This New Yorker is pretty pissed about iOS 6 maps

[xthishero]

Hey OP, I currently live in NYC too and I understand completely your frustration. Which is while I'll be doing more research before updating. You should try the "Embark NYC" app. I've been using it and it works amazing. Although it doesn't give bus routes, but I tend to avoid buses most of the time anyway.

Just trying to help out

 

[rhett7660]

We don't like crybabies.

Sounds like a Yankee fan is in the house... If you say Mets,,,, ugh.

To the OP. I wouldn't worry until you see the final product. If then there is still items missing then you would have valid points behind this argument. This version is for developers to work with and use. This is not for public consumption.

 

[MSUSpartan]

I'm just pissed because I like Google Maps. It has a lot of information, clean interface, Street View. I hope Apple don't play games and hold up Google's iOS app version.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Sounds like a Yankee fan is in the house... If you say Mets,,,, ugh.

I should be a Mets fan since Queens is my home. But I gave up on them a long time ago.

 

[DodgeV83]

The thread is about the lack of public transit in the default map app. Whatever way you look at it, now getting pubic transport directions in iOS 6 will result in a significant degredation in ease of use, speed and usability. That is not good. Will you be able to fudge it at the cost of making the device much worse to use? Sure. But if I was interested in a device that was **** to use even if it just about did things I'd have bought Windows Mobile 6.5 rather than an iPhone and saved a lot of money.

Here is when I'm not following you. You're complaining about the functionality of the device, but you're using the default map application to substantiate your claim. No one has shown that the experience in public transit directions will be any different in iOS 6 with the Google Maps app, vs iOS 5 with the Google Maps app.

This is like saying Windows sucks for games, because the best game that comes preinstalled is Solitare.

 

[The Phazer]

Here is when I'm not following you. You're complaining about the functionality of the device, but you're using the default map application to substantiate your claim. No one has shown that the experience in public transit directions will be any different in iOS 6 with the Google Maps app, vs iOS 5 with the Google Maps app.

This is like saying Windows sucks for games, because the best game that comes preinstalled is Solitare.

No, I don't think you're understanding this here. The problem with the default map application being the Apple maps one is that the main way most people get into the maps application is not through the springboard. It's by following a link from another app, most of the time autocreated by the OS.

Clicking those links will not launch the Google Maps app. They'll launch the Apple one. Then you'll have to copy and paste potentially two locations (if using directions) out of that map into the Google Map app in order to get where you're going. If you're in another third party app that calls the systemwide maps API (such as Twitter) you'll have to go into the application's map screen, then refer that address into the default Apple map app, THEN copy and paste the address from the Apple map app to the Google one.

The user experience of this will be absolutely horrible.

If the OS allowed you to change which map application was selected by the OS in the event of finding a location link, then you could change it to the Google Maps app, and all would be fine. But you can't, and you can't do it in any other area so it ain't likely Apple are going to give you a choice.

Even worse for everyone all round, the OS now takes online links to the web based Google Maps (which are prevalent online) and directs them to the native app. Under iOS6 since the native app will be Apple's there's no chance of this continuing (it would be illegal without Google's permission, and WTF would Google allow it?). It's impossible to create a web link that launches a third party application in iOS, so these links couldn't point towards a new iOS Google maps app.

So now most of the links on the internet, which used to send us to a great native app, will instead end up linking to a ****** Google webapp, and webapps always suck. And you'll have to go through the copy and paste rigmarole in reverse if you want your compass to work.

Super.

 

[PDFierro]

^^

Exactly. We are talking about the ability to get transit directions from Google Maps here, and that feature would not change in a standalone app, but without it being the native app we would lose functionality. That is where Dodge is misunderstanding.

 

[Tinmania]

No, I don't think you're understanding this here. The problem with the default map application being the Apple maps one is that the main way most people get into the maps application is not through the springboard. It's by following a link from another app, most of the time autocreated by the OS.

Do you have any proof to backup this assertion? Most of the time I do get into the maps app from the springboard.



Michael

 

[sakau2007]

lol @ people saying "just don't upgrade" or "get an android"

pretty laughable responses while completely ignoring the fact that the new maps app is a step backwards in more ways than one which is what the OP was conveying.

i personally don't use public transit so this specific issue isn't a dealbreaker for me... but the fact that apple's map data is soooooo far behind google's is a big problem. and no, i'm not expecting a massive improvement between now and the fall. this maps app has been years in the making and it's a shell of the google version. why should i expect them to catch up, much less PASS google in 3 months?

 

[DodgeV83]

No, I don't think you're understanding this here. The problem with the default map application being the Apple maps one is that the main way most people get into the maps application is not through the springboard. It's by following a link from another app, most of the time autocreated by the OS.

Clicking those links will not launch the Google Maps app. They'll launch the Apple one. Then you'll have to copy and paste potentially two locations (if using directions) out of that map into the Google Map app in order to get where you're going. If you're in another third party app that calls the systemwide maps API (such as Twitter) you'll have to go into the application's map screen, then refer that address into the default Apple map app, THEN copy and paste the address from the Apple map app to the Google one.

The user experience of this will be absolutely horrible.

If the OS allowed you to change which map application was selected by the OS in the event of finding a location link, then you could change it to the Google Maps app, and all would be fine. But you can't, and you can't do it in any other area so it ain't likely Apple are going to give you a choice.

Even worse for everyone all round, the OS now takes online links to the web based Google Maps (which are prevalent online) and directs them to the native app. Under iOS6 since the native app will be Apple's there's no chance of this continuing (it would be illegal without Google's permission, and WTF would Google allow it?). It's impossible to create a web link that launches a third party application in iOS, so these links couldn't point towards a new iOS Google maps app.

So now most of the links on the internet, which used to send us to a great native app, will instead end up linking to a ****** Google webapp, and webapps always suck. And you'll have to go through the copy and paste rigmarole in reverse if you want your compass to work.

Super.

Gotcha, makes perfect sense. While it is possible to open an app directly from a URL, I doubt it will be implemented for Google Maps:

http://www.google.com/search?q=ios+open+app+from+url

I agree, that sucks.

 

[shandyman]

The thread is about the lack of public transit in the default map app.

You're not losing google maps transit crap as its on maps.google.com for use via safari.....

 

[Gutwrench]

What's amazing to me is people's (over)reaction to anything Apple does that they feel is not satisfactory.

Apple and their sheep like to claim they set the bar, so why shouldn't reasonable people speak up when in their opinion Apple didn't reach it?

 

[MozMan68]

Apple and their sheep like to claim they set the bar, so why shouldn't reasonable people speak up when in their opinion Apple didn't reach it?

Because they are commenting on something that hasn't had a full release yet.

This whole thread is about transit directions...which Maps WILL have.

 

[Gutwrench]

Moz, it's a messageboard where people exchange ideas and thoughts. I think the op's concerns are reasonable and worthy of being shared.

You say transit directions will be included, but what follows, to the op's point, is how maturely.

 

[MozMan68]

Moz, it's a messageboard where people exchange ideas and thoughts. I think the op's concerns are reasonable and worthy of being shared.

You say transit directions will be included, but what follows, to the op's point, is how maturely.

I think you need to read his original post. In summary:

"I live in New York and I love Google's transit option I now have on my iPhone. I can't believe Apple is getting rid of this and replacing it with turn-by-turn. Blah blah blah..."

He's complaining about something that WILL be in the final release and that he has NO way of trying out now since the third part info isn't available. It's like me starting a thread so I can complain about the features in the iPhone 5.

 

[Gutwrench]

Ok fair enough, but I have also read how the thread's conversation has evolved. Maybe I read in too much?

 

[MozMan68]

Yes...evolving badly by people who are making way too many assumptions. Maybe transit WILL suck once it is released...I doubt it though for reasons explained by the folks who have used Googles version way more than me and in more areas of the world.

 

[Frankied22]

Speaking of maps, I just passed a Google Car with the camera on I-94 E in Minnesota.

 

[Gutwrench]

Speaking of maps, I just passed a Google Car with the camera on I-94 E in Minnesota.

Toward the Twin Cities? My bet it's headed to Big Daddy's on University Ave in St. Paul.

 

[Frankied22]

I was heading east past Fergus Falls and it was headed west towards Fargo.

 

[Mad Mac]

Beta? Will it still be in beta at release like Siri is? Apple has jumped the shark. A company with as much money as Apple shouldn't be releasing something until it is polished and completely BLOWS AWAY the competition.

The new maps looks inferior to Google's solution and Siri is dumber than dirt.

 

[shandyman]

Beta? Will it still be in beta at release like Siri is?

Lol totally not the same thing. If you don't know the difference then you never will.

Maps will always be changing. We're not saying that on launch of ios 6 everywhere will have 3D maps, ultra hi res satellite images and that. Just that it's most likely gonna look much better than it does now.

Personally I've had great use with Siri and now we have the business search stuff that was previously US only, it can only get better.

 

[rnbgrilla]

If you listen to Scott Forstall in the WWDC keynote talk about partnering with 3rd party apps for transit information, you'll realize that Apple's tactic is to just present a list of apps you can get public transit directions from. I guess this is a win for developers, but a big lose for user experience. It won't be consistent and it won't be up to the standards we've come to expect. Whether Apple adds transit directions in a future release is anyone's guess.

More here: http://waxy.org/2012/06/busting_the_ios_6_transit_map_myths/

Oh, and to the OP: Jobs was certainly involved in the Maps overhaul. Something this big has been in the planning for at least a couple years. People need to stop invoking his name every time they don't like something Apple does. There was plenty to not like when he was still around!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqgZku2eI4
thats a video on maps trying to use 3party apps in ios6 for transit

 

[Mad Mac]

Lol totally not the same thing. If you don't know the difference then you never will.

Maps will always be changing. We're not saying that on launch of ios 6 everywhere will have 3D maps, ultra hi res satellite images and that. Just that it's most likely gonna look much better than it does now.

Personally I've had great use with Siri and now we have the business search stuff that was previously US only, it can only get better.

You've completely missed (or chose to ignore) the whole point.

Will the new maps be better than the current (and very stale) maps on iPhone now? Other than turn by turn which one can get from a third party it doesn't sound like it. No street view for one.

So why is Apple releasing it? Have they gone from a company making polished products for the consumer to just worrying about their bottom line and releasing half baked products just to avoid paying Google?

With all of Apple's billion$ in the bank, there is no reason to not release a polished product or continue paying Google until they can release a polished product.

Apple could've had their own street view and all the other goodies. They've known that they were going to move to their own mapping solution for years since they bought C3. I don't see a whole lot of development for all this time.

 

[shandyman]

You've completely missed (or chose to ignore) the whole point.

Will the new maps be better than the current (and very stale) maps on iPhone now? Other than turn by turn which one can get from a third party it doesn't sound like it. No street view for one.

So why is Apple releasing it? Have they gone from a company making polished products for the consumer to just worrying about their bottom line and releasing half baked products just to avoid paying Google?

With all of Apple's billion$ in the bank, there is no reason to not release a polished product or continue paying Google until they can release a polished product.

Apple could've had their own street view and all the other goodies. They've known that they were going to move to their own mapping solution for years since they bought C3. I don't see a whole lot of development for all this time.

Yes it is better. Yes you can get turn by turn, but you have to pay for a decent one. This is free and integrated, plus voice controlled by Siri is something you don't get.

If you did your research, C3 had started their own street view, so there's no reason this won't make an appearance, but it will take time, it took many years for google to get street view to be worthwhile with content, apple is prioritising flyover, which is fairly decent where it's been enabled in the beta.

Apple are releasing it for many reasons, to ditch google, who have not long increased their fees for access to businesses to access googles map data, plus they obviously felt their maps are useable. Which they seem to be mostly. It's been a couple of years since apple have been rumoured to have started their own maps. Apple started from scratch and integrated many mapping companies they acquired, it's no mean feat.

It's not half baked, you're judging it on beta one. Things can/will change by release.

Me, and many others, would take turn by turn over street view. People have been clamouring for it for years and they had to ditch google as google would not allow it.