i had a HTC Inspire last year and every time i fired up Google Nav it would lose GPS signal unless my phone was on the dashboard near the windshield
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Google to Show Off 'Next Dimension' of Maps on June 6
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i had a HTC Inspire last year and every time i fired up Google Nav it would lose GPS signal unless my phone was on the dashboard near the windshield
I can agree with your first point, that makes sense.
I don't think it rubs it in Apple's face at all really because its not ready until the end of the year, and IF apple is releasing new Maps it will be out WAY before then. So Apple will have first strike in real world testing, lets just hope its as good or better than google's.
Google doesn't make phones or tablets. They make an OS that runs on such hardware, but don't make the hardware themselves (yes, I know about Motorola damnit).
As an iOS user, I'm happy they aren't getting into the "cat fight" and aren't afraid of showing off their software on Apple's platform.
A few days ago, everybody was jumping on Google for pulling off a Microsoft-like competitor move by trying to upstage Apple's own event. They said Google pretty much hated Apple and purposely crippled the Maps app on iOS and that Apple was essentially blameless and had every right to develop their own mapping solution.
Now Google demos their Maps on an iPad. Now people are saying Google admits defeat in the tablet market. They don't see that Google is showing that their apps can work well with Apple and have designed their apps to work with iOS along with Android OS. Who knows, perhaps its even a symbolic way of offering Apple a peace branch.
But nope. Google still is doing something wrong here. Can't win either way I suppose.
Well, from the masses who frequent MacRumors, no, google can't win either way.
The truth is, though that Google's 3D looks better (and the way they went about developing it is more robust) than Apple's upcoming solution. I mean, creating a 3D mesh by sending a fleet of planes all over the world to record EVERYTHING from multiple angles, and then processing it all into real 3D data?
Yes, please.
I already use google maps on an android device without an active data plan. the offline maps feature has been a life-saver for me on more than one occasion. I pre-cached a 50 mile radius around my home city, which takes up about 30MB on my SD card, and makes it possible for me to see where I am and where I am trying to go with zero network access.
My monthly cell phone bill is ~10 (I just pay for minutes I use), and I have wifi access about 90-95% of the day (in the office or at home or at a restaurant, etc). I paid $75 for a phone. That means my total 1-year cost is under $200.
I could buy some MB of 3G data if I wanted it, too. I haven't felt the need in the last 6 months.
Anyway, google has so far done maps just right. If the iphoto stuff is any indication, Apple's going to be behind from launch. They will call it amazing and revolutionary and magical, but it will leave android users scratching their heads, wondering what on earth Apple is talking about.
Did you even watch the event? They showed off offline Maps using a Motorola Xoom running Android.
So because the iPad is one of the devices it was demo on it is a failure? As others already pointed out it was on multiple android devices there as well
What? Showing off your multiplatform app slash service on multiple platforms? You're right. Steve Jobs would not approve.
GPS signals won't go through metal roofs.
Going through windows depends on 1) if they're metal coated or not, 2) have rain on them or not, 3) their visibility to available satellites.
Most of the time, you need to keep a GPS near a window. Even then, the unit might not always see enough satellites, depending on the direction you're facing. A rooftop antenna works best.
The Mac Fan boys need to calm down
I'm sorry but Apple will never beat google in mapping. Google has a 10 year head start and their core competency is data aggregation. Apple specializes in consumer products.
Google is looking to bring google earth to all smart phones and already have the capability of implementing turn by turn navigation for free.
If apple tries to block the google maps app they will get hit with an antitrust lawsuit, lose, and oh by the way lose me as an iPhone purchaser. This is the type of stuff that RIM tried to do before they went belly up. Not a good move for apple seeing as how androids biggest selling point is being open source and receptive to all apps.
Its obvious that they are trying to bundle Siri with their maps app to monopolize the turn by turn market on iPhones but this will hit a legal snafu if they don't let google compete as well. Look for Internet Explorer as an example.
I'm sorry but Apple will never beat google in mapping. Google has a 10 year head start and their core competency is data aggregation. Apple specializes in consumer products.
Google is looking to bring google earth to all smart phones and already have the capability of implementing turn by turn navigation for free.
If apple tries to block the google maps app they will get hit with an antitrust lawsuit, lose, and oh by the way lose me as an iPhone purchaser. This is the type of stuff that RIM tried to do before they went belly up. Not a good move for apple seeing as how androids biggest selling point is being open source and receptive to all apps.
Its obvious that they are trying to bundle Siri with their maps app to monopolize the turn by turn market on iPhones but this will hit a legal snafu if they don't let google compete as well. Look for Internet Explorer as an example.
Um
what does Steve Jobs have to do with Google not wanting to show their premium upgrade on their inferior hardware!?Google, at this point, wants to be Apple (Samsung and dozens of others too) but what they don't get is that Apple has an EMOTIONAL connection with it customers.
Not to mention premium built, well supported products.
It's sooo sad that these other companies just don't get what is free...
ACCOUNTABILITY
Um
Google, at this point, wants to be Apple (Samsung and dozens of others too) but what they don't get is that Apple has an EMOTIONAL connection with it customers.
If Google wanted to be Apple, they wouldn't be providing Google Earth on a competing OS. Google showed the new Google Maps for Android on a Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Xoom both running Android. Then they showed Google Earth on an iPad. It makes a lot of sense they would do this to show they aren't going to shut off iOS. Let me know when Apple is going to bring their mapping software to Android.
Yeah, I've never gotten that "emotional" connection most people claim to have with Apple and their products. My iPad has yet to spoon me, whisper sweet nothings in my ear, or even offer to wash my car. I've never gotten a personal letter from any of Apple's CEOs. All I've done is pay money for one of their computational devices, and then...like...did computery stuff with it. Same as any other computational device I've paid for from other companies.
And anyway, as has already been stated, they showed their maps app off on a Xoom and Galaxy Tab. The only thing I found personally disappointing is that they didn't demo it on a Transformer Prime, which I personally think is the best Android tablet by and far.
As much as you want to believe apple is a competitor, google makes more money on search than selling android devices...the more products google software is on, the more money they make.
Ignoring the tablet leader would just be nonsense.
Word. Although I think they wouldn't hesitate to shut out Apple completely if they ever get in the position of being able to do it, i.e. Android gets the market leadership. But I think it might be too late for that.
Google has never shown such spite. Heck, they even made a plug-in for Internet Explorer to bring it HTML5 since Microsoft is lagging :
https://developers.google.com/chrome/chrome-frame/
Google is about making their stuff available to the widest audience possible. They aren't about to get into petty cat fights over technologies.
If anybody is going to do something like that, I'd say Apple would be the most likely to shut out its collaborators/competitors....
Many third party developers may be suddenly faced with not being able to use Google's mapping services in their apps.
Uh ? 2 trips first, is plenty for battery. 2nd, you're in your car or other vehicule, how about just... you know... plugging in the device...
No seriously, Apple compromising on optional features that don't need to be on all the time for "battery life" is inane. I can choose myself how I want to spend my battery power.
Heck, let's just not have any OS on the iPhone, if it can't boot, it can't use battery at all.
2x 20 minute trips, and not my vehicle means no charge available.