as long as they keep the silly, cumbersome name. Regardless of how many great features they add (to make it parity competitive with other search engines).

Yes. How true. Maybe they should choose a more serious name. How about something like "Google"? Choosing a corporate name that sounds like a baby choking on applesauce must've been done by serious people intent on doing no evil, like collecting user data without permission and then selling it, or spying through smartphone operating systems, or refusing to list search results that don't meet their politically correct criteria.

 

[redgreenski]

I use duck duck go everyday now for at least 3 years or more. In general I found results to be same or better than google.

 

[PastaPrimav]

I use duck duck go everyday now for at least 3 years or more. In general I found results to be same or better than google.

Well since I'm confident you're not manually comparing every search you do, I'm sure you have no idea what you're talking about.

DuckDuckGo has a lot of attractive attributes and quality search results is not one of them.

 

[Weaselboy]

I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

https://www.startpage.com

Give Startpage a look. It gets you Google results without the Google tracking.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

I wish DuckDuckGo's search results didn't suck.

I switched everything to DuckDuckGo more than a year ago...then while working on projects and furiously searching for answers to programming issues...I started searching Google when I couldn't find what I was looking for (often) and started finding my results immediately.

Sorry to say but I've begrudgingly switched back to Google. I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

Startpage made me not switch back. With Catalina the search plugin doesn't work anymore, though. Now it's a bit annoying as you have to actually go to startpage.com and cannot just search in the address bar. Sadly privacy still comes with a decrease in comfort.

What I am doing now: I set everything to ddg and use it for daily searches. When I need very specific (good) results I go to google in a private tab.

 

[Marco Klobas]

I love DuckDuckGo's focus on personal privacy.

But sadly its usage, acceptance and popularity will never reach even 2% of Google's marketshare as long as they keep the silly, cumbersome name. Regardless of how many great features they add (to make it parity competitive with other search engines).

Consequently, with a better name, the logo will improve too, which is so-so in my opinion. I second others' opinions: I'd gladly switch from Google to ... whatever it will be called. Google still offers superior search results and Street View is unbeatable. Apple's Look Around is promising.

 

[djtech42]

I wish DuckDuckGo's search results didn't suck.

I switched everything to DuckDuckGo more than a year ago...then while working on projects and furiously searching for answers to programming issues...I started searching Google when I couldn't find what I was looking for (often) and started finding my results immediately.

Sorry to say but I've begrudgingly switched back to Google. I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

Me too. I find myself doing the "!g" bash to pull up Google search results instead all of the time, so at this point, it would save me time to use Google instead again.

 

[Mike MA]

If only DuckDuckGo would provide better local results. For me this is the biggest disadvantage compared to Google.

 

[palmerc2]

Like many others, I switched to DuckDuckGo from Google for privacy reasons. However, the performance leaves something to be desired - plus it may not be as private as they claim.

Startpage looks to be the best search engine for privacy, and search engine results.

 

[Doctor Q]

Like many others, I switched to DuckDuckGo from Google for privacy reasons. However, the performance leaves something to be desired - plus it may not be as private as they claim.

Why do you say that? I use DuckDuckGo and I certainly want to know if there's still a privacy issue.

 

[LogicalApex]

https://www.startpage.com

Give Startpage a look. It gets you Google results without the Google tracking.

Even nicer you can do !s in DDG to open the same search in Starpage.

 

[redgreenski]

Well since I'm confident you're not manually comparing every search you do, I'm sure you have no idea what you're talking about.

DuckDuckGo has a lot of attractive attributes and quality search results is not one of them.

I do compare my results. Again for my purposes they are better or equal to google. Of course YMMV.

 

[ipponrg]

https://www.startpage.com

Give Startpage a look. It gets you Google results without the Google tracking.

Trackers still get sent behind the scenes. Inspect your network tab.
[doublepost=1563312981][/doublepost]

Why do you say that? I use DuckDuckGo and I certainly want to know if there's still a privacy issue.

Were you concerned that there was a privacy issue to begin with DDG?

Both startpage.com and DDG send trackers to themselves for “improving” their service. Instead of giving information to Google, you’d rather give your information to one of these other companies. In both cases, you’re giving information away about yourself in a form either direct or indirectly.

 

[Doctor Q]

Trackers still get sent behind the scenes. Inspect your network tab.

Were you concerned that there was a privacy issue to begin with DDG?

Both startpage.com and DDG send trackers to themselves for “improving” their service. Instead of giving information to Google, you’d rather give your information to one of these other companies. In both cases, you’re giving information away about yourself in a form either direct or indirectly.

If that's the case, is there a better choice?

(You could hide behind a proxy, but that's beyond the average user.)

 

[LogicalApex]

Both startpage.com and DDG send trackers to themselves for “improving” their service. Instead of giving information to Google, you’d rather give your information to one of these other companies. In both cases, you’re giving information away about yourself in a form either direct or indirectly.

That's a disingenuous comparison. DDG and SP track clicks on results to help improve the service by knowing which results are actually relevant, but they don't have any personal information to tie this too. Google on the other hand has endless bounds of personal information to tie this to (everything from a user being logged into Google services to Google's tracking across the web) that allows them to not only know which results are relevant across the population, but also how individual users are responding to ads.

You're comparing a door counter at your local mall store to an ankle bracelet from your local parole board. Both of these will tell us that you went to the local Staples yesterday, but only one of them can tell us how often you go there and has enough data to tell us why.

 

[palmerc2]

Why do you say that? I use DuckDuckGo and I certainly want to know if there's still a privacy issue.

Can you see the image I uploaded in my post? It details some concerning points regarding DuckDuckGo.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Like many others, I switched to DuckDuckGo from Google for privacy reasons. However, the performance leaves something to be desired - plus it may not be as private as they claim.

Startpage looks to be the best search engine for privacy, and search engine results.

View attachment 848480

That's some mud slinging nonsense.

1 - So? Is he never allowed to run another website using another business model now? I don't think I've ever used the same business model twice. You try different stuff out and see what works and what doesn't.
2 - This isn't "a worrying lack of care". This is a single mistake they made over six years ago, and fixed within days of it being discovered. The organization can't be forgiven? Should they shut down and start a new website - that's what it takes to be forgiven? Oh wait, no, look back at #1 - he was involved in something else earlier and hasn't been forgiven for that.
3 - Their log retention policy is they don't. If the government wants to conduct surveillance, they need a warrant, and they'll only be capable of getting new searches, not the old ones, since there's no logs for those anymore.

The person tries saying, oh, move to another country. Because magically the US can't be trusted, but another country can be? Isn't the whole premise here that organizations lie? What magically compels another country to only do good things and only tell the truth?

Why didn't we dive into the backstories of the people who started the other websites?

That person clearly has an agenda. They might be trying to get you to switch to away from DuckDuckGo to one of those other three search engines they mentioned, but I'd guess it's actually a plant from Google. Mud sling at DDG so that people won't feel motivated to switch away from Google.

Well since I'm confident you're not manually comparing every search you do, I'm sure you have no idea what you're talking about.

DuckDuckGo has a lot of attractive attributes and quality search results is not one of them.

Google actually doesn't have squat on DuckDuckGo. I can assure you, I find what I need quickly on DDG, and when I resort to throwing a "!g" on my search, it's rare that I find better results, and I often can't find the better results that DDG gave me.

I do have experience using both search engines. Based on your post, it seems to me that you're just a pot calling the kettle black, failing to actually try out both. You, in fact, are the clueless one.

 

[Jedwardoo]

I have been using DuckDuckGo for almost a year now.

I never noticed nor knew that DuckDuckGo used Apple Maps.

It still needs more improvements, I have been using Apple Maps lately, it is still a lot of catch up Apple has to do with business and phone numbers/addresses of these establishments.

DuckDuckGo has been using Apple Maps to power map-related searches on both desktop and mobile since January, and today the privacy-focused search engine announced further improvements to that integration.

First, when switching to DuckDuckGo's dark theme, Apple Maps now also automatically switches to a dark appearance.

DuckDuckGo has also added a dedicated Maps tab at the top of every search results page. Previously, this shortcut was only displayed for map-related searches, but it now appears for any search queries. For example, if you searched for "cupcakes," the Maps tab might display local bakeries that sell them.

Whereas previously each new map-related search required returning to the default DuckDuckGo search page upon completion, a search field has now been added that allows users to refine local searches instantly.

Last is intelligent autocomplete within the expanded map view. Updating or typing new search queries will now dynamically show you search suggestions that are tailored to the local region displayed. For example, as you type "coffee," search suggestions related to coffee will appear within the map area in view.

These enhancements are available now on both desktop and mobile versions of DuckDuckGo.com.

DuckDuckGo does not collect or share any personal information from DuckDuckGo users, a policy that extends to the Apple Maps integration. Identifiable info like IP addresses are not provided to Apple, and for searches where approximate location is gathered by the browser, it is discarded immediately after it's used.

Article Link: DuckDuckGo Enhances Apple Maps Integration, Including Dark Mode

[doublepost=1563321308][/doublepost]

I love DuckDuckGo's focus on personal privacy.

But sadly its usage, acceptance and popularity will never reach even 2% of Google's marketshare as long as they keep the silly, cumbersome name. Regardless of how many great features they add (to make it parity competitive with other search engines).

I haven't gave a thought that DuckDuckGo was in need of a name change. Out of curiosity, what name should DDG change to?
[doublepost=1563321391][/doublepost]

I wish DuckDuckGo's search results didn't suck.

I switched everything to DuckDuckGo more than a year ago...then while working on projects and furiously searching for answers to programming issues...I started searching Google when I couldn't find what I was looking for (often) and started finding my results immediately.

Sorry to say but I've begrudgingly switched back to Google. I don't want to use anything Google, but I cannot have my time utterly wasted with DuckDuckGo's poor search capability.

I hope they improve their algorithms and search results. My brother had the same issue as you and switched back after using DDG for 3 months since the results frustrated him.
[doublepost=1563321707][/doublepost]

https://www.startpage.com

Give Startpage a look. It gets you Google results without the Google tracking.

Does Startpage give 1:1 search results against Google?

I might give this a go instead of DuckDuckGo.

 

[Jedwardoo]

That's some mud slinging nonsense.

1 - So? Is he never allowed to run another website using another business model now? I don't think I've ever used the same business model twice. You try different stuff out and see what works and what doesn't.
2 - This isn't "a worrying lack of care". This is a single mistake they made over six years ago, and fixed within days of it being discovered. The organization can't be forgiven? Should they shut down and start a new website - that's what it takes to be forgiven? Oh wait, no, look back at #1 - he was involved in something else earlier and hasn't been forgiven for that.
3 - Their log retention policy is they don't. If the government wants to conduct surveillance, they need a warrant, and they'll only be capable of getting new searches, not the old ones, since there's no logs for those anymore.

The person tries saying, oh, move to another country. Because magically the US can't be trusted, but another country can be? Isn't the whole premise here that organizations lie? What magically compels another country to only do good things and only tell the truth?

Why didn't we dive into the backstories of the people who started the other websites?

That person clearly has an agenda. They might be trying to get you to switch to away from DuckDuckGo to one of those other three search engines they mentioned, but I'd guess it's actually a plant from Google. Mud sling at DDG so that people won't feel motivated to switch away from Google.




Google actually doesn't have squat on DuckDuckGo. I can assure you, I find what I need quickly on DDG, and when I resort to throwing a "!g" on my search, it's rare that I find better results, and I often can't find the better results that DDG gave me.

I do have experience using both search engines. Based on your post, it seems to me that you're just a pot calling the kettle black, failing to actually try out both. You, in fact, are the clueless one.

I am currently and I am still using DuckDuckGo.

Have you any experience on Startpage by any chance?