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Google Maps for iOS Gains Apple Watch App
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Kroo
Suspended
I have to disagree with you. Early days, yes, it wasn't great, but now it is better. I find google maps less reliable as its still been giving out wrong information on addresses. When I cross check with Apple maps, Apple comes out to be correct over Google.
I use to second guess Apple maps but in the past two years in hasn't been wrong, and I don't live in North America. Only problem is in my country, transit information is a dogs breakfast that not even Google has been able to nail it, but that's because we have a joke of a public transport system, you can't even trust the public transport apps put out by government bodies.
Waze = Google Maps but I agree.
Just wish Waze could provide notifications for directions and be able to cache maps like GMAPS.
cableguy84
macrumors 68000
I don't know , i suppose there isn't alot they can do with the limited screen real estate
teknikal90
macrumors 68040
OLED display conserves power when displaying black, vs any other colour.
phpmaven
macrumors 68040
If looking at your watch is enough of a distraction to cause you to run people over, you shouldn't be driving.
But this app is NOT native OS2 app! Why Google release such app weeks after OS2 is out...... Pity
andrewsipes
macrumors member
I was hoping for traffic information, which is what Google Maps is better at than Apple Maps. Otherwise, there's no point.
Is there even a Watch app that shows traffic information (not just traffic conditions when mapping a route as with Apple Maps)?
Is there even a Watch app that shows traffic information (not just traffic conditions when mapping a route as with Apple Maps)?
AFEPPL
macrumors 68030
In the same way as using a phone?
Which is proven to be more dangerous than driving drunk...
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Not a good experience so far. Gave a location services error and said to enable it on device but didn't say whether that was in Watch Settings or Phone settings. Got that resolved.
Then said, "Open Google Maps" using Siri rather than trying to find the small icon for it. It says it can't find an app on the watch called, "Google Maps" even though it's on the watch and called exactly that.
I manually opened it instead. Little slow to load but not horrible. To note opening the Apple Maps takes significantly longer since it tries to open a map of current location. Google Maps watch allows you to click on home or work without using your phone. Where is to do the same with Apple Maps you need to use Siri or your Phone. However, Siri is far easier and quicker to say tap a button and say, Directions Home, rather than saying, Clicking through the buttons to get to the app and then clicking Home.
In regards to actually driving, it's relatively worthless compared to the very helpful Apple Maps. Apple maps automatically pushes to your phone each time you glance and highlights that particular turn as well as taptic feedback most importantly and feeds the audio through the watch. On the other hand, with Google Maps on watch you have to keep opening the app again, and it simply shows the list of directions. It does highlight the current step you are on, but far less attractively and the audio still comes out of the phone in your pocket.
All in all while hard to imagine anyone choosing to use Google Maps on Apple Watch over Apple Maps. And as data gets more and more accurate (as more and more millions of users use Apple Maps) the data will only get better and eventually Google Maps will only be used by Android users on the whole and desktop.
Then said, "Open Google Maps" using Siri rather than trying to find the small icon for it. It says it can't find an app on the watch called, "Google Maps" even though it's on the watch and called exactly that.
I manually opened it instead. Little slow to load but not horrible. To note opening the Apple Maps takes significantly longer since it tries to open a map of current location. Google Maps watch allows you to click on home or work without using your phone. Where is to do the same with Apple Maps you need to use Siri or your Phone. However, Siri is far easier and quicker to say tap a button and say, Directions Home, rather than saying, Clicking through the buttons to get to the app and then clicking Home.
In regards to actually driving, it's relatively worthless compared to the very helpful Apple Maps. Apple maps automatically pushes to your phone each time you glance and highlights that particular turn as well as taptic feedback most importantly and feeds the audio through the watch. On the other hand, with Google Maps on watch you have to keep opening the app again, and it simply shows the list of directions. It does highlight the current step you are on, but far less attractively and the audio still comes out of the phone in your pocket.
All in all while hard to imagine anyone choosing to use Google Maps on Apple Watch over Apple Maps. And as data gets more and more accurate (as more and more millions of users use Apple Maps) the data will only get better and eventually Google Maps will only be used by Android users on the whole and desktop.
<Grunt> - Google Bad
<Grunt> Apple Good
I don't own an AW so it's hard for me to grab the pom poms for the predictable response on a Google/Samsung topic. So I just weighed in with the general sentiment.
<Grunt> Apple Good
I don't own an AW so it's hard for me to grab the pom poms for the predictable response on a Google/Samsung topic. So I just weighed in with the general sentiment.
Also seems to have weakened the iOS app - can't find a way to see different driving routes now. Sometimes it's useful to compare transit with driving, but if I've driven to work in the morning then I know that I'll be driving home, but I want options about which way to drive home, which I can't find on the new iOS app.
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redman042
macrumors 68040
Ok so this is not a native app, but software development related to a mainsteam app like Google Maps takes many months. Look at how long it took to put Google Maps back on the iPhone after it was booted from being a native app.
Apple Maps is improving every year, but it's not to the level of Google Maps when it comes to real-time traffic display, alternate route guidance, and POIs. I have noticed significant improvement in Apple Maps, but it's a few years out from being at Google's level. However I would not count Apple out - they are persistent and methodical.
I do like Apple Maps implementation of navigation guidance on the watch. It's pretty slick. That said, in cities I find that it's often not enough to just get "turn left"/"turn right" cues. Intersections are often not that simple. I need to look at the screen to be sure which lane/ramp to take. I'm sure anyone living in Boston would laugh at the idea of having taps on the wrist be enough information to navigate that city.
Apple Maps is improving every year, but it's not to the level of Google Maps when it comes to real-time traffic display, alternate route guidance, and POIs. I have noticed significant improvement in Apple Maps, but it's a few years out from being at Google's level. However I would not count Apple out - they are persistent and methodical.
I do like Apple Maps implementation of navigation guidance on the watch. It's pretty slick. That said, in cities I find that it's often not enough to just get "turn left"/"turn right" cues. Intersections are often not that simple. I need to look at the screen to be sure which lane/ramp to take. I'm sure anyone living in Boston would laugh at the idea of having taps on the wrist be enough information to navigate that city.
lordofthereef
macrumors G5
As a standalone, this looks bordline worthless. As a compliment to the iOS app, it makes more sense.
I agree, as a standalone Apple maps seems more useable, but are there many people looking at full maps on their tiny watch screen?
This isn't in defence of Google by the way. This app isn't enticing at all to me, but I can maybe see why they wet this route. I really dont think they expect users to be doing much map viewing on their watch when they need to be connected to a phone anyway.
I agree, as a standalone Apple maps seems more useable, but are there many people looking at full maps on their tiny watch screen?
This isn't in defence of Google by the way. This app isn't enticing at all to me, but I can maybe see why they wet this route. I really dont think they expect users to be doing much map viewing on their watch when they need to be connected to a phone anyway.
avanpelt
macrumors 68030
This still works for me. I just updated the app and on the first destination I entered, I was shown two different driving routes to said destination, with one being considerably slower than the other.
Max(IT)
Suspended
It's not 2013 anymore .... Apple Maps isn't worse than Google maps
YoungLay
macrumors regular
Waze will probably always be separate. Your average mom and pop don't want Waze directions that take them down side streets, ask them to constantly make unprotected lefts, etc. They like the conventional routes and would probably get confused if prompted to select a route with one conventional option and one fast Waze option.
But I agree -- they need a turn by turn WAZE APP IMMEDIATELY! I bet they could even charge for it. The amount of time it's saved me driving around L.A. is worth at least $19.99