Google Maps for iOS in Alpha Testing, Partial Screenshots and Details

[Zunjine]

If you could use Flyover to locate the general area then drop in to Streetview for a ground level view it would be a winner.

True - but I tend to use streetview more often for when I'm at home planning a trip. It's useful for seeing a place before you go there so you know what to look out for in the last few hundred yards. But when you're there the streetview is a bit redundant - I mean, you're seeing it now! You are your own streetview.

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Majority of users in the USA.

I'm willing to bet that there are people outside of the USA who actually find Apple's maps better. I've heard this of places in Asia. As for me in London, it's been good.

I suspect we'll get a clearer sense of this in a few months. Right now a lot of it's rumour and hearsay.

 

[samcraig]

This is kinda what I meant the other day about being a bit aggressive.

The dude made a perfectly reasonable statement that extrapolated from the initial article.

It is fair to say that it is a supposition rather than a demonstrable fact but it was based on sound reasoning - if 9/10 had "no significant problems" then it's fair to say that any problems they did have were not anything worth worrying about - literally insignificant - and that, for all reasonable purposes, they found the maps app to be acceptable (this doesn't tell us much about what they think of as significant or if they used the maps at all - there's more work needed here).

Essentially, I think his statement was sound. You seem to be splitting hairs for the sake of winning some battle or other. There's no need.

Your interpretation of my behavior doesn't take into account posting history of the person I'm responding to.

If someone consistently presents their "interpretations" as facts or, as he has done in the past, just spread FUD, then yes, I am much more likely to be more aggressive in my correction.

Threads and comments aren't posted in vacuums. And unlike too many posters here - I actually read full threads, remember what I wrote and/or what others have written.

You consider his statement reasonable. I don't. Simple as that. No battle. No one "wins" on the internet anyway

 

[linuxcooldude]

Majority of users in the USA.

Not unless they come out with a simular poll based article from outside the USA, then we can go from there.

 

[Glideslope]

Yup!

Maps placed me one section over from mine at yesterdays game.

Returning my 5 today. Simply too much stress to even keep it on me.

Thank goodness I don't live in the UK. I'd go Bonkers!

 

[samcraig]

T
Yes, I'm not arguing against that but there is a difference that is huge in my opinion: Apple main business model is to sell hardware and software. Google only business model is to sell, you know, ads and access to their database.

Seems like an obvious statement thought. Google isn't a hardware manufacturer, right? So it's not really a fair comparison, is it? And other than search, mail, etc - Google doesn't really make software. Not like Apple does.

 

[Zunjine]

Yes, I'm not arguing against that but there is a difference that is huge in my opinion: Apple main business model is to sell hardware and software. Google only business model is to sell, you know, ads and access to their database.

I think the significant differences between Google's business model and that of Apple is worth keeping in mind. It's an issue of opacity.

With Apple there's absolute clarity - I pay them substantial sums of money and they provide me with hardware and software. I am the customer and it is in Apple's best interests to keep me happy. So long as they keep me happy I will keep spending my money on their products. We both win.

But, with Google things are less clear. Yes, they need to keep me happy but they also need to keep their real customers, the advertisers, happy. That can give rise to conflicts. Where my needs as a user conflict with the needs of the real customers then Google has a tightrope to walk. In fairness, they have largely managed to do this with a great deal of skill. But when I buy from Apple I don't have that to worry about.

None of this is to say that Apple will never do something that is not in my best interests but it is to say that they have far less reason to do so than do Google or Facebook, to name but two. Amazon is another interesting player because, for their model to work, I need to keep buying their content. Apple doesn't need me to buy any iTunes or Apps for their business model to work.

MS is, in this way, closer to Apple than Google. They want to make money selling a product to consumers, like Apple do. I would feel far safer hitching my wagon to MS or Apple than to Google, Facebook or Amazon. And I say that as someone who admires all three of those companies and uses their products daily.

 

[The Phazer]

Examples? There's already been one poster from London who went on about how badly Apple Maps laid out Trafalgar Square, only to be proven wrong (or shown to be a liar) by another post, with screenshot (which I was very easily able to duplicate).

This is the same Trafalgar Square that contains dozens of shops, resteraunts and pubs in real life, except none of them exist according to Apple Maps, yes?

Or the South African High Commission. Or the bus stops.

And they're not just not picked out as POI's, they don't exist if you search for them.

 

[Zunjine]

Your interpretation of my behavior doesn't take into account posting history of the person I'm responding to.

If someone consistently presents their "interpretations" as facts or, as he has done in the past, just spread FUD, then yes, I am much more likely to be more aggressive in my correction.

Threads and comments aren't posted in vacuums. And unlike too many posters here - I actually read full threads, remember what I wrote and/or what others have written.

You consider his statement reasonable. I don't. Simple as that. No battle. No one "wins" on the internet anyway

I understand that. Don't get me wrong. It's just that you asked for examples and that seemed appropriate.

I don't think he was posting FUD but even if he was their would be little reason to be hostile. I tend to just block people who's posts wind me up. And I'm no angle, I admit, but I find it easier to stay on the path of goodness and light if I'm not assailed by the ramblings of morons. Hence, blockage of said intellectual homunculi.

 

[The Phazer]

I think the significant differences between Google's business model and that of Apple is worth keeping in mind. It's an issue of opacity.

With Apple there's absolute clarity - I pay them substantial sums of money and they provide me with hardware and software. I am the customer and it is in Apple's best interests to keep me happy. So long as they keep me happy I will keep spending my money on their products. We both win.

But, with Google things are less clear. Yes, they need to keep me happy but they also need to keep their real customers, the advertisers, happy. That can give rise to conflicts. Where my needs as a user conflict with the needs of the real customers then Google has a tightrope to walk. In fairness, they have largely managed to do this with a great deal of skill. But when I buy from Apple I don't have that to worry about.

None of this is to say that Apple will never do something that is not in my best interests but it is to say that they have far less reason to do so than do Google or Facebook, to name but two. Amazon is another interesting player because, for their model to work, I need to keep buying their content. Apple doesn't need me to buy any iTunes or Apps for their business model to work.

MS is, in this way, closer to Apple than Google. They want to make money selling a product to consumers, like Apple do. I would feel far safer hitching my wagon to MS or Apple than to Google, Facebook or Amazon. And I say that as someone who admires all three of those companies and uses their products daily.

Apple decided their own internal customers were more important than me with apps.

If Apple doesn't need me to buy any iTunes content from them, why do they block Amazon from selling me mp3s that write to the music folder from their app?

 

[samcraig]

I understand that. Don't get me wrong. It's just that you asked for examples and that seemed appropriate.

I don't think he was posting FUD but even if he was their would be little reason to be hostile. I tend to just block people who's posts wind me up. And I'm no angle, I admit, but I find it easier to stay on the path of goodness and light if I'm not assailed by the ramblings of morons. Hence, blockage of said intellectual homunculi.

Understood. Everyone responds to stimuli differently. I moderate a few forums (less lately than I have in the past) and I've notice that some people have a false sense of community on forums believing that they post in a bubble. IE - that only members or "regulars" see what they write. When in fact - the forum is probably visited by many people who don't even have accounts here but come reading for information.

My point in bringing that up is that when information is presented incorrectly (not speaking to this thread but in general) then those that miss the context or those that don't read further, more threads, etc are provided false data. And many times - that gets proliferated either to their friends, on other forums, threads, etc. This happens with both praise and criticisms.

When possible - I've always tried in my posts to be as accurate as possible (or state firmly it's my opinion only); provide links; question others to determine if what they've posted is opinion, fact or otherwise, etc. These are discussion forums. I'm engaging in discussion. Does this appear at times to be combative - no doubt. But it comes more from a place at getting to truths vs trying to win some contest.

 

[Zunjine]

This is the same Trafalgar Square that contains dozens of shops, resteraunts and pubs in real life, except none of them exist according to Apple Maps, yes?

Or the South African High Commission. Or the bus stops.

And they're not just not picked out as POI's, they don't exist if you search for them.

Imperfect though it may be, the Apple map of Trafalgar Square is pretty good. Lots of places are noted as points of interest - clearly not all of them and time will change that - and the Flyover is incredible.

I can see The National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, Yate's wine lodge, Charing Cross Station, Garrick Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket. i mean, sure, this map lacks some stuff but it's not all that bad all told.

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Apple decided their own internal customers were more important than me with apps.

If Apple doesn't need me to buy any iTunes content from them, why do they block Amazon from selling me mp3s that write to the music folder from their app?

I don't know about that. I know you can use rival services like Spotify on your iPhone though. And, of course, you could jailbreak and do what they heck you like.

The point is that if you were to jailbreak it wouldn't harm Apple's business model in any significant way - they make the vast majority of their income from selling devices. If every Apple customer jailbroke their devices Apple's income in the next quarter would be basically the same. If, however, all Android users decided to route their devices and stop using Google's services, this would hurt Google - it would essentially make Android a dead loss for them.

 

[samcraig]

If, however, all Android users decided to route their devices and stop using Google's services, this would hurt Google - it would essentially make Android a dead loss for them.

Ahhh - but interesting that they allow it, no? I mean - Apple doesn't need the other stuff - but they lock it out. Google does need it and they open up their integration to allow 3rd party apps to replace their own. I find that interesting...

 

[The Phazer]

Imperfect though it may be, the Apple map of Trafalgar Square is pretty good. Lots of places are noted as points of interest - clearly not all of them and time will change that - and the Flyover is incredible.

I can see The National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, Yate's wine lodge, Charing Cross Station, Garrick Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket. i mean, sure, this map lacks some stuff but it's not all that bad all told.

You have incredibly low standards.

A map where 90%+ of the places are missing in a given area is not "lots of places" or "not all that bad all told". It's an unmittigated complete effing disaster.

The Apple Map of Trafalgar Square is not "good". Google Maps picks out all the buildings, has accurate data to the point of picking out where in the middle of the National Gallery the resteraunt is. It shows where the fountains in the square are.

Apple Maps just has a big hole. There's not even a building where the National Gallery is.

Trafalgar Square is actually a pretty good example of how terrible Apple Maps are.

I don't know about that. I know you can use rival services like Spotify on your iPhone though.

Spotify isn't a "rival" service. It's a completely different service for doing something else.

And, of course, you could jailbreak and do what they heck you like.

Which Apple prevent to the best of their ability.

The point is that if you were to jailbreak it wouldn't harm Apple's business model in any significant way - they make the vast majority of their income from selling devices. If every Apple customer jailbroke their devices Apple's income in the next quarter would be basically the same. If, however, all Android users decided to route their devices and stop using Google's services, this would hurt Google - it would essentially make Android a dead loss for them.

Apple isn't a monolithic entity. It's a collection of teams. And yes, the iTunes team revenue would collapse if every cystomer jailbroke. It would cost Apple billions in revenue.

 

[Zunjine]

Ahhh - but interesting that they allow it, no? I mean - Apple doesn't need the other stuff - but they lock it out. Google does need it and they open up their integration to allow 3rd party apps to replace their own. I find that interesting...

Google does allow that but they know that most people won't. But Google doesn't control Android - that's the point of it. Android is basically a trojan horse but Google has lost control of it, just look at what Amazon did to them. Google was not happy about that at all.

Apple also allows many sorts of integration. Where they set limits it's because they want to ensure a consistent user experience. If you want to muck about you can jailbreak. I'm told jailbreaking is easier than routing an Android phone and you have a vibrant market of JB apps and mods.

And, if you do that, Apple doesn't suffer - not in any significant way. So it doesn't undermine their business model. That's what matters. Any deal that's not a win-win should be looked at with suspicion.

 

[dmarcoot]

Lol oh theyre samsung spies now! Its apples fault they released a half baked map not samsung

have you actually used the new map or do you just troll?

 

[kdarling]

What many people fail to see is that Google Maps is produced by ...Google. You know, that little company whose business model is to sell ads.

Apple also sells ads using our info.

Not only Google knows what I search on the web, can read my GMail e-mails, which websites I visit, what I buy online and other things such as "we absolutely need your phone number just in case you forget your e-mails password".

The iTunes walled garden not only has our credit info, phone numbers, address, know what apps and tunes we like, but we're locked into whatever apps they think are okay for us.

Perhaps most importantly, iTunes doesn't allow the user to choose devices from other makers. Google supports everybody.

This "don't be evil" company is feeding you the message that they don't do it for their personal gain but to make your "web experience and your life in general" easier while proceeding to analyse your life as if you were a commodity.

Again, ditto for Apple. Read your user agreement sometime. Being informed is much better than being randomly paranoid.

 

[samcraig]

Google does allow that but they know that most people won't. But Google doesn't control Android - that's the point of it. Android is basically a trojan horse but Google has lost control of it, just look at what Amazon did to them. Google was not happy about that at all.

Apple also allows many sorts of integration. Where they set limits it's because they want to ensure a consistent user experience. If you want to muck about you can jailbreak. I'm told jailbreaking is easier than routing an Android phone and you have a vibrant market of JB apps and mods.

And, if you do that, Apple doesn't suffer - not in any significant way. So it doesn't undermine their business model. That's what matters. Any deal that's not a win-win should be looked at with suspicion.

I disagree with your assessments.

 

[Zunjine]

I disagree with your assessments.

Good for you.

 

[mattdrat]

I cannot confirm whether or not these images are legit, but this post certainly falls inline with a source I have spoken to who works over at Google out of their London offices, who confirmed to me that Google Maps for iOS is in alpha testing currently.

I would imagine Google are going through the entire app and the Apple Developer guidelines with a fine tooth comb currently, so that Apple have no legitimate reason to reject the app from the App Store.

 

[FieldingMellish]

iTrans should have integration with your contacts, if I'm not mistakin'. The same would hold true.

That is the answer to my needs. Thanks for the tip.

 

[morespce54]

You know, I used to complain about the iOS Map at the beginning but now, not so much. It really seems to get better and better. Anyway, to each his own! But my main grip with iOS Map now, is when I do a search with Safari, any direction/address I click on just open in Google (Web) Map... How could I tell Safari to open direction/address in Map by default? Seems like a big Oups from Apple/Safari Team right now...

 

[sputnikv]

apple making their own mapping solution is the best thing that could have happened. had they stayed on with google, the features they wanted would have likely been left out. now, in order to compete, google must include turn-by turn, not just simply make an app encompassing the mobile version. it's been a rough ride sure, and it'll continue for a bit, but ultimately, this greatly benefits the user- choice and competition, and improvements

 

[rdlink]

This is the same Trafalgar Square that contains dozens of shops, resteraunts and pubs in real life, except none of them exist according to Apple Maps, yes?

Or the South African High Commission. Or the bus stops.

And they're not just not picked out as POI's, they don't exist if you search for them.

Hmmm. Interesting. California Siri must like me better than London Siri likes you...

 

[The Phazer]

Hmmm. Interesting. California Siri must like me better than London Siri likes you...

Bit of a shame that's not the South African High Commission building, isn't it?

That's not even the right street.

 

[J53119]

Google Maps certainly isn't perfect. For the last few weeks, it seems to think I-94 in Milwaukee is closed around Miller Park. Every direction request routes you off the freeway.

http://tinyurl.com/cur4qwz

No traffic issues reported. If that can happen at random in a big city, who knows what can happen elsewere! Some would say it still gets you there though.

I did submit a trouble ticket.