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

[John.B]

I understand what antitrust is, the one that doesn't understand what FTC is for is you.

Did you read the link? It's not a merger between competitors. There are no claims of price collusion between competitors. And Eric Schmidt himself claims Android phones are out-activating the iPhone 4:1, so it can't be an abuse of dominant market position. So what, exactly, is the DoJ supposed to investigate?

Do you think you can just march into any store and demand they carry your product on their shelves?

 

[ppc_michael]

As an Android user who has had access to many of these features all along, welcome to 2010.

 

[Webduo]

That's okay...

I've been very happy with Apple's maps and won't bother anymore with Google - but it will be good to keep Apple on their toes.

 

[D.T.]

Just used Apple Maps to/from Tampa (and through several neighborhoods, actually to Dunedin) from North Florida, worked outstanding. Also was able to find a terrific Mexican restaurant using Yelp + Maps.

FYI, highly recommended (check out the decor):

http://www.casatinas.com

Also used it pretty extensively on a trip a few weeks ago (before some of the more recent improvements) in DC, also worked great, even for walking navigation over in Georgetown.

Here's the difference:

Apple Maps - Great for navigating in a car and for use while driving. Turn by turn directions, in my experience, work great. Just used it for a day trip in Poland and was very impressed.

Google Maps - A necessity for urban living. Much, much easier to locate businesses without an address, it has walking and transit directions.

I've found Apple Maps nearly useless for navigating a city (turn by turn directions do nothing for me as a pedestrian or transit rider), while Apple Maps have yet to fail me when driving somewhere.

Ultimately, I think it's mostly urban dwellers who are screaming about it and those who mostly drive don't have much of a problem or prefer the change.

As I generally fall into the former category, I'm very much looking forward to the Google Maps release.

Good post, interesting perspective on the different usage models.

 

[John.B]

No one has selective amnesia. They just have a different opinion than yours as to the quality of Apple Maps vs Google Maps to date.

Then Google already has you covered. It's all in there: maps.google.com

 

[S.B.G]

I guess my big question for the Google Maps iOS app is, will it also include turn-by-turn? I would definitely like to see that feature included.

 

[Oletros]

Did you read the link? It's not a merger between competitors. There are no claims of price collusion between competitors. And Eric Schmidt himself claims Android phones are out-activating the iPhone 4:1, so it can't be an abuse of dominant market position. So what, exactly, is the DoJ supposed to investigate?

Do you think you can just march into any store and demand they carry your product on their shelves?

Tell that to the FTC and its inquiry about Google Voice in 2.011

Please, at least try to know a little before calling others ignorants when the one that doesn't know what is talking about is you.

 

[bnine]

Oh yeah,
Is it the same Google, that was partnering with Apple on initial iPhone release? Or wasn't it that Apple that came up with an idea of having maps on mobile phone?

The difference is that Apple did not go to a search business and did not try to sell ads on android devices. Google was brought to this market by Apple and then rejected on any improvements without more their branding and ads.

Now we know that original app was written in just 2 weeks by apple engineers. Also we know that Apple is trying to remap entire world in half a year and Google can't produce any simple clients to an existing mapping solution.

What i see is Apple licensing OSM with amazing TOMTOM's nav quality and their own ability to display data. And... no ads, no making money on you AFTER you paid for the device.

After a year, that android users will cry for Apple maps.

 

[ElijahWood]

This map fiasco has convinced me that Apple is on a downward spiral. You are right that Apple has shown it was only concerned with hurting Google and didn't care one bit what problems it created for its own users.

If Apple cared at all in the post-Jobs era about its user experience, it would at a minimum have kept its previous mapping app as an optional download. That would at least have provided an option to avoid a hugely degraded experience for its own users, and forced its own mapping team to have some competition. Instead, it showed that it cared only about its corporate strategies and caved to its product managers who didn't want competition. It has shown its users that it is willing to pull the rug out from under them at any time to do this, so anyone with a brain has been warned.

Frankly, the new Apple maps are worse then just bad, and have sold out to the worst of local advertising, such as the numerous Yelp links. I'm currently in London, and the Apple map doesn't even show Trafalgar Square, but instead shows hundreds of completely unreliable Yelp links to stores that are of no relevance. Every other major landmark is also missing (presumably not commercial enough), and that is just one of a million problems. Calling it a fail is too generous.

Meh, I disagree. Sure Apple wants to take Android down, but they had the consumer at heart. They are trying to provide the best user experience they can. Google wouldn't budge on vector or turn by turn so they had no option. Of course it's not going to be perfect right away. Now as a result, Google is going to release an updated Maps app? Looks like it's a win win for the consumer. I think it was a well played "corporate strategy" if you ask me.

 

[John.B]

I'm still calling this nothing but a hoax. This isn't Google's Maps app.

Uhh, I feel like this guy is just trying to get advertising for his own map app. The weirdly taken pictures and the blatant advertising on his own post stick out to me too much. Anyone could have made a screenshot in photoshop (it looks like Maps on Android), loaded it on their iPhone and taken ultra close-up shots of it and posted it to their blog. Is there a reason we should trust this guy?

And check this out: why would he block out the battery percentage in one shot but not the other? I'll tell you: to make it seem "more legit". Also, the map is in the same placement in all the pictures, an indicator (but not proof) that this is just one screenshot he made himself. This guy just wants more hits for his own app.
Image

I couldn't agree more.

And MR links to it to generate their own ad views. Just another crazy day in Rumorland.

 

[Oletros]

Also we know that Apple is trying to remap entire world in half a year

You're joking, don't you?

 

[samcraig]

Then Google already has you covered. It's all in there: maps.google.com

You realize that doesn't solve the Map Kit issue, right?

 

[John.B]

Tell that to the FTC and its inquiry about Google Voice in 2.011

What's next? Do Ford dealers have to start stocking Chevys on their lots?

Please, at least try to know a little before calling others ignorants when the one that doesn't know what is talking about is you.

I don't believe I used that word. In fact, I believe the only person who used that word was you. Anything you can do to keep from discussing the topic at hand, I guess.

 

[Bluethree]

This just shows that Apple did the right thing.

If they had stuck with the old, outdated Maps app, iOS users would still be stuck without turn-by-turn and vector graphics.

Now we will be spoiled for choice. Apple Maps will continue to get better, and if for some reason it continues to bother you, there's going to be choice. There are benefits to having so many choices for apps...it's still Apple's greatest advantage.

Priceless

 

[SlasherDuff]

Thank you Google

 

[Oletros]

I don't believe I used that word. In fact, I believe the only person who used that word was you. Anything you can do to keep from discussing the topic at hand, I guess.

Yes, you implied that when you said that I don't understand and I need to read.. You do that whenever don't agree with you.

 

[george-brooks]

A heartbeat download for me.

What I used a lot in Google maps was this process 1.) spotting a destination in Manhattan, 2.) seeing what the closest subway stop was to that destination; 3.) contrasted with what stop was closest to where I was standing, then 4.) figuring out what subway line would get me there; if not direct, then with the least amount of transfers. All that was gone with Apple's map. It had no subway stops no matter how closely you zoomed in.

Yes, this is about the only thing I used Maps for as a New Yorker, and it is the only feature I miss from Google Maps (well, and street view a little bit). Now I just use iTrans and it works better for what you have described much better than Google Maps ever did. It has diagrams of the stations overlaid on all of the maps so you can see exactly where the entrances and exits are.

Since I have iTrans I will probably not end up getting google maps. I don't need a THIRD maps app. Though I wish apple would eventually integrate transit info.

 

[lunaoso]

What the?!? Haha I guess you haven't seen the pictures and all the media attention it got because ITS TERRIBLE!

This is what I'm talking about. Have you personally had any problem with it? Did you see the study that 9/10 people have no problem with iOS maps. If you have had a problem with it then ok, you have reason complain. If you haven't then you don't. Its as simple as that. And yes I have seen pictures, and the parts that are messed up are bad, but I don't live anywhere near there, so for my use its fine.

 

[John.B]

You're joking, don't you?

Yes, you implied that when you said that I don't understand and I need to read.. You do that whenever don't agree with you.

Grammar much?

Not that I care, but you brought it up.

 

[zbarvian]

Yes but will it have turn-by-turn? Even so, Apple will still have an advantage due to its integration.

 

[lunaoso]

Here's the difference:

Apple Maps - Great for navigating in a car and for use while driving. Turn by turn directions, in my experience, work great. Just used it for a day trip in Poland and was very impressed.

Google Maps - A necessity for urban living. Much, much easier to locate businesses without an address, it has walking and transit directions.

I've found Apple Maps nearly useless for navigating a city (turn by turn directions do nothing for me as a pedestrian or transit rider), while Apple Maps have yet to fail me when driving somewhere.

Ultimately, I think it's mostly urban dwellers who are screaming about it and those who mostly drive don't have much of a problem or prefer the change.

As I generally fall into the former category, I'm very much looking forward to the Google Maps release.

Yes and I agree with that. And I don't live in an area like that so it doesn't affect me. Its just the people that are moaning and groaning about how bad maps are when they haven't had one problem with them annoy me.

 

[John.B]

This is what I'm talking about. Have you personally had any problem with it? Did you see the study that 9/10 people have no problem with iOS maps. If you have had a problem with it then ok, you have reason complain. If you haven't then you don't. Its as simple as that. And yes I have seen pictures, and the parts that are messed up are bad, but I don't live anywhere near there, so for my use its fine.

The Android crowd really needs for this to be a disaster for Apple. I mean really needs it. So we get a daily dust-up over Apple Maps by strays from the Android forums pretending to be outraged iPhone users. Sure, I'm sure there are a few users legitimately upset, but this seems to be more about trolling than anything else. And page views, we can't forget page views...

Yes and I agree with that. And I don't live in an area like that so it doesn't affect me. Its just the people that are moaning and groaning about how bad maps are when they haven't had one problem with them annoy me.

This. They get the same basic functionality from maps.google.com that they had with the old Maps app, but they p*** and moan just the same. But it's convenient to overlook what the old app lacked, I guess.

 

[mrr]

Actually, the more that I use Apple Maps, the more I like it!

In fact, I stopped using Navigon on my iPhone because it is easier to input addresses and start navigation.

 

[samcraig]

The Android crowd really needs for this to be a disaster for Apple. I mean really needs it. So we get a daily dust-up over Apple Maps by strays from the Android forums pretending to be outraged iPhone users. Sure, I'm sure there are a few users legitimately upset, but this seems to be more about trolling than anything else. And page views, we can't forget page views...



This.

Or it's an actual problem. You know - since the CEO of Apple even admitted it was a problem. Why so angry or bitter against those that aren't having the same use case/experience as you? And before you say you aren't or don't - I'll remind you that you've gone that "extra" mile by putting the link to google maps in your signature. That pretty much says it all.

 

[rok4u2]

Frankly, the new Apple maps are worse then just bad, and have sold out to the worst of local advertising, such as the numerous Yelp links. I'm currently in London, and the Apple map doesn't even show Trafalgar Square, but instead shows hundreds of completely unreliable Yelp links to stores that are of no relevance. Every other major landmark is also missing (presumably not commercial enough), and that is just one of a million problems. Calling it a fail is too generous.

there you go ... and The Monument, The Albert Memorial, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace and Battersea Power Station, the first 5 major landmarks that I thought of, are all there too - give me a shout if you need any more help.