Google to Show Off 'Next Dimension' of Maps on June 6

[kdarling]

Although I have been around the world and navigated even some very remote areas, I'm with those who find Street Views to be very useful at times.

Especially here in the crowded Northeast US, where previewing turns is an almost mandatory idea due to pitiful signage around very complicated road designs.

I also tend to use it to peek at the neighborhoods before meeting someone, or finding a friend's house, or going to an auction or something. That way, there's no surprises when you get there and discover it's way different than the way you envisioned it.

 

[AidenShaw]

Especially here in the crowded Northeast US, where previewing turns is an almost mandatory idea due to pitiful signage around very complicated road designs.

You, sir, are a very kind person.

"Very complicated road designs" is a euphemism for "twisty, turny paths designed by cows in the 17th century".

I was in the Quincy Market area, and my Garmin said "turn right now". There were four different right turns in the next 50 metres.... Having lived in the area for a long time, I took the correct turn - but Gord have mercy on the tourist.

 

[James Howlett]

There's no replacing the stand-alone Garmin unit in my car. Phones and apps will continue to improve their offerings, but I don't think its going to kill the standalone GPS market. Take some market share... sure... but kill it? Naw.

I have a phone that has maps on it, why would I need another $150 device that is marginally better than it. I have used standalone gps units and while it is better because it's designed to do it, I won't buy one when I already have a $700 device with mapping as an afterthought. I have used my iPhone on vacation driving in a foreign place, not the best but adequate. And getting better soon apparently too...

Maybe not kill the market, but with "everyone" getting smart phones it will eventually be gone or gps devices will get a lot cheaper

 

[sampath]

So Google Maps already "sucks" even though it is the best maps solution on the market right now? (Note: Apple's supposed maps solution *isn't on the market yet*)

Not only is it not on the market yet, it hasn't even been announced yet. Welcome to the Apple Reality Distortion Field I guess.

We'll have to wait and see what Apple does, but if Google Maps gets booted out of iOS and replaced with something that is not as fully featured, the end users will be the ones who lose out. And by end users I mean the average person on the street who couldn't give stuff about Apple v Google bickering; the Apple fanboys on the other hand will doubtless be ecstatic no matter what Apple come up with.

 

[Konrad]

Although I have been around the world and navigated even some very remote areas, I'm with those who find Street Views to be very useful at times.

Especially here in the crowded Northeast US, where previewing turns is an almost mandatory idea due to pitiful signage around very complicated road designs.

I also tend to use it to peek at the neighborhoods before meeting someone, or finding a friend's house, or going to an auction or something. That way, there's no surprises when you get there and discover it's way different than the way you envisioned it.

That is outright boring. Especially in Casa, intoxicated, when complicated, you stop and get surprised. And get another drink. Cool people and a good tagine are the only mandatory components. You peek at the wrong stuff pal. Man, I would hate to travel with someone like you...

 

[KnightWRX]

That is outright boring. Especially in Casa, intoxicated, when complicated, you stop and get surprised. And get another drink. Cool people and a good tagine are the only mandatory components. You peek at the wrong stuff pal. Man, I would hate to travel with someone like you...

And my group of 20 motorcycles would hate to have you lead them and having to turn around all the time. If you don't like it, don't use it. But don't say it's useless or "terrible" because you don't have a use for it. And what will you say if Apple comes up with the same feature in their maps solution ? Will it also be terrible ?

God some people just like pissing in everyone else's cereal.

 

[Konrad]

And what will you say if Apple comes up with the same feature in their maps solution ? Will it also be terrible ?

God some people just like pissing in everyone else's cereal.

Of course!
20 lumberjacks on most likely noise polluting Harleys without a clou where they are going. What a trip!

 

[damir00]

Maps don't matter much for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

 

[28monkeys]

It's pathetic to see Google resort to these well-known Microsoft strategies - preview technology that someone else is about to release for real. I have very little doubt that they'll show "in the lab" concepts with no real ship dates/timelines, etc. Attempt to create the impression of being the leader while in reality just following the leader.

Google truly is the next Microsoft.

felt the same

 

[Renzatic]

Apple iMaps Beta. Roads coming soon, with the release of iOS7.

 

[mentholiptus]

Apple is neither. They're a systems company. They sell you a system, be it an iPad, iPhone or Mac. The system is both hardware and software. That's where their money comes. Not from hardware, not from software, from systems.

They claim to be a software company.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEeyaAUCyZs

 

[danahn17]

Sure they are invasive. People get sued by paranoid people who use this data. Perhaps google can map the moon and stop photographing private homes.

Well google already mapped the moon...

http://www.google.com/moon/

God some people just like pissing in everyone else's cereal.

But did Jony Ive design the cereal bowl?

 

[blinkin182]

Microsoft's Streetside is grossly under done. They're a long way behind Google, not to mention their mapping data is also older (they don't even have my street yet, Google has had it for 2 years now...)

I think Streetview coverage (or a comparable service) and gaining a truly worldwide database of places (businesses such as restaurants, bars, banks etc.) is what makes me fear that Apple's offering will take a few years before it can catch up to google's mapping service. I mean it does take a very long time and a fleet of 360° camera equipped vehicles traveling around every street in every country.. It's not something you can do in a few months.

As others have said, competition is a good thing. However, I do hope that we will have a choice of using either Apple's iMaps or Google Maps on our iOS devices.

As for the timing of Google's event... Well, it does seem like Google is trying to steal the show, but it's unfortunately a "standard" technique to get the media's attention before it is drowned out by Apple's announcements.

Here's hoping, both offerings are equally awesome and available to all!

 

[Tanguyvd]

Why *must* Apple even replace their maps back-end ? Google Maps work. They need to fix the front-end to put in the features that are missing that the back-end already supports (turn-by-turn navigation, etc..).

I, for one would love to see alternatives to Google Maps.
It only makes sence that Apple at least partner up with different providers.
I defenately want the MsBing to start getting more attention. And with apple in the running, creating even more alternatives: only makes it better.


My 2ct prediction: Apple Maps will be awesome for fanboys and crappy copy for bashers....

 

[KnightWRX]

My 2ct prediction: Apple Maps will be awesome for fanboys and crappy copy for bashers....

What about all the people who aren't fanboys or bashers ? What's your prediction for them ?

 

[Flitzy]

As for the timing of Google's event... Well, it does seem like Google is trying to steal the show, but it's unfortunately a "standard" technique to get the media's attention before it is drowned out by Apple's announcements.

Except Google's press conference will get a resounding yawn from everyone except for tech blogs, all of whom have outlived their usefulness about five years ago.

But, hey, maybe they can release more concept designs that do nothing like they did with the glasses or the car and have all the tech blogs fawn over them like it's an actual thing.

 

[dokujaryu]

Maps don't matter much for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

I made you a picture.

----------

What about all the people who aren't fanboys or bashers ? What's your prediction for them ?

I predict it will be an alternative. Maps is a critical, but fairly boring product. As a informed guess, I would say Apple has a history of trying to take something boring, focusing on a certain subset features, and making them more sexy and (nebulous I know) user friendly. So, I would predict they will take the same approach with maps instead of trying to compete on absolute number of features. At the same time, I also predict they will have at least one feature that they will say no one else has.

There, is that fairly accurate you think?

 

[Oletros]

Except Google's press conference will get a resounding yawn from everyone except for tech blogs, all of whom have outlived their usefulness about five years ago.

But, hey, maybe they can release more concept designs that do nothing like they did with the glasses or the car and have all the tech blogs fawn over them like it's an actual thing.

To not care nothing about Google you don-t stop spitting hatred.

A Googler stole you girl/boyfriend?

 

[KnightWRX]

I predict it will be an alternative. Maps is a critical, but fairly boring product. As a informed guess, I would say Apple has a history of trying to take something boring, focusing on a certain subset features, and making them more sexy and (nebulous I know) user friendly. So, I would predict they will take the same approach with maps instead of trying to compete on absolute number of features. At the same time, I also predict they will have at least one feature that they will say no one else has.

There, is that fairly accurate you think?

It's the prediction I made. They will take a subset of features, make something really nice (US only on launch), lack a lot of the information of the competition and have 1 very good redeeming feature.

They will either eventually catch up to the competition or abandon the project after a while.

----------

except for tech blogs, all of whom have outlived their usefulness about five years ago.

Why are you reading one then ?

 

[MozMan68]

I have a phone that has maps on it, why would I need another $150 device that is marginally better than it. I have used standalone gps units and while it is better because it's designed to do it, I won't buy one when I already have a $700 device with mapping as an afterthought. I have used my iPhone on vacation driving in a foreign place, not the best but adequate. And getting better soon apparently too...

Maybe not kill the market, but with "everyone" getting smart phones it will eventually be gone or gps devices will get a lot cheaper

As soon as there is a phone GPS that will tell me where a POI is along my current route, I'll switch. Stand alone GPS units can hold WAY more data than a current phone could.

I'm just waiting for a GPS/phone that uses it's cell data capabilities to constantly update and have every POI possible.

 

[Konrad]

Maps don't matter much for people with nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Maps don't matter much for people with traveling experience and a brain.

 

[omgitswes]

Maps don't matter much for people with traveling experience and a brain.

How do you figure?

Anyway, I always get excited when I get a notification for a Google Map update

 

[Renzatic]

Maps don't matter much for people with traveling experience and a brain.

I don't need a map. My vast amounts of MENSA certified brain power allow me to divine exactly where a road is within a 500 mile radius using mental triangulation and an intuitive sense of the topographical layout of the entire Earth. The only reason maps exists is because the vast majority of people are fools, and need to have their hand held everywhere they go.

RAND MCNALLY? TOOLS FOR THE SHEEPLE!

 

[Konrad]

I don't need a map. My vast amounts of MENSA certified brain power allow me to divine exactly where a road is within a 500 mile radius using mental triangulation and an intuitive sense of the topographical layout of the entire Earth. The only reason maps exists is because the vast majority of people are fools, and need to have their hand held everywhere they go.

RAND MCNALLY? TOOLS FOR THE SHEEPLE!

Aha, and once you leave the 500 mile radius, which planet are you aiming for?

 

[kdarling]

That is outright boring. Especially in Casa, intoxicated, when complicated, you stop and get surprised. And get another drink. Cool people and a good tagine are the only mandatory components. You peek at the wrong stuff pal. Man, I would hate to travel with someone like you...

There's a time for adventure and a time for being smart and planning ahead.

I peek ahead at turns and destinations when I need to be somewhere on time that's new to me. E.g. doctor's offices, or meeting someone to look at a car, or getting to a party.

Countless times Street View has saved me searching for parking, or finding an office building that would not have otherwise been obvious, or missing a poorly marked exit... which in this part of the country can mean driving quite a distance before being able to turn around.