Google Has Not Yet Submitted a Google Maps App to Apple [Update]

[d21mike]

How is the new maps superior? When used for navigation (as many have reported) the location is miles off or not even on a road. We are talking about today's problem - not tomorrow's potential. As launched/forced upon with the iPhone 5 - Apple's maps is a problem.

It's ok to admit that it's a problem. It's also more than ok to admit that YOUR use case has been unaffected but that it's unfortunate that OTHERS are having problems and/or issues with Apple maps. It won't make you a bad guy. Apple won't come over and steal your stuff. And more importantly - it might make you appear as if you understand that your use case does not equate to the entire worlds.

And neither does yours. I have spent the last few months using the New Maps App (was part of the beta program). I have tested the Navigation against the one in my car and also against my Navigon App. And it has been flawless in my area. Of course I have not traveled the world testing every location but I never said I did. Just that my testing and others that I know in other parts of the US agree that this new Maps App is far superior to the prior Maps App "as it relates to Turn by Turn Navigation". I agree that some areas are having problems but you should agree that my area can not be the only place in the US and beyond that is not having problems. I am in Souther California and my daughter is in Miami Florida. Both of us are not having problems. Like you have read that other locations are having problems I have read that other locations are not. Maybe not as wide spread as you think, and maybe more then I think. Time will tell. But again, I expect this will be old news in a few months.

 

[tbrinkma]

one of the reasons the maps app that remained largely unchanged was just like the youtube app. it's apple that didn't update, not google. see google maps on android.

The reason the old Maps app never changed was directly related to the license attached to Google's Maps API. That license didn't allow many of the features which are now considered 'basic', such as turn-by-turn. (The Maps API license is publicly available, and has been discussed in earlier threads.)

All those neat features that the official, Google-crafted, Android app had? Those were there because Google doesn't need to follow their own license terms to use their own software. To provide a competitive app, Apple *had* to stop using Google Maps.

The rough spots we're seeing with the new Maps app is all data related, and seems about on par with how Google Maps was when it was released (maybe a tad better, but not much). At the same time, the Apple data includes things that Google Maps didn't include at launch.

This is simply a case of raised expectations. First because we've been exposed to the Google Maps app, which, over the years, has gotten quite good. Second, because people, for some reason, expect Apple to be virtually perfect. (They're not. They never have been. But they do tend to be above average in the polish department.)

I don't use the Maps app a lot personally, but I've played with it a bit since the release, and (at least in my area) it seems good enough to use. Obviously, I can't speak for everyone, but then neither can those who *are* seeing issues.

 

[everything-i]

Well, there are two party false assumptions in this.

First, most of the people in this discussion are vastly underestimating the negative impact Apple Maps have worldwide. Parts of the USA may be ok, some maybe even better than Google Maps, but other countries are a disaster. People all around the world who used to depend on Google Maps on their iPhones will have a very tough time ahead of them.

Second, iOS does not have the same market presence worldwide as it has in the US. Therefore, a lot of US Apple fans assume, based on what they see in the US, that Google should strive to "convert" iOS users to Android. But worldwide, the situation is much different, as there are millions (billions) of users still using featurephones. And those are the ones that both Apple and Google are targeting the most. And when those millions of people will choose their first smartphone, they want one which has all the functionality they expect, including maps that cover their countries. And guess which one they will choose when they compare iOS and Android? The amount of users Google can gain this way (by maybe not releasing a iOS app) is much much bigger than what they can gain from current iOS users.

No false assumptions, I'm talking about current user base if you read my comment. There are hundreds of millions of iOS 6 devices already out there and Google is loosing all of these by not introducing an app. Android phones will be sold regardless and many of the users you are talking about will have no choice but Android because Apple don't make phones for niche or cheaper market sectors. In a year or two Apple maps will have closed the gap and no longer be as big a differentiator. I have no doubt Google will introduce an app sooner or later because they need the data to make money. Google doesn't care if your using Android or not as long as your using their search because that's where they make the money. My contention was that an app released sooner will have far better market penetration.

Also you seem to suggest that I am from the US, I'm not, and Apple maps are even worse here in the UK than they are in the states. Is it turning people here against Apple, maybe, maybe not but there were still hordes of people outside the store on Regent Street in London desperate to get the new phone. Apples own maps are I think a strategic move for the long game and we will just have to wait and see how it plays out.

 

[tbrinkma]

And there are other people using it who say it doesn't work properly. The app has got promise but Apple need to fix the core mapping data for everyone before you can say "it works".

If that's the criteria for "it works", then we can't say that about Google Maps either, because they have issues in a variety of places as well. The nice thing about data issues like this is that it can be fixed transparently, without requiring an update of the software.

 

[nikomakhos]

I am in Souther California and my daughter is in Miami Florida. Both of us are not having problems. Like you have read that other locations are having problems I have read that other locations are not. Maybe not as wide spread as you think, and maybe more then I think. Time will tell. But again, I expect this will be old news in a few months.

It's good to hear that it's working for you, but that doesn't make this a good service. Let's say all of USA, Canada and Europe would have quality maps in the new Maps app. (And as someone from Europe I can thell you that they are far from it.) Even that would not make it a good product as this is a global mapping service. Google Maps had great up-to-date maps of pretty much the whole planet, as Apple Maps seems to have good maps in the USA and some other selected places. This is because 1) Apple is cheap and they bought old outdated maps for many parts of the world and 2) the maps are computer generated, where as Google's maps are mostly done by hand.

If Apple will hire a few 1000 workers to fix the maps now, they may have a good product a few years from now, but I doubt they will do this. People are still buying their phones as fast as they can make them, so why make it any better? It's not like they are loosing any money.

 

[tbrinkma]

You are in the minority.

Is he? Or are you part of a vocal minority?

It's really hard to tell which is the case by reading internet forums, because people without problems have little reason to even *read* these threads, much less post in them. (Except out of frustration at all of the exaggerated generalizations being tossed about.)

 

[Macist]

That is not correct.

• Vector Maps
• Flyover - 3D Buildings
• Turn by turn navigation with speech
• In-App feedback

None of those features were part of the app that was already in place.

The app itself is more advanced than the old app. The data in the cloud is where the problems are, and that means they can be fixed without users having to update the app.

The vector maps are nice but who cares if the app is 90% non functional for many people?

Flyover is a pointless party trick. It doesn't even have wow factor as most buildings are like they've been hit by an earthquake and look stupid. Waste of time.

Turn by turn navigation. Who cares if the app has been trashed? iPhone 4 and 3GS users don't even get this feature, even though there are dozens of great turn-by-turn navigation apps in the App store.

In app feedback? What's that? The ability to tell Apple 99.% of POIs are somewhat or completely wrong? That's a FEATURE?

People defending this horror show must be on iPills.

I think this will be a wake-up call. Once people realise that they don't have good mapping on their smartphone they'll stop buying iPhone 5 and so they should. Apple needs a flop or two to keep them grounded.

 

[Nightarchaon]

Ultimately ill stick to what ive been using all along, The Navigon App on my 1st gen iPad, its a huge screen, has GPS (i have the 3G iPad that has full GPS) , id rather have dedicated, purchased satnav software than use either google or apples solutions, Google has failed to get me from Manchester to where i needed to be in and around London on several occasions and i suspect apples solution wont fair much better.

Its the old addage, you get what you pay for, and a free app is worth squat if you want something that works.(not that all paid apps work either)

 

[CaryMacGuy]

I am not sure what all the hooplah is about regarding Maps...I really like it...sure I wouldn't mind having the street view but I imagine that will come in time. I just used it successfully to drive from Baltimore to North Carolina. I think it looks really nice. Also this is a small thing but I kind of like that the state route indicators use the same shape that you would see on the freeway signs.

 

[Will do good]

Lets look at this logically, bear with me.

You download a google app (for arguments sake, lets say you download Google Earth to your iPhone).

What information are Google selling there? Bearing in mind that they cant collect any personal info from your phone as it's not only blocked, but would get flagged when Apple review the app, so the only info they have access to is whatever you write in the app, plus your location (again, if you allow it).

So here's what info they get in this example:
- Your Location
- Your IP

Now, lets say they use that to show ads for a local business, how exactly is that detrimental to your life?

Sorry, I have to ask this because we get some crazy people here who have it in their heads that Google is farming out your personal details to crap loads of dodgy 3rd parties, when in fact Google dont actually pass any data outside - why would they need to? All they need is your location and then it'll serve Google Ads.

and FYI, iAds does the exact same thing.

Nope, they don't collect all your favorites, your keyword search, your food of choice so they can sell them to advertiser to target you. No Google is doing all that free service just to be nice.

 

[samcraig]

Nope, they don't collect all your favorites, your keyword search, your food of choice so they can sell them to advertiser to target you. No Google is doing all that free service just to be nice.

Google's privacy policy is not all that much different than Apple's. So what's your problem? Or better yet - where are you getting your misguided information. Do you have a link? Some evidence? Anything?

 

[KnightWRX]

Nope, they don't collect all your favorites, your keyword search, your food of choice so they can sell them to advertiser to target you. No Google is doing all that free service just to be nice.

No, in fact, they don't collect the info so they can sell it to advertisers. Advertisers never get the information. Advertisers submit ads, Google targets them to you.

Google does not sell the info, that's their precious money maker. Your information does not leave Google, don't worry.

 

[uknowimright]

it's sad how many times it has to be explained how Google handle your info

 

[samcraig]

No, in fact, they don't collect the info so they can sell it to advertisers. Advertisers never get the information. Advertisers submit ads, Google targets them to you.

Google does not sell the info, that's their precious money maker. Your information does not leave Google, don't worry.

it's sad how many times it has to be explained how Google handle your info

You mean after it's already been explained specifically to him too and yet he still posts the same FUD?

 

[marioguarneros]

Can't everyone that keep claiming that having a Google Map app in iOS is crucial just use and home bookmark the one through the web? It gives directions too. Heck even my wife that is a pen and paper kind of girl managed to bookmark it and get us from "A" to "B" on her new iPhone 5.

In the meantime who in their right mind can expect that the Apple Maps app version 1.0 be as good as the one that has been worked on for over 7 years?

For me a maps app is not a deal breaker and I am looking forward to what Apple will bring to the table in the upcoming years and in the mean time I will use Google's map web app whenever I need to.

The way I see it having two companies trying to build the beat app can only be beneficial for us customers or what? Have you forgotten how comfortably outdated and sucky the iOS version of Google maps was compared to the Google offerings in other platforms?

Selective amnesia seems to be a common decease amongst whiners.

 

[KnightWRX]

In the meantime who in their right mind can expect that the Apple Maps app version 1.0 be as good as the one that has been worked on for over 7 years?

Wait, are you saying Apple is not in their right mind ? Because they're claiming that this is "the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."

...

Are you saying Apple is insane ?

 

[roxxette]

KnightWRX i do think the shark have been jumped with the apple maps.

 

[marioguarneros]

Wait, are you saying Apple is not in their right mind ? Because they're claiming that this is "the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."

...

Are you saying Apple is insane ?

I don't see them claiming it is the most accurate map solution so they are not lying.

The app is beautiful and the foundation of it is indeed powerful so if you knew how to read properly instead of trying to spin everyone's opinions to favour your own you would actually expand your understanding of things instead you have chosen to be stuck in your own perception of reality.

 

[uknowimright]

You mean after it's already been explained specifically to him too and yet he still posts the same FUD?

dang, even more sad

 

[thasan]

If I were Google, I'd not submit any app at all.

screw apple?
in return, i hope the default search engine in all idevices is changed to bing (which is pretty good now)

 

[iOSOS]

Think of it this way... If people start jumping ship on iOS because the maps sucks, Google might win a few extra Android sales. They really have no reason to make an maps app for iOS. What benefit would they have?

Google is always going to develop apps for iOS. The big reason behind Android was to reach a mass market. It's better to have apps on phones from every company than just Apple. That said there is a huge market to earn advertising money with iOS. That's the reason why Apple ditched Google Maps since Google intended to have ads on maps.

Apple is in one hand freeloading on Android users with Yelp intergration. That's why they didn't bought yelp and instead struck a deal. Apple would have removed Yelp on Android. Right now, an android user can use Yelp and contribute to Apple Maps listings.

 

[TheRainKing]

The (perhaps) ironic thing in this thread is that people who are demanding more from Apple will be labeled as haters by some vs the ones that don't expect more/better from Apple are the "fans."

This simply doesn't compute.

Very good point. I've never understood why we're not allowed to criticise Apple when they let us down.

I wouldn't expect Google Maps to be released on the app store. Google know that Apple's map app is **** and its making Apple look bad. Why would they help them?

 

[mrsir2009]

In Japan at least, there's very little data, even less accurate data, and fuzzy satellite imagery. It's pretty bad.

Japan? But that's not the great U.S of A, so it doesn't matter

 

[gotluck]

no google maps = no ios 6 'upgrade' for me

I'm sad

 

[topmounter]

Thankfully I've been on vacation and haven't had a chance to "upgrade" to the IOS6 train wreck (it looked pretty thin on compelling new features anyway)... fortunately I can just wait patiently until Google gets their app submitted and approved.