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Google Has Not Yet Submitted a Google Maps App to Apple [Update]
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Where are all the people complaining that the old maps did NOT have turn-by-turn navigation?
The old maps were missing turn-by-turn navigation... but they had good data.
The new maps have turn-by-turn navigation... but don't have good data.
It's certainly a case of "you can't win 'em all"
Interesting! I live in Manchester/UK and using the third gen iPad. So far Apple maps is crisp and lot more up to date then google maps on my iPhone!!
Too much speculation, not enough facts. Leaving aside Apple-fanboyism and Apple Kool-Aid consumers, has anyone else noticed that most of the negative press is coming from those who have an irrational and rabid dislike (nay, hatred) of all Apple products. Apple has shortcomings, and has produced some right lemons in the past, but if it didn't have the guts to present its vision through its products, where would we be today?
So far, we know that Apple & Google failed to extend their license agreement allowing Apple to use Google Maps, especially for turn-by-turn (Google's hands may be tied on this, or Google prefers to keep turn-by-turn for Android).
My own speculations: Negotiations to extend licensing agreements will have started at least two years ago, and Google could have strategised and presented unacceptable terms, forcing Apple to dump the Maps app so that Google could fill the hole. Apple called Google's bluff and by creating (buying) its own maps solution, the whole thing backfired on Google.
Googorola/Nokia may well make fun of Apple now, but they'll only get away with it because most people are ignorant of the same problems appearing in Google Maps, albeit on a smaller scale. It took Google many years to get where it is today but being ancient myself, I can remember all the crappy satellite images in Google maps.
Apple had no choice but to include the Maps app in iOS6 or risk even bigger backlash. All software developers work with their users to improve their applications, and that is all Apple has done. Even if Apple extended the development timeline by an additional two years, the app would still need further development and refining.
iOS users were chomping at the bit for Apple to introduce turn-by-turn, but there was essentially no way for Apple to do this whilst using Google's maps, so Apple had a number of choices:
- buy out an existing navigation app;
- forgo turn-by-turn; or
- develop its own version of Google Maps.
Apple chose the last option. My own wish was for Apple to tie Nokia into a licensing agreement in perpetuity allowing Apple to use Nokia maps at a low fee -- whether that opportunity arose or discussion took place during the licensing negotiations, we'll never know.
Apple's chosen path means that it will become totally independent as far as mapping is concerned. Apple has a history of taking something and improving upon it, and I'm sure it won't want to screw around with its user-base, nor lose the market share it has.
Those waiting for Google to produce its own Maps app for iOS may wait forever:
- Apple's developer T&Cs don't allow for duplicating built-in apps;
- Apple wants to provide its own app otherwise why spend all that money?
- Apple could have dumped Maps & allowed Google to produce an app as has happened with YouTube. As mentioned above, there is a lot of speculation about Google's turn-by-turn function: Google is not going to want to produce an app that doesn't include turn-by-turn, whether by choice or limitations from licensing agreements it has entered into (contrary to popular belief, Google does not own all the tech that goes into producing mapping solutions) as the lack of turn-by-turn will have a negative impact on Google.
To me, this isn't a "suck it up" gesture from Apple -- I think Apple is trying to develop a solution which benefits both Apple and its users. Two or three years down the road, most people won't even remember all the hot air that's being generated right now.
So far, we know that Apple & Google failed to extend their license agreement allowing Apple to use Google Maps, especially for turn-by-turn (Google's hands may be tied on this, or Google prefers to keep turn-by-turn for Android).
My own speculations: Negotiations to extend licensing agreements will have started at least two years ago, and Google could have strategised and presented unacceptable terms, forcing Apple to dump the Maps app so that Google could fill the hole. Apple called Google's bluff and by creating (buying) its own maps solution, the whole thing backfired on Google.
Googorola/Nokia may well make fun of Apple now, but they'll only get away with it because most people are ignorant of the same problems appearing in Google Maps, albeit on a smaller scale. It took Google many years to get where it is today but being ancient myself, I can remember all the crappy satellite images in Google maps.
Apple had no choice but to include the Maps app in iOS6 or risk even bigger backlash. All software developers work with their users to improve their applications, and that is all Apple has done. Even if Apple extended the development timeline by an additional two years, the app would still need further development and refining.
iOS users were chomping at the bit for Apple to introduce turn-by-turn, but there was essentially no way for Apple to do this whilst using Google's maps, so Apple had a number of choices:
- buy out an existing navigation app;
- forgo turn-by-turn; or
- develop its own version of Google Maps.
Apple chose the last option. My own wish was for Apple to tie Nokia into a licensing agreement in perpetuity allowing Apple to use Nokia maps at a low fee -- whether that opportunity arose or discussion took place during the licensing negotiations, we'll never know.
Apple's chosen path means that it will become totally independent as far as mapping is concerned. Apple has a history of taking something and improving upon it, and I'm sure it won't want to screw around with its user-base, nor lose the market share it has.
Those waiting for Google to produce its own Maps app for iOS may wait forever:
- Apple's developer T&Cs don't allow for duplicating built-in apps;
- Apple wants to provide its own app otherwise why spend all that money?
- Apple could have dumped Maps & allowed Google to produce an app as has happened with YouTube. As mentioned above, there is a lot of speculation about Google's turn-by-turn function: Google is not going to want to produce an app that doesn't include turn-by-turn, whether by choice or limitations from licensing agreements it has entered into (contrary to popular belief, Google does not own all the tech that goes into producing mapping solutions) as the lack of turn-by-turn will have a negative impact on Google.
To me, this isn't a "suck it up" gesture from Apple -- I think Apple is trying to develop a solution which benefits both Apple and its users. Two or three years down the road, most people won't even remember all the hot air that's being generated right now.
Not really, you can be here for 20 years and still be a troll.
Maybe he recreated his account and thats why it looks like he is a newbie
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I'd imagine that in the long run it would have still been more beneficial for Apple to continue paying the maps license.
I really do wonder why people are having all these difficulties, when I have had none of them. The only issue that I have had is sometimes Wi-Fi is a little bit slow on the 5 GHz band. I have switched to 2.4 GHz for now and it works fine. I'm sure the 5 GHz band will be fixed eventually on the iPhone 5.
Sorry to hop in on your argument here but have you considered the possibility that just because it works in your area, it doesnt mean it works everywhere else.
Man...sarcasm.
Why is it so hard for people to realize that Japan got massively screwed over? I wrote a post that I don't care to regurgitate, but the gist is that pretty everything good is gone and no features were added. TomTom is focused on the West, so Apple only has third-rate data here. No public transit in Japan is like no car transport in the US. Most locations are suspicious.
And maps are very important here. The indecipherability of Japan's addressing system is why they had top-notch car navigation systems long before anyone else. It's standard on all cars and indispensable on all phones.
I mean, even the NYT is reporting on people here in Japan are searching out any alternative, including garbage like Mapion (computer screenshot, but the app is basically the same):
And even for that it's only replacing basic search; it has no directions.
And yes, I can only speak anecdotally of my tech-savvy friends who are not representative, but several of them are considering Android at this point. I canceled my iPhone 5 order because I don't want to be locked into a carrier for two years with a non-functional map. Hopefully Apple gets their act together, because I really don't want to change platforms.
The maps are rubbish for the West Midlands. Loads of towns aren't even labelled and most of the ones that are in the wrong place. Dudley is 7 miles from where it should be and in the wrong county but they have managed to get Birmingham right.
Apple will never allow google maps back on, you guys are dreaming. Give it a rest. Or buy a droid.
I stopped using google maps ever since "Maps+" and "Galileo Offline Maps" came out. They are way better. Maps+ uses google data and Galileo uses OpenStreetMap (also used by apple maps).
You guys should give it a try!
You guys should give it a try!
2-3 years is a long time for some/many to wait for an app they rely/want/need.
It's a lot to ask of customers.
And people may or may not remember Google Maps for what it was - but that's irrelevant now because the point is - no one wants to regress in their software - everyone wants progress. And iOS 6 maps is a regression. That's a big reason why people are pissed. And rightfully so if they rely on accurate mapping data.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see some ads very soon from Motorola and/or Samsung that focus on maps. No doubt some posters in here will get their panties in a twist about it too.
As would I; however, in doing that Google does nothing more than give Apple more money and make the customer's pay for Apple's cock up.
Excellent question! Until you can come up with something that shows he's contradicting himself, please refrain from responding.
Fundamentally the credibility of Apple maps is shot
It doesnt matter if it works fine for some - the press and the reaction means that it is effectively dead on arrival
Apple should issue an update to iOS6 pulling Apple maps and reinstating Google - yes its humiliating, but it would stop the running sore.
Quick decisive action, not spin nor denial
This is perhaps the first moment in the post Jobs era for Tim Cook to step up and provide decisive leadership - issue an apology and fix it whatever it costs. Otherwise it smacks of appalling arrogance and a suggestion that outside the US the map may as well say "here be dragons"
BTW - I suspect we've got more chance of this happening that if Jobs was still alive - the RDF would be on full blast
It doesnt matter if it works fine for some - the press and the reaction means that it is effectively dead on arrival
Apple should issue an update to iOS6 pulling Apple maps and reinstating Google - yes its humiliating, but it would stop the running sore.
Quick decisive action, not spin nor denial
This is perhaps the first moment in the post Jobs era for Tim Cook to step up and provide decisive leadership - issue an apology and fix it whatever it costs. Otherwise it smacks of appalling arrogance and a suggestion that outside the US the map may as well say "here be dragons"
BTW - I suspect we've got more chance of this happening that if Jobs was still alive - the RDF would be on full blast
Thats because England Universities are pushing OpenStreetMaps which distributes free geospatial data over Google Propriety Maps data.
I personally think Apple is in the right direction. OpenStreetMaps is becoming the Wikipedia of Maps and will eventually supersede Google Maps data.
It's open, its free, being accepted by universities, and now a lot of companies are coming on board that does not want to pay license fees to Google for map data.
Yes. I used it. It's not just 'crap but works most of the time' - it's useless.
90% plus of the POIs in my major UK city are wrong. Only 1 in 10 of the POIs on Google Maps is even there. Swindon Town FC is in an outer suburb of Bristol. The search is so rudimentary that you type in a building you're stood right next to that you know is on the map and you're whisked away to something 200 miles away.
It's not beta. It's not alpha. It's a failed project that should go the way of Ping right now.
People keep talking about Apple using Open Maps. Are they really doing this? I have a simple Open Maps app which shows pretty much all the major POIs that Google does. How come Apple Maps doesn't?
But if you read the biog its clear that in Jobs world everything that he disliked was "insanely wrong" until it wasnt - then he'd champion it as if it was his idea all along.
This would mainly be restricted to internal Apple debates.
Jobs was a deeply dysfunctional person - there were many benefits to this from a business perspective but his childishness, petulance and stubborn nature were not positive attributes from the perspective of being a functional human being. Of course he paid for this in the end re not getting prompt treatment for his cancer, preferring some "hippy ****" alternative therapy. Harsh but true!
Not much of a choice sorry. "Either you upgrade and lose Google Maps, or you don't and lose every other new feature of iOS 6, every future security fixes and every app that uses the new APIs not related to mapping".
If all iOS 6 had been was a Map app, you'd have a point. That's not exactly what it is though.
And then what about the "not so savvy" people ? Those who were fed "It just works!" all their Apple using life ? Was it their choice too ?
You let Apple off the hook like that. Defending the indefensible.
What is a likely scenario is this:
Apple no longer wanted to rely on Google for their mapping solution. Whether it had anything to do with Android is conjecture. It could just be Apple's desire to be more self reliant.
The acquisitions involved in Maps happened while Steve was very much alive - so it's a good guess that he was involved in the development of the Apps "project" - Even so far as to the target release date.
What Steve wasn't around for was the ultimate execution/final leg of the release cycle of Maps. If he was - it would have been interesting to see if it would still have been released with this OS, during an upgrade or if he would have locked the crew (and hired more) to get the app in much better shape before this release.
And I would have been very curious to see how he would spin the situation today - if he could at all.
I'm pretty sure there are people that use maps everyday and it plays a key role in their daily lives, but you also have to realise that while a big letdown it's not enough to switch to android for most people. It's a joke really.
Here in the Northeast, Apple Maps seems pretty great.
Having said that, I do live in a very populous area of the USA. I do not use public transportation and most of my map needs are pretty innocuous. Maps did help me find a oil change place in an new town.
Having said that, I do live in a very populous area of the USA. I do not use public transportation and most of my map needs are pretty innocuous. Maps did help me find a oil change place in an new town.