Side by side comparison of Google & Apple Maps at Kings Cross, London

[OllyW]

If that's the amount of detail present in the maps for one of the world's major cities I dread to think what we'll get where I live.

I hope Google are allowed to offer their maps in the app store.

 

[bp1000]

Apple maps certainly has some way to go. That limited information and disproportionate UI isn't good for navigating around London.

I will be using google maps in central london tomorrow and it always gets me where i need to be but that apple ui would be so hard to follow.

In use, its hard enough watching where your going etc without having to figure out where you are on google maps. The trunk road highlights and ui colouring make it much easier to quickly glance and see where you are.

 

[ajvizzgamer101]

Thanks for the comparison. Google's map looks more informative. I like simplistic, but I think that's a bit too simple of a map on the Apple side.

I don't think it's too simplistic... But I think it shows information slightly wrong.

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I like that the Apple maps don't display every name zoomed out. But not happy with the app as of now, yes it is a beta but betas at the very least function... this App doesn't work at all. It is very Alpha... like they put it together last month.

 

[blackhand1001]

Here's Google maps in the same spot on my galaxy nexus.

 

[steve-p]

Since they are using data from other iPhones I'd guess we won't see much traffic data till iOS 6 comes out of beta and more people are using it.

They have been collecting traffic data since iOS 5 came out (look in Location Services). So they ought to have plenty of people contributing. I guess it isn't switched on yet.

 

[swordfish5736]

I don't think it's too simplistic... But I think it shows information slightly wrong.

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I like that the Apple maps don't display every name zoomed out. But not happy with the app as of now, yes it is a beta but betas at the very least function... this App doesn't work at all. It is very Alpha... like they put it together last month.

It seems like some people are having lots of issues with crashes non-stop and some it works fine for. On my 4s the little I've played with it it hasn't crashed yet. I haven't had a chance to try out turn-by-turn yet though

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They have been collecting traffic data since iOS 5 came out (look in Location Services). So they ought to have plenty of people contributing. I guess it isn't switched on yet.

I think they've been collecting since before that there just wasn't an option to turn it off. Though I wonder if the traffic data in iOS 5 and lower is sent to google servers to load google traffic.

 

[steve-p]

I think they've been collecting since before that there just wasn't an option to turn it off. Though I wonder if the traffic data in iOS 5 and lower is sent to google servers to load google traffic.

Could be, I didn't think of that. Although it's probably using an intermediate Apple server, so they could use the data for both services going forward I guess.

 

[swordfish5736]

Could be, I didn't think of that. Although it's probably using an intermediate Apple server, so they could use the data for both services going forward I guess.

True, it'd make sense for them to use data from older devices, instead of relying on everyone to upgrade to ios 6.

The areas I am seeing traffic in(around DC metro area) is more detailed than google traffic. With the icons for wrecks, closures, and construction. I used to use inrix traffic for my commute as it did the same thing sort of.

 

[mushtama]

Am I the only person that actually likes google maps as it is? I mean it shows everything you need and I use it a lot to see the local area if I don't know the area well. The only thing it misses is the turn by turn - but I have a separate GPS app for that anyways. Have to be honest but I personally don't like the new maps interface - although I will make a final decision once its released officially.

 

[kevinof]

Yes.

Am I the only person that actually likes google maps as it is? .

 

[petsounds]

It's not just the lack of details and inaccuracy in the Apple map; the colors are really unpleasant to look at and pick out details from. Being Apple, I would at least expect them to do a better job on design than Google.

 

[swordfish5736]

used turn-by-turn for my drive home. I use my phone for music in the car thru an ipod kit. Siri read the directions thru the car speakers, the lock screen turns into a map with your current location as the background and where the clock would be becomes distance to your next turn(double tap of the home button brings the clock and ipod controls back. It looks like it puts itself into "3D" mode automatically when you do directions and little street signs pop up on all the streets you are passing.

 

[Reach9]

Somebody tell me that you can still use Google Maps on iOS.. or has Apple given it the kick completely? I hope Google comes out with a Maps app on the App Store.

I'll constantly feel like i'm in the middle of nowhere with Apple Maps.

 

[PhoneI]

I really wish that Steve Jobs was alive. I know that the maps app is in beta (i'm not complaining about its stability) but I think that it's poorly designed. Just like the recent update to the Apple TV's UI.

yes, we need some of the same magic he put into Ping!!!

 

[omgwut]

Apple's maps look horrid, I have no idea why they decided to get into this game in the first place. They have nothing to offer in the mapping services department that Google doesn't already do better.

 

[amorya]

Somebody tell me that you can still use Google Maps on iOS.. or has Apple given it the kick completely? I hope Google comes out with a Maps app on the App Store.

I'll constantly feel like i'm in the middle of nowhere with Apple Maps.

You could use it on the website, but there's no way to use Google Maps in the Maps app any more.

I also hope Google release their own app.

 

[omgwut]

It's not just the lack of details and inaccuracy in the Apple map; the colors are really unpleasant to look at and pick out details from. Being Apple, I would at least expect them to do a better job on design than Google.

I know, it looks just like the garbage UI on my old budget TomTom GPS device from like five years ago. The ugly pale peach terrain, the fluorescent lime green that looks like it was pulled from a color swatch in MS Paint from Windows 95, the various amateur-looking road symbols...

If nothing else the general visual presentation of the new maps was something I would expect Apple to have exceled at. They just look like trash.

 

[The Phazer]

Just remember that maps is Google's playground for the last couple of years. Of course the first version of anything other "what's currently best" (and what people are used to) won't be as top notch, but give it some time.

No.

Seriously, I already have a good mapping solution. Why would I possibly want to give Apple "time" after they make my phone worse?

Will Apple give me "time" (which may be years) before my cash clears?

 

[iBreatheApple]

Oh wow...

 

[amorya]

If nothing else the general visual presentation of the new maps was something I would expect Apple to have exceled at. They just look like trash.

Yeah. The more I see other maps, the better Google Maps looks. It seems that making a readable map isn't easy!

The big thing Apple should do is make the roads wider, and colour code them according to more levels of priority. Google has blue, green, orange, yellow, white (in the UK) — five levels of priority.

Also, more road names. Apple are way too conservative about how many to display at any given zoom level.

 

[miamialley]

I really WANT to like Apple's map implementation, but wow I don't.

 

[Cybbe]

Just remember that maps is Google's playground for the last couple of years. Of course the first version of anything other "what's currently best" (and what people are used to) won't be as top notch, but give it some time.

Why should we give it some time? Maps is one of the key features of a modern smartphone. I is something I use almost on a daily basis to get from A to B. I live in London. In fact, I used to live in that very area included in the introductory post. Google Maps on iOS is crucial in getting around the city. I would argue most iPhone uses have grown accustomed to high quality maps; this has been a defining feature since the first iPhone. If Apple drops the ball here, I will seriously consider holding off upgrading, and will seriously consider Android, for that reason and that reason only.

Maps are that important. I don't want to wait 2 years for them to get their act together (this look like data issues, not bugs a 3 month beta will iron out).

 

[Goldfinger]

Why should we give it some time? Maps is one of the key features of a modern smartphone. I is something I use almost on a daily basis to get from A to B. I live in London. In fact, I used to live in that very area included in the introductory post. Google Maps on iOS is crucial in getting around the city. I would argue most iPhone uses have grown accustomed to high quality maps; this has been a defining feature since the first iPhone. If Apple drops the ball here, I will seriously consider holding off upgrading, and will seriously consider Android, for that reason and that reason only.

Maps are that important. I don't want to wait 2 years for them to get their act together (this look like data issues, not bugs a 3 month beta will iron out).

My sentiments exactly.

I really wonder what Apple hopes to gain from this? Except a huge ego trip. They could have just added their 3D view on top of google maps and their crowd sourced traffic info mixed with google traffic info for extra accurate traffic information. They could've also just added turn by turn to the google maps. Unless Google prohibits this?

The current Apple maps are completely illegible IMHO. I also don't buy the "it's a beta" argument. No way that we will see the dramatic changes that brings it up to par with Gmaps in a few months.

You can't afford to put a headline app like maps in "beta". It's just too important an app. You can't expect people to wait again for years untill the app matures again, especially when Google maps is mature today and a perfectly good product.

 

[steve-p]

I think if Apple's terms with Google had allowed for turn by turn navigation, it would have already have been added long ago. That may have been one of the reasons for the change, but it's not about an ego trip, it's about $$$.

If it's not at least as good as the iOS5 and before version built on Google's data, on day 1 of the iOS6 release, Apple will get a great deal of negative media attention. So it had better be as good. They have been working on it a long time, and have huge technical and financial resources, so they don't get a free pass for being the new boys.