This New Yorker is pretty pissed about iOS 6 maps

[Mortalias]

I am puzzled over Apple's decision to dump Google maps myself. It's one thing to phase out a cheap product that doesn't work as intended. But it's another to remove a damn good app with deep capabilities and functionality.

Like the OP said, this is nothing more than a petty toddler match between two tech behemoths at the playground. Unfortunately it will be the consumer who loses.

 

[nburwell]

If the OP is so pissed off at Apple for doing away with Google Maps, then maybe they should consider selling their iPhone and purchase an Android phone. Problem solved.

 

[szolr]

Every major developmet in tech has a beginning followed by an improvement phase. It doesn't just suddenly drop out of the sky. Granted, at first Apple Maps isn't going to be anywhere near as fgood as Google maps for the 'advanced user'. I guarantee you the average user won't notice the difference though. The OP is clearly no average user. Google maps doesn't help me at all in London with bus routes or the tube. So what do I care if Apple maps doesn't ewither? Big deal.

If we want to put an optimistic spin on things... Apple may blo0w some of its billions on new mapping companies to help it get up to par more quickly. I'm sure they will. The only question is: how many billions?

 

[dontwalkhand]

This is pretty lame. It is like saying it has built in turn by turn, but when you go to start it, it displays a list of apps that do turn by turn like Navigon or Telenav.

Don't come out with a product that is inferior to the one it replaced and say its ok.

On the other hand, Valley Metro's mobile site will provide me with better directions and routes than Google can ever try to do. Why not just use your TA's mobile site/app?

 

[geoffm33]

I am puzzled over Apple's decision to dump Google maps myself. It's one thing to phase out a cheap product that doesn't work as intended. But it's another to remove a damn good app with deep capabilities and functionality.

Like the OP said, this is nothing more than a petty toddler match between two tech behemoths at the playground. Unfortunately it will be the consumer who loses.

There is probably more to the store than playground bickering. Here are a few pieces of info already posted:

realeric posts a quote from a WSJ article here

heliox8614 posts a quote regarding the decision to handle transit directions in the fashion they are with iOS6 here

 

[pmz]

I'm sure there's probably already been a thread started about this, but it bears repeating.

As someone who lives in New York City (along with more than 8 million others), I use the public transportation routing feature on the iPhone's Maps app on an almost daily basis. Google's work in this area is really superb. Unlike the standalone NYC subway apps, Google's routing will actually include buses in my route (particularly useful on the far east side of Manhattan or the outer boroughs). Of course, there's also ferries, NJ Transit, LIRR, Metro North, and Amtrak integrated right in, along with the incredibly useful scheduling options.

And now, Apple gets rid of all of this and replaces it with turn-by-turn navigation which, for someone who doesn't own a car and drives a handful of times a year, is completely ****ing useless. And what else.. oh, no street view, ugly map tiles with garish colors and a flyover feature that's a complete novelty. So now I'm supposed to find mass transit routes through multiple standalone apps, which even together won't be able to duplicate the incredible ease and usefulness of Google's solution? This "third party developers do transit routing better than we do" bull from Apple is just a complete cop out.

And for what? So Apple can continue their immature little grudge match with Google, completely screwing millions of people who live in big cities and rely on mass transit in the process? What an unbelievably stupid move. If Steve Jobs were still around, I find it hard to believe he would allow a rollout of a redesign that would eliminate so many features like this.

So what do people like me do? Hold off on updating to iOS 6 I suppose. Hopefully Google releases a standalone maps app, but given Apple's immaturity in ditching their superior implementation in the first place, who knows if it will even get their approval? Apple might've even alienated them enough at this point that they won't bother developing one. If that's the case, hopefully some kind of jailbreak solution will allow me to keep the old maps app. I'd be lying if I said all this wasn't pushing me to consider Android.

Apple... is it too much to ask that you don't take away major features in your products that people actively rely on!? ****ing idiots.

Who cares. Most people use Maps for driving. You want google maps, go to Google.com/maps

Or

Wait for the obvious Google Maps app to hit the app store. Clearly you don't need iOS 6 beta, or iOS 6 at all.

 

[Tinmania]

This is pretty lame. It is like saying it has built in turn by turn, but when you go to start it, it displays a list of apps that do turn by turn like Navigon or Telenav.

Except all they said was that it has turn by turn, which it does. That is, I expect, a big improvement for most iPhone owners.

I just tested turn by turn and it was far better than trying to use the old maps app for that. It also does things other nav apps do not, or cannot. The lack of detail, while driving, turned out making it easier to follow. The huge banner at the top of the screen made it very easy to see where the next turn was, at a glance. It also kept right on going when I lost all signal for 5-8 minutes.

I don't think Maps is going to be the disaster some are predicting. Google won't just disappear either: if you want it you will still be able to get it.





Michael

 

[ProphetX]

Not sure if anyone has posted this link. But here's the reasoning.
http://m.gizmodo.com/5919324/why-theres-no-public-transit-in-ios-6yet?tag=apple

Now seriously quit crying. This is apple were talkin about. The my valuable company in the world. They tend to think of thing you nor I would even imagine.

 

[PDFierro]

Just to add, while I am as upset as the OP is, I completely get why Apple isn't including transit directions and is relying on third-party apps. From their standpoint, it makes complete sense. But for those of us who would heavily use that feature, we're screwed.

Again, those saying it's only a beta and that something will later be included, no. A new feature like this is not going to be added, plus Apple has already stated their solution for this. And secondly, while using the web app would work, it won't be as effective. You lose so much functionality, although it would work in a pinch. And while using a possible Google Maps standalone app would provide almost the same functionality (aside from the bonuses that come with using the native map app on the OS), we shouldn't have to resort to that.

Again, there is a reason to be mad. But I'm going to take a step back here and say that we can't really blame Apple. They wanted to kickstart their new maps application, and it was going to come at a cost. Of course version 1.0 of their maps isn't going to be as robust as Google Maps.

And it would take a lot of effort for the transit information that comes with Google Maps to be included in Apple Maps. So the route Apple is taking, it's pretty smart.

I'm still upset, but looking at it objectively now, I don't think we can simply cry about it. Many of the points in the OP are spot-on, but you have to look at why Apple is doing it this year.

However, being the car-free person I am, this would be a feature I would use heavily. And I'm moving to a new city in the next few months, too. I'm also in the market for a smartphone, and I can't say with certainty that I'll be using an iPhone.

Our choices are basically to stay on iOS 5, or go to another platform. Even Windows Phone 8, announced today, provides an awesome solution. There is Android, too. But we're all here because we prefer iOS and the iPhone.

I also don't think this is some rare feature that most people don't use. We certainly aren't power map users just because we use transit directions.

 

[mjaco002]

Google Transit - Not accurate

The Google's transit is crap and not accurate. I used that for two weeks and I kept missing my bus and train.

I had to switch to another developer app for the correct timings of the bus and train. And it is free. Try Smart Ride for bus schedule's

 

[shandyman]

I am puzzled over Apple's decision to dump Google maps myself.

As well as Geoffm's post, another factor is that google charges apple for access to maps, recently google upped the price, so apple and other companies are dropping google maps due to this.

And I'm another one that thinks googles transit sucks balls. It just does not work well in the UK where I've tried using it, for London, Newbury, reading, Chelmsford and Peterborough. It listed buses that don't exist, times were way off and just rubbish. I stuck with 3rd party apps and a web app to get around as they were accurate and even had live departure times, showing delays.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Not sure if anyone has posted this link. But here's the reasoning.
http://m.gizmodo.com/5919324/why-theres-no-public-transit-in-ios-6yet?tag=apple

That's not the reasoning; that's some after-the-fact justification someone came up with. If Apple were committed to maintaining the user experience we have now they could've at least made the effort to compile this data and even paid off some of the local agencies if they had to. It's not like they're not already paying Tom Tom and investing money in redoing Maps in numerous other ways. And if Vienna and a handful of other local agencies don't cooperate, having most of the data is still better than nothing.

Now seriously quit crying. This is apple were talkin about. The my valuable company in the world. They tend to think of thing you nor I would even imagine.

Like how they thought of stripping down Final Cut and pissing off pretty much everyone who used that program for professional grade video editing?

But it's obvious you don't use transit directions on your iPhone, because if you did I have to imagine you wouldn't appreciate having to launch a separate app just to get the functionality you have now. And since this subject apparently doesn't affect you, might I kindly suggest you stop accusing people who this does matter to of "crying?" The door is over there; thanks.

 

[ProphetX]

That's not the reasoning; that's some after-the-fact justification someone came up with. If Apple were committed to maintaining the user experience we have now they could've at least made the effort to compile this data and even paid off some of the local agencies if they had to. It's not like they're not already paying Tom Tom and investing money in redoing Maps in numerous other ways. And if Vienna and a handful of other local agencies don't cooperate, having most of the data is still better than nothing.



Like how they thought of stripping down Final Cut and pissing off pretty much everyone who used that program for professional grade video editing?

But it's obvious you don't use transit directions on your iPhone, because if you did I have to imagine you would've appreciate having to launch a separate app just to get the functionality you have now. And since this subject apparently doesn't affect you, might I kindly suggest you stop accusing people who this does matter to of "crying?" The door is over there; thanks.

Thats just one of many articles that have come up on the situation. Like i said in one of my previous posts. Apples method will most likely turn out to be the best.

 

[mrsir2009]

Oh I'm jus going to stick with my jailbroken iOS5. iOS6 is looking worse by the day.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Just to add, while I am as upset as the OP is, I completely get why Apple isn't including transit directions and is relying on third-party apps. From their standpoint, it makes complete sense. But for those of us who would heavily use that feature, we're screwed.

Again, those saying it's only a beta and that something will later be included, no. A new feature like this is not going to be added, plus Apple has already stated their solution for this. And secondly, while using the web app would work, it won't be as effective. You lose so much functionality, although it would work in a pinch. And while using a possible Google Maps standalone app would provide almost the same functionality (aside from the bonuses that come with using the native map app on the OS), we shouldn't have to resort to that.

Again, there is a reason to be mad. But I'm going to take a step back here and say that we can't really blame Apple. They wanted to kickstart their new maps application, and it was going to come at a cost. Of course version 1.0 of their maps isn't going to be as robust as Google Maps.

And it would take a lot of effort for the transit information that comes with Google Maps to be included in Apple Maps. So the route Apple is taking, it's pretty smart.

I'm still upset, but looking at it objectively now, I don't think we can simply cry about it. Many of the points in the OP are spot-on, but you have to look at why Apple is doing it this year.

However, being the car-free person I am, this would be a feature I would use heavily. And I'm moving to a new city in the next few months, too. I'm also in the market for a smartphone, and I can't say with certainty that I'll be using an iPhone.

Our choices are basically to stay on iOS 5, or go to another platform. Even Windows Phone 8, announced today, provides an awesome solution. There is Android, too. But we're all here because we prefer iOS and the iPhone.

I also don't think this is some rare feature that most people don't use. We certainly aren't power map users just because we use transit directions.

Agree with most of your points; and yes, I prefer iOS and the iPhone in many ways and have invested a lot of trust in Apple's products.

I'm ultimately less forgiving though. The user experience is important, and Apple is supposed to care about this more than most. And everyone knows you pay a premium to use Apple products. I thought part of the deal was that everything is just supposed to work; I'm not supposed to have to cope with annoying workarounds for things. That's Microsoft.

Yes, it's understandable Apple's maps wouldn't be as good as Google's right off the bat, but who says they had to launch them now? Why not just pay Google off for another half a year or a year if they have to while they perfect it? It's not like they don't have the money to. I think that's what you do if you truly care about maintaining the user experience.

So, I post a link to information that is arguably the most relevant to the thread topic in the entire thread, and get not a single response.
All I see are posts arguing the definition of the word beta. Lol
Makes me think that people just want to argue and/or prove themselves right, regardless of whether or not it's actually relevant to the thread.
Mainly, I'd like to get the thoughts of the OP on the link I posted. It might not make him any happier with the changes, but might explain why Apple is choosing this path.

You're right, it doesn't make me any happier with the changes. There may be some truth to the reasoning the author puts forth, but as I said earlier, Apple could've at least tried to cull transit data. At the end of the day, there's going to be a fair number of unhappy mass transit users when they discover this, whether they're familiar with whatever Apple's reasons are or not.

But thanks for sharing; very interesting read.

 

[DodgeV83]

And while using a possible Google Maps standalone app would provide almost the same functionality (aside from the bonuses that come with using the native map app on the OS), we shouldn't have to resort to that.

What's the issue here? If you can download the app from the AppStore, and put it exactly where it is now, and it functions in exactly the same way, what's wrong with that? Am I missing something?

 

[The Phazer]

Google maps doesn't help me at all in London with bus routes or the tube.

Yes it does. Maybe you should try, y'know, actually using it. Google maps has done very, very good bus mapping in London for months.

----------

What's the issue here? If you can download the app from the AppStore, and put it exactly where it is now, and it functions in exactly the same way, what's wrong with that? Am I missing something?

It can't function in exactly the same way, as it won't be available for API calls into third party maps, or available to link from from calendar, safari, mail, Facebook etc etc.

3rd party apps aren't allowed to function in the same way as iOS apps. If we could purge Apple's hopeless attempt and actually use something else to the same level of sophistication, we'd just bloody do it.

 

[bjones521]

Ive read a lot of this thread now and why is it that when you criticize apple people always tell you go to Android???

I like my iPhone!!!

I just moved to Chicago and I use transit every damn day! it just works 100%. Im sorry for you people that don't use public transit but MILLIONS of people do.

 

[DodgeV83]

Yes it does. Maybe you should try, y'know, actually using it. Google maps has done very, very good bus mapping in London for months.

----------



It can't function in exactly the same way, as it won't be available for API calls into third party maps, or available to link from from calendar, safari, mail, Facebook etc etc.

3rd party apps aren't allowed to function in the same way as iOS apps. If we could purge Apple's hopeless attempt and actually use something else to the same level of sophistication, we'd just bloody do it.

Ok, that makes sense, but that's not what this thread is about right? This thread is complaining about public transit, the lack of API calls and such wouldn't limit a standalone Google Maps app from giving public transit directions.

 

[Reddkryten]

I just moved to Chicago and I use transit every damn day! it just works 100%. Im sorry for you people that don't use public transit but MILLIONS of people do.

I also use public transport and I honestly don't see a problem.

I am certainly not an apple fan boy, I hate it when they limit my choices (still waiting on Blu-Ray playback, lyrics on the iPad, an app which can play flash files when I need to view them, ability to attach more than one file etc!) but in this case I can see what Apple are doing and it makes sense to me.

On my iPad right now is an app called Journey Pro, which provides me with almost all the public transport info I need. This is a UK app but surely there must be an equivalent for Chicago or New York? If not, then hopefully by the time iOS6 comes out someone will have released it.

When iOS 6 is released in a few months, if people can't find public transport info and are annoyed, I will be the first to join you in screaming at Apple for downgrading the maps app. However if in a few months, there are a bunch of very good public transport apps which do exactly what google already does...then what is the problem?

 

[The Phazer]

Ok, that makes sense, but that's not what this thread is about right? This thread is complaining about public transit, the lack of API calls and such wouldn't limit a standalone Google Maps app from giving public transit directions.

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.

 

[shandyman]

Yes it does. Maybe you should try, y'know, actually using it. Google maps has done very, very good bus mapping in London for months.

I've tried it, it's rubbish. Plus there's a couple of London underground apps that are SIGNIFICANTLY better. Like tubemap.

 

[MozMan68]

After reading these threads for days, I'm starting to laugh at the people on here that think they actually know better than the 100's of folks at Apple who are actually working on this and have probably thought of EVERY single issue mentioned here if not 1,000 more.

 

[geoffm33]

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.

Is there a source for this? Not being snarky, I haven't read anything yet on what the user experience will be like when they hook in the public transportation to Apple Maps.

 

[MozMan68]

Is there a source for this? Not being snarky, I haven't read anything yet on what the user experience will be like when they hook in the public transportation to Apple Maps.

Bingo....it was clearly mentioned as being available at WWDC, it is in the beta (although not functional yet)...so NO ONE has had a chance to even try it yet. But that doesn't stop people from complaining about something they have never seen or even tried yet.

I'm a "glass half full" type of person and trust that Apple will outshine Google in the respects of the public transportation portion. I don't use it where I live, but have when I have traveled to major cities for work. Nice feature, but I usually end up going to the third party site for details, ticket purchase, etc.