Google Maps on iPhone Getting New Commuting Features and Apple Music Integration This Week

[MacRumors]

Google Maps will soon feature an all-new Commute tab that provides one-tap access to live traffic and transit information.

The new tab will tell you if your commute is going to be a normal one, or if you'll need to budget extra time due to things like an accident or heavy traffic. Google is introducing support for mixed-mode commutes that involve both driving and public transit, with helpful information along each leg of the trip.

In addition, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map. Starting in Sydney, Australia, Google Maps will also indicate how full the next bus or train is. Google says the latter feature will be coming to more cities around the globe soon.

Last, Google says it is making Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music playback controls accessible within Google Maps.

The new features will start rolling out globally on iOS and Android this week.

Article Link: Google Maps on iPhone Getting New Commuting Features and Apple Music Integration This Week

 

[Corsig]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

 

[Aluminum213]

And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps

 

[Kaibelf]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

Google does this all the time, just like they have two operating systems for watches. They are really flaky with such things. Either way I really avoid their products these days. Between the removal of “don’t be evil” and the whole Dragonfly mess they just give me a yucky vibe.

 

[ctg7w6]

Man, that is cool. Too bad google is evil

 

[gavroche]

And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps

And I still remember all too well how Google refused to add turn by turn navigation in their ios app, until Apple released Maps. I'll never forgive them for that and will always tilt towards other options when possible.

 

[69Mustang]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

They didn't make 2 identical apps. They made one app and acquired another. There are enough people who prefer one over the other to justify the existence of both. I think Google Maps will eventually integrate most of Waze's top features and ultimately kill Waze approx. 3-4 years from now.

 

[zorinlynx]

And I still remember all too well how Google refused to add turn by turn navigation in their ios app, until Apple released Maps. I'll never forgive them for that and will always tilt towards other options when possible.

Google didn't have their own iOS app until after Apple released Maps because Apple DID NOT ALLOW IT, plain and simple.

The Maps app in iOS has always been Apple's. Back when it used Google Maps, it was really Apple's app using Google's data. Google did not write nor maintain that app, and it shipped as part of iOS. The refusal to have turn by turn directions in that app was Apple's, not Google's.

Only once Apple Maps came about did they finally allow Google to write their own Maps app; as far as I'm concerned that was the best thing that ever happened for Google Maps on iOS because they were extremely stifled before by Apple's refusal to let them write the app.

I don't mean to be combative, I just get tired of people getting the history behind this wrong. Apple was the bad guy here, not Google.

 

[gavroche]

Google didn't have their own iOS app until after Apple released Maps because Apple DID NOT ALLOW IT, plain and simple.

The Maps app in iOS has always been Apple's. Back when it used Google Maps, it was really Apple's app using Google's data. Google did not write nor maintain that app, and it shipped as part of iOS.

Only once Apple Maps came about did they finally allow Google to write their own Maps app; as far as I'm concerned that was the best thing that ever happened for Google Maps on iOS because they were extremely stifled before by Apple's refusal to let them write the app.

I don't mean to be combative, I just get tired of people getting the history behind this wrong. Apple was the bad guy here, not Google.

Not correct. They released their ios app in September, 2008. Apple didn't release their Maps app until 2012. Where are you getting your information. And during all that time, they had turn by turn but not for their ios app... and refused to add it. Until Maps came out, and they looked too dumb and would have lost all their users.
If I had time I'd dig up the old forum discussions about it from back then.

 

[zorinlynx]

Not correct. They released their ios app in September, 2008. Apple didn't release their Maps app until 2012. Where are you getting your information. And during all that time, they had turn by turn but not for their ios app... and refused to add it. Until Maps came out, and they looked too dumb and would have lost all their users.
If I had time I'd dig up the old forum discussions about it from back then.

I vividly remember Google releasing their first iOS Maps app some time after iOS 6 came out with Apple Maps.

Before that, Google did not have their own Maps app on iOS. The "Google Maps" in iOS was an Apple-created app and its lack of features was on Apple.

If you have a link to information that disputes this, please post it because I don't recall any sort of alternative Google Maps app for iOS before iOS 6 came out. I'm quite curious myself if I'm actually wrong, it's just that my own memory completely supports what I wrote.

 

[shyam09]

I vividly remember Google releasing their first iOS Maps app some time after iOS 6 came out with Apple Maps.

Before that, Google did not have their own Maps app on iOS. The "Google Maps" in iOS was an Apple-created app and its lack of features was on Apple.

If you have a link to information that disputes this, please post it because I don't recall any sort of alternative Google Maps app for iOS before iOS 6 came out. I'm quite curious myself if I'm actually wrong, it's just that my own memory completely supports what I wrote.

Wiki history points that you're correct:

Up until iOS 6, the built-in maps application on the iOS operating system was powered by Google Maps. However, with the announcement of iOS 6 in June 2012, Apple announced that they had created their own Apple Maps mapping service,[13] which officially replaced Google Maps when iOS 6 was released on September 19, 2012.[14] However, at launch, Apple Maps received significant criticism from users due to inaccuracies, errors and bugs.[15][16] One day later, The Guardian reported that Google was preparing its own Google Maps app,[17] which was released on December 12, 2012.[18][19]

Google's Android app was released in 2008 //

On September 23, 2008, coinciding with the announcement of the first commercial Android device, Google announced that a Google Maps app had been released for its Android operating system.[11][12]

 

[Yellowbean12]

In addition, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map.​

Does anyone know what the 80 regions are?

 

[bmustaf]

But it won't actually do what you ask it to, it will play exactly the opposite type of song you ask it to and then will randomly redirect you into death metal.

And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps

 

[jonnysods]

Google are winning this battle!!

 

[tzm41]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

Maybe there are people like me who don't appreciate the cartoonishly styled and ad plagued Waze app.

 

[eatrains]

And in about 20 years we can expect this in Apple Maps

Apple Maps' transit data has been better than Google's for years now.

 

[Corsig]

Maybe there are people like me who don't appreciate the cartoonishly styled and ad plagued Waze app.

Actually that is a good point.

 

[Zadigre]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

waze is good most of the time... but
sometimes, it pushes me to routes outside of the highway because it thinks that this will save me 1 minute of trafic... which end up to be 5 minutes more trafic because of stops and red lights.
Also I ran into maps issues a few times with Waze where a map editor ****ed up the map... and maps where published with all kind of errors (disconnected roads, not turn when turn is allowed...)
I prefer Google Maps for these reasons... it may be a little bit slow to update... but if you report a problem, it's usually fixed within a month.

 

[zorinlynx]

waze is good most of the time... but
sometimes, it pushes me to routes outside of the highway because it thinks that this will save me 1 minute of trafic... which end up to be 5 minutes more trafic because of stops and red lights.
Also I ran into maps issues a few times with Waze where a map editor ****ed up the map... and maps where published with all kind of errors (disconnected roads, not turn when turn is allowed...)
I prefer Google Maps for these reasons... it may be a little bit slow to update... but if you report a problem, it's usually fixed within a month.

Sometimes on my commute home Waze wants me to cut through a quiet residential street to save one minute... Only this cutting results in an eventual left turn across two lanes of busy traffic where there's no light. Not to mention the people on that street probably don't appreciate the extra traffic.

 

[atikalz]

They didn't make 2 identical apps. They made one app and acquired another. There are enough people who prefer one over the other to justify the existence of both. I think Google Maps will eventually integrate most of Waze's top features and ultimately kill Waze approx. 3-4 years from now.

Like Google does with their more innovative products like inbox.
[doublepost=1538412670][/doublepost]

They didn't make 2 identical apps. They made one app and acquired another. There are enough people who prefer one over the other to justify the existence of both. I think Google Maps will eventually integrate most of Waze's top features and ultimately kill Waze approx. 3-4 years from now.

Google Maps will soon feature an all-new Commute tab that provides one-tap access to live traffic and transit information.

The new tab will tell you if your commute is going to be a normal one, or if you'll need to budget extra time due to things like an accident or heavy traffic. Google is introducing support for mixed-mode commutes that involve both driving and public transit, with helpful information along each leg of the trip.

In addition, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map. Starting in Sydney, Australia, Google Maps will also indicate how full the next bus or train is. Google says the latter feature will be coming to more cities around the globe soon.

Last, Google says it is making Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Play Music playback controls accessible within Google Maps.

The new features will start rolling out globally on iOS and Android this week.

Article Link: Google Maps on iPhone Getting New Commuting Features and Apple Music Integration This Week[/QUOTE]
They should better implement basic navigation features like speed limits! Every navi app and even googles free app waze has this!

 

[mi7chy]

Google are pretty cool with competing services. Their updated Clock app has Spotify musical alarm integration.

https://newsroom.spotify.com/2018-0...ack-with-spotify-and-clock-app-from-googletm/

 

[RicoRich196]

Google owns Waze. Waze has been doing this forever. What’s the difference between the two and why switch? Not trashing google just honestly asking why make two identical apps

Waze does not support any public transit routes at all. No walking, no bus, no train, no bike directions. Google Maps has options for all of that and driving.

While Google has acquired Waze, Waze’s development is still very much independent.

 

[tbayrgs]

Sometimes on my commute home Waze wants me to cut through a quiet residential street to save one minute... Only this cutting results in an eventual left turn across two lanes of busy traffic where there's no light. Not to mention the people on that street probably don't appreciate the extra traffic.

I’ve learned to trust the routing in Waze, even when its suggested route seems illogical. Too many times I’ve ignored those little suggested reroutes through surface streets I normally wouldn’t consider and been burned for it. I find Waze’s routing and estimated travel times to almost always be most accurate, so while the app’s design and style isn’t my favorite, it’s the best navigation solution I’ve used. They’ve done a good job with its integration in CarPlay as well.

Now if I need POI searching or walking directions, I always turn to Google Maps.

 

[CarpalMac]

Maybe there are people like me who don't appreciate the cartoonishly styled and ad plagued Waze app.

On a 530 mile trip using Waze my phone used 19MB of data. I've not tried it but i'll wager the non-cartoon graphics app will use a lot more data.

The Waze routing is crystal clear with even the shortest of glances, that is all I am looking for when using it. The ad's are indeed fricking annoying though. They popup only when stationary, bit it is usually in traffic where I am able and hoping to try and study the next turns a bit more closely.

 

[zorinlynx]

On a 530 mile trip using Waze my phone used 19MB of data. I've not tried it but i'll wager the non-cartoon graphics app will use a lot more data.

The Waze routing is crystal clear with even the shortest of glances, that is all I am looking for when using it. The ad's are indeed fricking annoying though. They popup only when stationary, bit it is usually in traffic where I am able and hoping to try and study the next turns a bit more closely.

19MB over a 530 mile trip doesn't sound all too bad, when you consider that along the route, the app has to download map data for the towns and such that you drive through and near. Google Maps will do the same thing.