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

[i0Nic]

Reminds me of the blurry images that came out when the Apple Maps app was leaked.

 

[OneNature]

iOS6 Maps has worked perfectly for me as well

I just drove 12,642mi cross country (2x) using the iOS6 maps app on the iPad as my only source of directions, and didn't have a single issue. I really expected chaos, but it's been fine. Doubt I'll bother with a second Maps app.

Google has given me wrong directions to retreat sites. To my surprise, My new iOS6 maps got the directions right to these relatively remote places!

Won't need Google Maps in my iPhone.

 

[robjulo]

I just drove 12,642mi cross country (2x) using the iOS6 maps app on the iPad as my only source of directions, and didn't have a single issue. I really expected chaos, but it's been fine. Doubt I'll bother with a second Maps app.

And on the flip side, my wife drove 20 miles up the road using iOS6 and it took her to the wrong address. A business on a very busy road in a fairly large city. Had to pull up google maps and give her turn by turn over the phone.

IOS6 maps are 0 for 1 at my house.

 

[snowcrash]

Personal experience for me with Apple Maps vs Google Maps is I'm not going to bother to download Google. For what I use it for and the few times I actually need maps, Apple has been spot on.

 

[John.B]

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?

Because I'm not buying it. I think most of the complaints here on this forum about Apple Maps are from the Android astroturf crowd. Not all, mind you, but most.

And when people's complaints are pinned down to specific issues, the vast majority can be solved simply by using Google's new HTML-based website. With all the same shortcomings of the old Maps app: no turn-by-turn, no map caching, etc.

For example:

And on the flip side, my wife drove 20 miles up the road using iOS6 and it took her to the wrong address. A business on a very busy road in a fairly large city. Had to pull up google maps and give her turn by turn over the phone.

See what I mean? If this is actually true, then maps.google.com has all the supposed benefits (Google's maps) with all the shortcomings of the old Maps app (no turn-by-turn).

So, if what you need is to find an English soccer field near your house (really?) or read parking garage signs on the streets of London (seriously?), then you can do that with maps.google.com today.

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.

I'm here to help.

There is also a link to an excellent universal YouTube app in my signature (you know, for those who actually *have* iOS 6). It happens to be miles ahead of Google's crappy new YouTube app, especially on an iPad. What are the odds that a new Google Maps app for iOS would suck as bad as their new YouTube app?

 

[NeroAZ]

I won't be downloading it. The maps app does what I need it to do. I have not had one problem with it yet. I think a lot of people are saying there is problems with it because other people say there is. I'm aware that its not perfect yet, but it does what I need it for.

I agree, I have not had one issue with apple maps. I for one am happy to be using one less google product. now if i can just find a decent search option.

 

[osaga]

God I love competition.

What i'd like to see on the new google maps:

1. Offline navigating. (so frustrating to have to load every screen, even if I've already viewed it. This would be especially helpful on the nyc subway.)
2. Turn by turn.
3. Make it easier to drop pins, and enter street view.
4. Faster.
5. Less battery suck would be nice.
6. Make the maps simpler / more pleasing to look at. (even the apple version looks old school).

I can't understand for the life of me, why certain crucial apps never get obvious updates/improvements. The youtube app is another example. itunes itself is another. And why was there no aesthetic update on ios 6? At least their bringing back arrested development.

 

[FieldingMellish]

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.

Glad you wrote that, I have iTrans and didn't see that overlay feature. I'll check it out.

Still, there is something nice about having entered a new person in addresses; clicked the address; watch the pin drop in Google Maps and quickly see the one or two stops nearest where the pin dropped. There is kind of less mental overhead associated with that.

 

[nt5672]

No issues with Apple Maps here, in fact I am pretty sure Google was sandbagging Apple by holding back technology. I will not download the google maps app if it ever shows up. The Apple Maps work great (for me.)

 

[samcraig]

Because I'm not buying it. I think most of the complaints here on this forum about Apple Maps are from the Android astroturf crowd. Not all, mind you, but most.

And when people's complaints are pinned down to specific issues, the vast majority can be solved simply by using Google's new HTML-based website. With all the same shortcomings of the old Maps app: no turn-by-turn, no map caching, etc.

That still doesn't solve the problem of integration with Map Kit though, does it?

And not to be rude - but who cares what you are buying or not? Some people had issues with their antennae on the iPhone 4. Some people are having problems with Maps. Some people are having other issues. You aren't the arbiter of what is valid or what is not. And certainly not with your overgeneralizing. A clear indication that it's more than just "hype" is the fact that the CEO of Apple issued an apology. You must think he's wrong about his assessment of his own product then, right? You're saying Tim Cook is wrong?

But hey - I think it's GREAT that you aren't affected by Maps. I'll even extend that to 90 percent of the people (if you believe in the validity of that survey) are OK with Apple Maps. That leaves 10 percent who are not. Doesn't sound like much - until you look at how many people that's actually affecting. And whether they are exaggerating or not is unknown. Just like the other 90 percent who might be sweeping their negative experiences under the rug.

 

[Gemütlichkeit]

my only complaint is apple maps doesn't do a great job finding the local place i'm searching for. it will give me the same place in like 9 states over

there's room for improvement

 

[John.B]

Oh, and the images from the OP are still faked:

 

[joenruschia]

This whole map thing is driving me nuts. As someone else stated: a lot of people are just getting on the band wagon cause others say it sucks. The news stations have a field day with anything they remotely think will bring attention to them which in this case is the ever so popular APPLE. Today I used evite for an event I was going to. Clicked the open in google map link and it took me to their site. I actually followed it to where it showed me. It was WRONG. I took a screenshot because I keep hearing how perfect google maps is.

 

[lunaoso]

This whole map thing is driving me nuts. As someone else stated: a lot of people are just getting on the band wagon cause others say it sucks. The news stations have a field day with anything they remotely think will bring attention to them which in this case is the ever so popular APPLE. Today I used evite for an event I was going to. Clicked the open in google map link and it took me to their site. I actually followed it to where it showed me. It was WRONG. I took a screenshot because I keep hearing how perfect google maps is.

Well said. That's exactly what I was trying to say, people just like to bash Apple because they're Apple.

 

[blackhand1001]

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.

Apple wrote the old ios google maps app. Google wanted to write it and demanded that they were allowed to call it google maps instead of just maps. They wanted the branding. Apple said no and thats why they never got turn by turn. Google was perfectly willing to give them it but apple didn't want to give google branding in the app.

 

[jonnysods]

Looking forward to it! Although I'm enjoying the new maps more each day.

 

[pig pile]

this just confirms what apple did was the right thing. they needed turn by turn, someway, somehow. google wasn't going to provide it, so apple had to force the issue. with apple maps we all have turn by turn, now google will have to provide it in their IOS map apps, if they don't then they will be possibly charging for an inadequate product. apple's customers win this deal, and if google charges for the app then apple gets a cut of that. for those of you still blinded by what the market is all about, this is primo example #1 on how to take care of your customers, even if they got a black eye out of it. most of you haters on this forum can't see the forest thru the trees.

if google provides a top-notch product and charge for it, then apple's customers (and stock holders ) win. if google provides a free product thats essentially the same as what previously was used, then my guess is alot of people will eventually gravitate to apple maps to get the services they want; over time when there will be the transport 'plug in apps' available. personally i think if they offer a 'free' app then the customer will essentially get what they pay for, inadequate updates as there won't be that financial incentive to stay current. apple will IMO catch up within a few years. if google 'charges' and turn by turn is included for the app then apple's customers undoubtedly will reap the benefits and apple might in the end decide to abandon any efforts to improve the product as it would't be worth it as their job (of getting apple IOS customers) the same as currently on android would be complete.

 

[iGrip]

Apples strategy to surprise Google with early release certainly seems to have paid off with Google taking so long on releasing their own app. Many are going to get over the initial issues with Maps and stick with it.

There is nothing wrong with Apple maps. It is much better than anything that Google can throw together. Apple did exactly the right thing by finally getting rid of Google maps, and they should not allow any Google spyware onto iOS.

 

[Gasu E.]

You might be fine, but there 6+ billion people outside of USA who will be potential users of a GPS mapping system in their own countries.

Wow, 6 billion would be a lot of iPhones.

Seriously, did you consider that only a small percentage of humanity shares with you the luxury of having the ability to purchase a smart phone?

 

[samcraig]

Well said. That's exactly what I was trying to say, people just like to bash Apple because they're Apple.

Or is it possible that people who love or even like Apple a lot expected more and/or want Apple to succeed so they're voicing their concerns and complaints to get Maps better?

There is nothing wrong with Apple maps. It is much better than anything that Google can throw together. Apple did exactly the right thing by finally getting rid of Google maps, and they should not allow any Google spyware onto iOS.

You're funny. Very funny.

 

[Sincci]

Oh, and the images from the OP are still faked:

Stop reposting same thing over and over again.

 

[samcraig]

Stop reposting same thing over and over again.

Ironic/Hypocritical that the poster is annoyed by all the "noise" of people complaining about maps but then contributes to the noise by posting the same thing over and over...

 

[a0me]

I just drove 12,642mi cross country (2x) using the iOS6 maps app on the iPad as my only source of directions, and didn't have a single issue. I really expected chaos, but it's been fine. Doubt I'll bother with a second Maps app.

It's great if you live somewhere where the maps are accurate enough to be usable. Unfortunately this is not the case for the rest of the world.

 

[Ungibbed]

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.

You nailed it for me. As a disabled guy where my only means of transport is my wheelchair and mass transit, I loved the walking/transit options. I should have waited to update my iPhone, but the new iOS release is like opening a present. A surprise inside that you hoped you were looking for.

I just wing it for now and been reporting errors on a semi daily basis of business listings that have been closed for years in my area and satellite images obscured by clouds.

I'm trying hard to like Apple Maps but its a bitter pill to swallow.

 

[wikus]

Wow, 6 billion would be a lot of iPhones.

Seriously, did you consider that only a small percentage of humanity shares with you the luxury of having the ability to purchase a smart phone?

Did you purposely skip over the word 'potential' only to come back with a smart a$$ comment?