Roundup of Features in Google Maps for iOS: Better Design than Android Version, iPad Version Coming

[The Phazer]

The bottom line is Apple can't be dependent on a competitor (Google) for a critical service (mapping). They just can't.

Of course they can. Just like they're dependent on Google for video streaming. Just like they're dependent on Microsoft for document formatting support. Just like they're dependent on Facebook and Twitter for social networking. Just like they're dependent on Samsung for hardware production.

There is no harm in using the market leader. Apple make money on hardware. They don't make money on maps. They just want the best maps they can to sell more hardware.

And lets not forget here, this debacle has proven (beyond all doubt that might have existed before) that Apple IS dependent on Google for maps. Because Apple demonstrably cannot even get close on their own.

So yes, Google Maps is back in to stanch the bleeding from the major flesh wound that is the new Apple Maps, but Apple can't turn back now. They have to keep working Apple Maps until it is equivalent to - or better than - Google Maps. Yes, it is a big challenge. No, Apple can't avoid it.

They're going to have to. Now Google Maps is available and will take majority marketshare, why would businesses or engaged consumers make sure Apple Maps is up to date? It's going to fall even further behind, not improve.

Next step: Apple search.

Only if Apple are truly, truly stupid.

 

[UnfetteredMind]

I agree that it would be in Apple's best interest to have their own mapping application.

Forstall was an existing issue, but others got canned to due to Maps, which, if had gone well, may well be still at Apple.

Apple Maps was a major feature of iOS 6.. which doesn't work well. Apple rushed it out before it was ready. The release of maps was badly managed - they didn't even call it "Beta", and Apple had known that there were critical issues before its release. Maybe Apple should have delayed maps release until iOS7?

Apple have probably come out of this worse than Google. Personally, I wouldn't start using the words "Win" or "Lose" - and are over used in these forums.. Apple have suffered more negativity than Google. Google have actually done pretty well out of this IMO - that is - has been great publicity for Google Maps.

Agreed

I wonder if they'd delayed the new Apple Maps app, where we'd be today? Likely this new version of Google Maps wouldn't be out for iOS since Apple's Maps app that relied on Google data would still be the default. Thus, no *default* built-in turn-by-turn (although still other apps available to provide this).

In the end, we are where we are, and speculating doesn't do much

 

[The Phazer]

I think this may be an important part of Google's strategy that many of the folks on this forum do not realize. With Google providing a map app that is (or is perceived to be) better than Apple's and with Google getting positive press from this, it's easy to see how this could cause some people to pause and think "well, if Google's map app is this great, I wonder what else is so great about Android?" I'm not saying an overwhelming number of long-time iOS users will think this, but there will certainly be some folks who do and that number is bound to increase as Google apps for iOS become better.

Yep.

And if people don't think that happens: iTunes.

 

[SnowLeopard OSX]

When does the iPad app come out?

 

[Gasu E.]

Better than the Android version? I like the sound of that.

This would not have happened had Apple not pulled Google Maps in the first place.

 

[Tucom]

Oh great - many thanks!

----------

Has anyone else noticed a horrible battery life, when using this app?

There's another comment like this one in this thread as well. Does this app really drain your battery?


Let's hope Google is on those bugfixes!

 

[benspratling]

Google Maps is like Gollum guiding me to Mt. Doom...

Sure it actually takes me where I want to go, but it's butt ugly. The street labels are as small as Gollum's loin cloth, but at least the streets are labeled. The interface is entirely non-intuitive but I usually manage to perform the right gesture to reveal the secret hidden panel with the feature I want within 4 or 5 tries. In the end, Gollum's goal isn't to help you destroy the ring, but to get it back, and Google's goal isn't to improve your iPhone, it's to get you to buy android, other-wise, they would have designed an iOS app instead of using entirely Android-isms in the UI. Fortunately, Android UI is awful so I think people are gonna realize why they keep their iPhones. End lesson: Google knows location data and Apple knows interfaces. Too bad the Lady of the Wood couldn't have been Frodo's guide to Mordor.
Edit: Can't find my contacts? Seriously?

 

[SirHaakon]

Is there really no way to search for one of your contacts using this app? It's completely useless if that's the case...

 

[satchow]

can anyone confirm if voice turn by turn works over Bluetooth like it does it for Apple Maps?

I can hear it over my car speakers while im playing a podcast over bluetooth if that's what you mean.

 

[Idefix]

It's time for an official obituary for Apple Maps!

Apple Maps: rest in peace!

 

[LagunaSol]

Just like they're dependent on Facebook and Twitter for social networking.

Facebook and Twitter are not Apple competitors.

Only if Apple are truly, truly stupid.

"Truly stupid" would be letting Google continue to play both sides of the fence. Give a free OS to Asian KIRF manufacturers to drain Apple hardware sales while simultaneously making money on Apple's platform via search services.

Any first-year business student can recognize that this is not an acceptable position for Apple to be in.

 

[cav23j]

I can hear it over my car speakers while im playing a podcast over bluetooth if that's what you mean.

k thanks

 

[benspratling]

Is there really no way to search for one of your contacts using this app? It's completely useless if that's the case...

I just tried searching for a contact, no luck. You're right, if it can't get my list of places, it's useless. Ok. Both apps are useless..... except, I live in Dallas, where the Apple data is really good, so, congrats Apple, you win this round.

 

[Plutonius]

Apple Maps has issues..... This is blatantly obvious....

Image vs Image

I didn't say that Apple maps didn't have issues for some people (mostly people not in the US). What I said is that "I have not had any issues at all with Apple maps and will most likely continue to use it". If you have issues with Apple maps, feel free to use whatever works for you. I still can't understand why some people get upset when others state that they have no issues with Apple maps.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

Sure it actually takes me where I want to go, but it's butt ugly. The street labels are as small as Gollum's loin cloth, but at least the streets are labeled. The interface is entirely non-intuitive but I usually manage to perform the right gesture to reveal the secret hidden panel with the feature I want within 4 or 5 tries. In the end, Gollum's goal isn't to help you destroy the ring, but to get it back, and Google's goal isn't to improve your iPhone, it's to get you to buy android, other-wise, they would have designed an iOS app instead of using entirely Android-isms in the UI. Fortunately, Android UI is awful so I think people are gonna realize why they keep their iPhones. End lesson: Google knows location data and Apple knows interfaces. Too bad the Lady of the Wood couldn't have been Frodo's guide to Mordor.

I don't know about all of these Lord of the Rings references, but I have to agree on one point: Apple's UI for Maps beats the hell out of Google's. Google Maps is full featured, but ugly and pretty darn clunky. I'm still going to enjoy using it for all of the features that Maps doesn't have (namely Street View), but for turn by turn I'll still rely on Apple's Maps, which so far has done a great job for me.

Oh, and I tried out Google's turn by turn today to go to a nearby Office Max. Right general location, but off by quite a bit. t

 

[Gobeatty]

Unless I'm missing something, there is no way to avoid part of a route or set specific routing options (fastest, fuel efficient, scenic, etc) in either Google or Apple maps. Long story short, that means neither is an enterprise navigation app. Anyone who wants serious navigation needs to buy TomTom or the like.

In other words, this isn't as big a deal as people are making it out to be.

Yes - and you will need TomTom, Navigon etc if you anticipate going anywhere that is a Cellular dead zone. Many of our local parks in Virginia, US are dead zones, so I use TomTom often to navigate out of the parks.

 

[malnar]

Any way to turn down the voice navigation volume? I don't like how it lowers my music/podcast's volume to yell at me. Man is it verbose too, not sure how much I like that.

All in all a good app, excellent for a 1.0 with plenty to improve for 2.0.

Exact opposite problem here. WAY too quiet on my iPhone and I can't figure out how to make it louder. I can barely hear it. I've submitted that as a suggestion via the app. You should do the same (shake your iPhone and you'll get the options to submit).

 

[Mark Booth]

I predict that Google's new Maps app will become the single most-downloaded app in the iTunes app store, ever! I also predict that millions of iOS users will switch to using Google's new Maps app whenever they can. I further predict that the popularity of Google's Maps app is going to negatively impact the amount of user data & feedback that Apple desperately needs to continue to improve its own mapping efforts.

Goggle won't stop improving and innovating. Therefore, Google's mapping data is a "moving target." A target that Apple will never be able to catch.

Apple needs to abandon its folly of trying to reinvent the wheel. Apple owes it to its users to sit down with Google and ink a deal to return the Apple Maps app to its former glory. Namely, a UI designed by Apple with mapping data supplied by Google. Yes, it can have turn by turn. Yes, it can have street view. And, yes, it could still have flyover. The best of EVERYTHING.

The best user experience!... Isn't that what Apple has always promised its customers? Isn't that why we buy Apple products?

Or, at the VERY least, Apple should allow users to decide which Maps app we want to use as the "default" Maps app in iOS. Let US decide if we want Google's Maps app to be the one that is launched when we touch an address in our contacts list.

Mark

 

[notabadname]

You don't seriously believe this do you?

At what cost?

Lets see a few items that Apple have had to endure:
* huge amounts of negative media coverage due to Apple Maps
* Execs canned
* Extra costs involved ( $$ and resources ) to correct mapping errors
* Unhappy users

Do you think the Google Maps with navigation outweigh all the negatives Apple have gone through?

Yes. Apple called Google's bluff frankly - give us Turn-by-turn, and all features that you provide other hardware, or we will go it alone. Less than half a year later, Google has their Maps App back on the iPhone with all the features that Apple desired and it is better than the Android version. If anyone chose not to buy an iPhone for absence of Google Maps, this omitted that failing. No one out there is choosing not to buy an iPhone because there has been a revamping of Apple's management structure. And Apple developing a mapping structure is a very good thing. They will continue to develop their Map application, in parallel, with no impact on sales. And 5 years from now, they will have a backup plan and capability in case there is another falling out with Google. It is too important of a feature in a smart phone for Apple not to create an in-house capability, and have it ready and polished.

 

[blulegend]

Another feature - you can zoom with one finger. Double tap and hold then move your finger up or down to zoom.

This is amazing! Thank you. I have wanted this feature for years and they have implemented it perfectly. Google should have a tips section like they've had in the past for shortcuts like these.

 

[Gobeatty]

I don't know about all of these Lord of the Rings references, but I have to agree on one point: Apple's UI for Maps beats the hell out of Google's. Google Maps is full featured, but ugly and pretty darn clunky. I'm still going to enjoy using it for all of the features that Maps doesn't have (namely Street View), but for turn by turn I'll still rely on Apple's Maps, which so far has done a great job for me.

Oh, and I tried out Google's turn by turn today to go to a nearby Office Max. Right general location, but off by quite a bit. t

+1. I am a fan of Apple Maps. It gets a lot right, but I am on northern Virginia, US, where the data are rather good. I would boot it if I lived where it didn't know where anything was. Then again, I feel google maps has been touted as perfect when it is not. I appreciate what the amazing google team have done and acknowledge the data are better I do like, though, the apple maps turn by turn and how I can pull up, at the end, a list that shows the street number I am looking for. First nav app I have used that does this. Saves me having to go back into Contacts or Safari to see the house/address number I was looking for. That said, I'm glad google maps is back in force. Better searching and offers transit directions, so whoo hoo!!!

Suspect I will use both going forward. Nothing quite like asking Siri to 'take me home' and not having to touch the device again.

 

[Mark Booth]

BTW, there are already nearly 10,000 5-star reviews of Google's Maps app on the iTunes App Store. I found this one to be particularly humorous!

Mark

 

[twigman08]

Google Maps is still horribly slow on the iPhone 4. Lags like no other. I bring up the menu on the right side and it lags like no other. I move the maps around and it also lags and won't quite move with my finger.

I honestly believe this is because they are including features that Apple didn't include on this device and I think I'm starting to see why they didn't. Makes it close to impossible to use on my iPhone 4. Sad too because I think the app is gorgeous and I don't see what's wrong with the UI or gestures. Within a minute of using the app I knew all the gestures without looking at the tutorial or reading hints here. Not hard at all to navigate.

Now if only Google could use vectors like Apple is on their map. It'd make it much more pleasant. That's more than likely the only thing I like about Apple Maps over Google Maps. Would more than likely help the lag greatly.

 

[qwimjim]

Yes. Apple called Google's bluff frankly - give us Turn-by-turn, and all features that you provide other hardware, or we will go it alone. Less than half a year later, Google has their Maps App back on the iPhone with all the features that Apple desired and it is better than the Android version. If anyone chose not to buy an iPhone for absence of Google Maps, this omitted that failing. No one out there is choosing not to buy an iPhone because there has been a revamping of Apple's management structure. And Apple developing a mapping structure is a very good thing. They will continue to develop their Map application, in parallel, with no impact on sales. And 5 years from now, they will have a backup plan and capability in case there is another falling out with Google. It is too important of a feature in a smart phone for Apple not to create an in-house capability, and have it ready and polished.

so many of you seriously don't get it, apple did not get their way, google did. apple wanted google to provide voice navigation in the APPLE app. google said no, it wanted branding (ie for the app to be called Google Maps instead of Maps) and wanted to be able to display revenue generating ads in the app. basically google wanted its own ios app. APPLE did not agree to these conditions and instead developed their own app, which failed, and paved the way for google to release their app with everything they wanted (and more), bathed in a tsunami of positive press and thanks from iphone users. google could not have played this better, apple could not have played this worse.

google got what it wanted and the most positive press its gotten in years. apple got nothing it wanted and the most negative press it's gotten in years. it's mind boggling to me that some people don't understand this.

 

[LagunaSol]

Apple owes it to its users to sit down with Google and ink a deal to return the Apple Maps app to its former glory. Namely, a UI designed by Apple with mapping data supplied by Google.

How do you partner with a company who has made itself your biggest competitor - by supplying free arms to Asian hardware companies to attack your core business (hardware sales)?

Google can't have things both ways.