Maps is already improving?

[cjmillsnun]

I'm pleased to say I was wrong about maps. Perhaps the back end wasn't ready, and they've switched in the production back end.

They're also making front end improvements too in Hybrid mode, the mapping is more pleasant on the eye. It's not quite perfect yet, but it's getting there.

Still some improvements to be made (mainly front end), but now the vector data seems to be there or thereabouts. It's only the rasters (and the 3D) that needs serious work, and to be honest that can be done easily on the fly.

 

[MozMan68]

lol @ people using Beta 1 were complaining about how "this is how Maps is going to be! You only beta test final code!"

Of course they're going to improve it!

Don't worry...they will now claim that the data WAS always there and that Apple is just making more of it visible due to their "very valid concerns and complaints" over the past week.

I think the maps look awesome and much clearer than Google. Sometimes, even with the same amount of data showing, the proper font, colors and graphics make a world of difference. Very happy that Maps will look more "Apple" than other maps out there.

 

[naltst*]

2 more things I'd like to see changed.

POIs seem to be based on one specific point even if that POI covers a large area. If you zoom in on the part of that area that doesn't contain the specific point you don't get a label. This time you have to zoom out to get the detail! Turning each POI into an area rather than a point seems like a big job to me...

Inconsistencies with water. If I look at the South East of the UK I can see the river Thames snaking its way along. If I zoom in further it disappears again. And then zoom in a lot more and its back. Curious.

 

[Roofy.]

Fair enough of you was trolling but you still didn't answer his question. He asked about flyover, you replied about 3D.

All terrain worldwide is 3D, but not everywhere has flyover.

well thats what I meant. Flyover is 3D.

Anyway im sure maps will be greatly improved by fall. I figured this, if apple started developing the maps app only over a year ago, and have already gotten this far, then in a few months it will be even better. Stuff WILL improve by september.

 

[MacOSXAddict]

Can someone take a few pics of a couple maps for Calgary Alberta Canada in beta 2? Would love to see what detail Apple is adding up here.

Thanks

 

[majuha]

And some pics of Barcelona, Spain if you don't mind please? Thank you!

 

[MozMan68]

I'm pleased to say I was wrong about maps. Perhaps the back end wasn't ready, and they've switched in the production back end.

They're also making front end improvements too in Hybrid mode, the mapping is more pleasant on the eye. It's not quite perfect yet, but it's getting there.

Still some improvements to be made (mainly front end), but now the vector data seems to be there or thereabouts. It's only the rasters (and the 3D) that needs serious work, and to be honest that can be done easily on the fly.

Thank you for at least admitting that it has changed and that not only has it improved, but probably will even more in the next three months or so.

I think you are the only one so far.

 

[Zcott]

Dublin is still incredibly low-res.

 

[Inconsequential]

You live just down the road from me!

But nice to see the progression, still some work to go yet!

 

[cjmillsnun]

Thank you for at least admitting that it has changed and that not only has it improved, but probably will even more in the next three months or so.

I think you are the only one so far.

I'm still not entirely happy. However the improvements have been significant. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Stridder44]

Umm... given the results above i think the answer is both.
Map data will be a continuously updated and come live as it's processed.
The jump between Beta 1 and 2 even on the same day would also suggest that much improvement can come directly from the the on-device rendering engine. Code improvements to the engine are only going to be in iOS or Map.app updates.

I wonder if after release the Map.app will be a separate update instead of bundled with the OS from now on?

Interesting. Forgive my ignorance/if I'm off here, but it almost appears as though the Maps app is run in a similar fashion like Siri is. For example, Apple can make "changes" to Siri without having to release an iOS update (via the server backend). Is this new Maps app doing the same? People are posting images of changes that are occurring (before beta 2 even released), almost as if they were on the fly

 

[Jeremy1026]

Very happy to see that they are starting to populate NYC with traffic direction arrows...very useful when taking a taxi to the lower east side.

Uhh...when taking a taxi you navigate?

 

[DodgeV83]

Uhh...when taking a taxi you navigate?

If you make sure to get in the taxi on the more direct route (taxi doesn't have to turn around to start moving towards your destination), it will be a cheaper and faster fare

 

[8a22a]

Interesting. Forgive my ignorance/if I'm off here, but it almost appears as though the Maps app is run in a similar fashion like Siri is. For example, Apple can make "changes" to Siri without having to release an iOS update (via the server backend). Is this new Maps app doing the same? People are posting images of changes that are occurring (before beta 2 even released), almost as if they were on the fly

Definitely. We should start seeing changes on a daily basis or even hourly.

 

[chiefpavvy]

Wow, seems the fAndroids have been sent back to the cave for the most part. Them Maps are looking pretty nifty. Funny how that works with a BETA release of an operating system!

It is rather hilarious to look back at the threads/posts and realize that a bunch of these fools actually believed Apple would ship iOS 6 with Maps in poor condition.

 

[nfl46]

Haha. And we probably have like 4 or 5 more betas to come. It can only get better from here on.

 

[Jeremy1026]

If you make sure to get in the taxi on the more direct route (taxi doesn't have to turn around to start moving towards your destination), it will be a cheaper and faster fare

Wouldn't you know if the cab was going the right way on a one way street, assuming you know the general direction of your destination in relation to where you are?

 

[MattInOz]

Interesting. Forgive my ignorance/if I'm off here, but it almost appears as though the Maps app is run in a similar fashion like Siri is. For example, Apple can make "changes" to Siri without having to release an iOS update (via the server backend). Is this new Maps app doing the same? People are posting images of changes that are occurring (before beta 2 even released), almost as if they were on the fly

Yes like Siri, there seems to be two different improvement tracks. The server side which seems to be continuously happening. Then the device side improvement which seem like there tied to device updates.

 

[swingerofbirch]

All I can think of is this:

"Google? Yeah those guys did a pretty good job, but . . . "

Apple's just like Buster!

 

[cjmillsnun]

Definitely. We should start seeing changes on a daily basis or even hourly.

I doubt you'll see that. Possibly weekly. Apple are going to want to monitor the back end closely after different types of update while they optimise. Also they'll likely recache daily when they go live. Real time updates on such a large coverage wouldn't be practical.

----------

Wow, seems the fAndroids have been sent back to the cave for the most part. Them Maps are looking pretty nifty. Funny how that works with a BETA release of an operating system!

It is rather hilarious to look back at the threads/posts and realize that a bunch of these fools actually believed Apple would ship iOS 6 with Maps in poor condition.

I hope you're not calling me a fAndroid. I've owned many iPhones (never an Android phone) and am not tempted to switch. I was critical about maps because it is my day job.

I still think Apple have a long way to go in Maps. This is an update and is very significant.

Most of what will come will be tweaking. It looks like the base vector mapping is OK now. That's the biggie as far as I'm concerned.

The imagery and 3D stuff is effectively window dressing (and is much easier to load in the backend anywhere). What matters is the road layouts (the vector data). That's now there or thereabouts.

What will come will mainly be improved layer control and performance tweaks.

I'm prepared to give Apple the benefit of the doubt now as I've said.

 

[parkds]

Uhh...when taking a taxi you navigate?

For example: If you were going downtown on the FDR to Norfolk and Stanton in NYC, with street directions on the map you would ask the taxi to go to Suffolk and Stanton and walk a short block. If you didn't know street directions, you would end up going around the block and paying a few bucks more.

 

[Jeremy1026]

For example: If you were going downtown on the FDR to Norfolk and Stanton in NYC, with street directions on the map you would ask the taxi to go to Suffolk and Stanton and walk a short block. If you didn't know street directions, you would end up going around the block and paying a few bucks more.

You could always get into the Cash Cab and get paid to go for a ride.

 

[Telp]

All I can think of is this:

YouTube: video


"Google? Yeah those guys did a pretty good job, but . . . "

Apple's just like Buster!

I believe he follows with, "Obviously the blue part is the land..." I hope Apple is a little better than Buster...

 

[markrox7]

Has 3D or general mapping (hybrid view or standard view) improved for Chicago? In beta 1 it was already pretty good, but POIs were lacking.

Thanks.

 

[iPhoneApple]

I'm pleased to say I was wrong about maps. Perhaps the back end wasn't ready, and they've switched in the production back end.

They're also making front end improvements too in Hybrid mode, the mapping is more pleasant on the eye. It's not quite perfect yet, but it's getting there.

Still some improvements to be made (mainly front end), but now the vector data seems to be there or thereabouts. It's only the rasters (and the 3D) that needs serious work, and to be honest that can be done easily on the fly.

Have to agree with this. Excited for Maps. Hope they do a good job in smaller countries.