Because the two sides couldn't negotiate agreed upon terms. Google wanted Google Maps branding on Apple. Apple said no. Apple wanted turn-by-turn. Google said no unless they got branding.
Hence, Apple Maps.
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Key Maps Engineer Chris Blumenberg Leaving Apple for Uber
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Hence, Apple Maps.
The internal issues with the Maps team are more worrying to me than the known problems with Maps itself. Without a dedicated and focussed team they'll never build anything truly great.
I think Apple should open their maps up to the web so that it can be used by more people. They need to get some real leadership in the Maps team and have them build features that will inspire people to use and improve the product.
Google's approach to GMaps is very suited to the type of problem. Google have a huge team behind GMaps, and they load it with mountains upon mountains of data. Just keep adding data. It's easier to keep the team motivated and focussed because GMaps is such an important product; millions of people rely on it every single day to get around, explore new places, meet people, etc. Apple's Maps are built on limited amounts of rather shoddy data, restricted for use only on Apple's devices. I'm not surprised they can't keep the team motivated.
I think Apple should open their maps up to the web so that it can be used by more people. They need to get some real leadership in the Maps team and have them build features that will inspire people to use and improve the product.
Google's approach to GMaps is very suited to the type of problem. Google have a huge team behind GMaps, and they load it with mountains upon mountains of data. Just keep adding data. It's easier to keep the team motivated and focussed because GMaps is such an important product; millions of people rely on it every single day to get around, explore new places, meet people, etc. Apple's Maps are built on limited amounts of rather shoddy data, restricted for use only on Apple's devices. I'm not surprised they can't keep the team motivated.
Certainly not, but you're on MacRumours, which for some reason is now a home for Apple haters.
And you know why that is? Because The message boards here became such a home of Apple sycophants, there was an organized effort to push back and bring some critical thought and balance back to the conversation. There's still a long way to go. Call it "Apple Haters" all you want, it won't make it true. Apple is a company, not your best friend. If they (or any company) are going to take our hard earned money, they deserve to have their faults magnified and their moves scrutinized. You, me, all of us, work too hard for that money to just give them a pass when they screw things up.
More on topic: I have submitted, to date, 26 map corrections since Apple Maps was introduced, including three major errors in the Denver, CO area that involve US highways completely mis-labeled or in the wrong locationthese aren't small errors. Not one has been fixed.
Oh, but I guess I'm an "Apple Hater" because I like my highways to be in the right place. My bad.
I am disgusted with Apple Maps
This problem child continues to break my heart. I have sent no fewer than 25 reports that my home is listed with the incorrect address, and the pin for my home after a search is at the end of my block, not the corner. This has been going on for over 18 months. I've sent the reports to Apple and to Tom Tom, with no progress.
OTOH, Google fixed the problem within a week.
Because of this problem I cannot use geofencing for my home, and that reduces functionality for me.
Should I write to Apple? Tried that too. Absolutely no excuse for this.
This problem child continues to break my heart. I have sent no fewer than 25 reports that my home is listed with the incorrect address, and the pin for my home after a search is at the end of my block, not the corner. This has been going on for over 18 months. I've sent the reports to Apple and to Tom Tom, with no progress.
OTOH, Google fixed the problem within a week.
Because of this problem I cannot use geofencing for my home, and that reduces functionality for me.
Should I write to Apple? Tried that too. Absolutely no excuse for this.
It's not just a problem outside the US. Try looking for a gas station in downtown Houston or Dallas. You'll be taken to the offices of 30 different oil and gas companies and then you be walking because you ran out of fuel. Google is able to figure out the difference between an Exxon gas station and an Exxon office building, but Apple can't.
You should understand that Apple "does not do maps". They get map data from other companies. Therefore they probably can't fix the maps. What would be the point? They fix an error in the map and then in, say, 3 months they get new version of the map from the original supplier and the fix is gone. You need to submit your corrections to original map data suppliers not Apple.
Holy Christ dude, it was just a little jovial remark. Have a glass of red, chill out ...
I've re-submitted all my error reports to TomTom Map Share (link: http://www.tomtom.com/mapshare/tools/), I take it that's where we're supposed to submit them? If so, read on...
All the reports I've submitted to TTMS are tagged as "Accepted" as of last fall, as in fall of 2013. We're now in July 2014, almost 10 months later and not a single one has made it to Apple Maps.
Just for comparison sake; The reports I've submitted to Google are all fixed inside of 5 days and I get status email updates to let me know when they're done.
The stark contrast in error reports handling between Apple/TomTom and Google is astounding. To this day not a single error I've reported through the Apple Maps app or TomTom Map Share has been implemented.
At what point would be considered too soon for me to throw in the towel?
Apple maps suck.
Google maps suck.
I use paper maps from the 90s much more accurate and I rarely find myself in new place. Just saying.
Google maps suck.
I use paper maps from the 90s much more accurate and I rarely find myself in new place. Just saying.
Same here. I dont understand how Apple can tolerate this. They have the resources, but they dont seem to spend them. Apple Maps may have gotten better, but its simply not as good as Google Maps. I doubt it ever will be.
Interesting PR for Uber to handle. A taxi service hiring a mapping engineer with the most visibly horrible track record. I suppose Uber is going to use Google or similar. I certainly wouldn't want to use a Taxi guided by Apple Maps nor indeed have my fare calculated by an Apple Maps engineer.
Certainly not, but you're on MacRumours, which for some reason is now a home for Apple haters.
I had many problems with the poor quality mapping data for my area when Apple Maps was released but I'm in no way an Apple hater.
It may have worked fine where you live but there is no denying there were problems in a lot of places which have only recently been (or are yet to be) fixed.
Nokia still have the best maps trough their navteq and that was not in the MS deal. So its still free of any MS bull, think apple should look that way instead of inventing something that already is in funktion and works better that both google- and applemaps.
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Wait wait, stop trying improve Apple Maps, and you users please stop sending tips and notifications. FIRST WOLDERS say it's not necessary
I think it showing up in Find My Phone on iCloud.com is the first step to what you are thinking here.
Are you serious? It's almost common knowledge that Apple's own maps is much inferior to Google's own map data. There's a ton of things I can search for in my own area that does not show up in Apple Maps but does on Google Maps. Apple simply doesn't have enough data to compete with Google, although in Apple's defence, their data has much improved since release and is continuing to improve with user input. The fact that Apple are now integrating their own maps to replace Google's own maps into their online Find My iPhone and other services is probably evidence to suggest that Apple are becoming more confident in their own maps data and reliability. It's only a matter of time before Apple's map data will be able to contest more seriously Google's mapping data, but at the moment it certainly hasn't happened yet and Apple still have a way to go, especially in regards to POI and traffic data.
Although you may have had more success with Apple Maps over Google's own, it does not take away the fact that the majority of people still find Google's own mapping data much more reliable over Apple's. You only need to search the Macrumors Forums to see a handful of the complaints of Apple Maps.
Btw, Scotland and Australia are first world countries.
Apple Maps has rarely gotten locations right for me. But here is a key difference: Where you travel. Google has had a decade+ of getting points of interest correct not only in cities but in less populated areas.
When I use maps, it's generally not in a city. And Google does that much much better. I imagine the data Apple has in cities is simply better quality because of higher usage.
Apple's UI is *much* better than Google's or Apple's previous Google based map app. I just wish it was accurate everywhere.
I would also like to note that Apple Maps has gotten better for me since release. But I no longer *trust* it. And that is a problem. I tend to verify data and locations in two programs now. That is annoying.
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That's valid. My point is Apple's choice is a net negative for users of built in mapping on iProducts. Tim Cook even apologized for it. Stop the insanity!
You know what I would like? The ability to have Apple's UI backed by Google's data. I would happily opt in to Google tracking if it meant I could have my maps backed by a much more mature map data source while using Apple's UI.
Unfortunately that is wishful thinking. And after using Apple Maps UI, it's hard to stomach Google Maps (on mobile devices. on the desktop I often still use maps.google.com)
I do respect the privacy issue though. *I* just don't care if they track me.
Well, looks are subjective... though I usually do appreciate what Apple designs. I like iOS7/8. I even miss the more extreme changes Apple made with the early iOS7 designs (thinner font, etc.)
But, interface as a function is what I was referring to. Hence, my quibble over dotted lines indicating traffic (much easier to view traffic with Google Maps), and the appreciation of the extremely convenient single finger gesture for zooming in and out using the Google Maps App.
The original post said Apple has the "best interface" for maps not the "best looking interface."
Btw, the Google Maps App isn't that bad look wise...
The net result is users have a choice of 2 inferior mapping options: One with great UI and poor data, the other with great data and poor UI. Many years from now Apple's data may be up to par and this may be a non-issue. Or Google may beat Apple's interface (unlikely on the iPhone due to the closed nature of Apple's platform). As of today, it's an issue.
I understand that there are a myriad of privacy, data, control and other business issues. But the reason for *all* of them is because Apple and Google are fighting like children.
My view point is they would both benefit greatly if they chose to work together rather than against each other on the mapping issue. But it's a corporate war and doing what's right for the user isn't the top priority for mapping. It's more important to both Google and Apple to maintain control.
That's their right, but we are suffering because of it.
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They have the talent. Just not the time. It takes time to cultivate accurate map data. Until the data is as good as Google's, I won't be able to trust Apple Maps. I'm not sure when that will happen.
Agreed. The worst thing about Uber is their lousy maps. A car can be 15 minutes away on a map, then be right at your front door in two minutes. It's my biggest beef with Uber.
And then the irony of having an Apple Maps guy....yes, the irony is there.