Tim Cook Publishes Open Letter on Maps for iOS 6

[iChrist]

It's not like a paper map you fool. And yeah it's not hard to come up with a drug. Testing it is the problem. Stick to what you know - might not be very much I realize.

Oh wow, "coming up" with a drug is easy! Maybe you should go to Pfizer or BMS and give them some ideas since their pipeline is so shallow. You can say "He blokes, here's a bloody molecule that cures 'diabeetus' and it don't get metabolized by any CYP450 enzymes and it's elimination is not affected by renal function. Go test it mateys!"

You would be rich mate! And by the time you retire, the geniuses at Apple might have caught up to Microsoft, Google, Mapquest, Tomtom, Garmin, and the many other companies who already managed to do maps as a side project.

gday matey!
lol

 

[Ryan John]

I've said it on twitter and I'll say it again: I have had better experience with Apple's new Maps app on iOS 6 / iPhone 5 in the last week than any other time using a GPS prior.

I am new to turn-by-turn directions, late to the party - yes, but I put it to good use in Maps on iOS 6, driving through DC and into MD and it felt like magic. Truly.

Maps on iOS 6 is one of my favorite new features.

That's my experience.



bp

And therein lies the problem, you have never used a decent mapping solution for turn by turn, so you are impressed with a half finished implementation.

 

[AlexJaye]

And therein lies the problem, you have never used a decent mapping solution for turn by turn, so you are impressed with a half finished implementation.

Let them revel in the ignorance. Don't break a heart!

 

[cisco1138]

Not to mention all their other online services failure like MobileMe or Ping...

That brings to mind their once awesome video editing suite, Final Cut Pro...
...The new Final Cut X looks like the bastard child of Final Cut Pro and iMovie!

 

[iphoneclassic]

And therein lies the problem, you have never used a decent mapping solution for turn by turn, so you are impressed with a half finished implementation.

If you recall early days of iPhone, people open Safari and give a demo of New York Times webpage and praise how fast it is, without realizing they are on WiFi and that page is cached in the browser memory with so many demos.

It hasn't been a week since this POS Maps is released and people say they fall in love.

 

[435713]

I am sure in some locations there are real problems with the maps. On the other hand I do have to wonder how much things could possibly be overblown.

Look at any Apple article on a site with a rating system for comments of some sort, and look at the sheer rage and hatred for anything Apple. It's not just a little here and there, the hate is overflowing and bursting at the seams. Ever hear the comment "Read it on the internet, must be true."

That could apply here to a degree. You get enough people complaining non stop and possible faking some of the issues while not owning an Apple device at all and I would wager you could even trick Apple into thinking "Damn there must really be something wrong" When it could be the net nerds just doing what they live to do and just hate on a greedy corporation while supporting the exact same thing on the other side of the fence.

I am not saying there are no issues, I have no access to the data they have. I have seen butchered photos from the maps and know there are people using apple maps that are having issues where it is putting them in the wrong spot and not their desired destination, because some posters here I know do use Apple products and have pointed out some flaws.

Is it as bad as the net proclaims? Who is almost all against Apple with venom and anger....I couldn't say because I have and will never see in my life a more hated company. I think BP got less crap for their blunder. Terrorist organizations selling tech would get less crap more than likely.

Like Kevin Smith said in one of his Q and A's about people on the internet hating as he has millions of bucks.

"Long live me......internet guy....."

I also would point out the "Pro's" argument here. I would need to hear from David Fincher or Trent Reznor (apple users) how bad it actually is for them. I doubt they struggle and make more than "pros" here could ever dream. They could do it on any OS obviously, but it's another point of the non stop complaining and conclusion jumping.

 

[omenatarhuri]

And therein lies the problem, you have never used a decent mapping solution for turn by turn, so you are impressed with a half finished implementation.

In my opinion the turn by turn is fine. It's really the mapping data that is the problem. And that stuff was provided to Apple by TomTom. In all fairness they should be the ones apologizing.

 

[AidenShaw]

I am sure in some locations there are real problems with the maps. On the other hand I do have to wonder how much things could possibly be overblown.

What more to say other than "Tim Cook would not have published this letter if there weren't really serious problems."?

It's not overblown - this is a fiasco and a black eye for Apple.

 

[435713]

What more to say other than "Tim Cook would not have published this letter if there weren't really serious problems."?

It's not overblown - this is a fiasco and a black eye for Apple.

It might not be for sure. Why they didn't test it better if so I would have no freaking clue. Get FCPX up to par before releasing as well. WHy MS released ME and Vista in their conditions I have no clue. Although vista was okay for me....strange. haha

It is a thought is all. I am sure everyone notices the absolute off the charts hatred for Apple. I mean its up there pretty freaking high amongst the net. Makes me wonder is all.

 

[KnightWRX]

In my opinion the turn by turn is fine. It's really the mapping data that is the problem. And that stuff was provided to Apple by TomTom. In all fairness they should be the ones apologizing.

No, since again, TomTom checked and issued a statement that their mistakes in the TomTom data is on Apple's end, it's an integration problem. The problems do not exist in TomTom's data source.

Apple didn't integrate the data into their infrastructure properly.

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It might not be for sure. Why they didn't test it better if so I would have no freaking clue.

It's not that they didn't test, and it's that their testing methodology was probably flawed :

blog.telemapics.com/?p=399

(This post should be required reading for people commenting on the state of the Maps).

 

[Shasterball]

Maybe in the part of the world you live in.
There's a lot of major markets (Japan being one) where most people have no use for turn-by-turn.

Well, these are people who live in LA, SF, NYC (suburbs of), Chicago, and smaller towns in Ohio. So if by part of the world I live in you mean "United States," then, yeah, you are right.

 

[Slip Jigs]

It's the iOS6 default, though you don't get all the bells and whistles unless you have a 4s or 5.

Which is one of the reasons why I'm so pissed. Sure, the newer iPhone people lost a good deal of map data, but at least they got 3D cities and turn by turn navigation.

I'm using a 4, and didn't even get that.

I'm on a 4 as well and have an iPad 1 so I lost out on both counts. I don't care what the so-called rationale is, the iPad 1 has plenty of resources to run at least the "lite" version of iOS 6, and the iPhone 4 could run the full version including the new maps and Siri.

And what does this do to app developers like Tom-Tom? It seems like MS back in the day with IE. as soon as Win 95 was released, Gates pulled every developmentnteammfrommwhat they were doing to build the next version of IE. at that time, browsers weren't free and Netscape ruled. IE was offered for free and bundled and it just lead to all the anti-trust lawsuits. Not to mention that somemofnthentechnology may have been, we, borrowed. I'm not accusing Apple of anything, but it does seem odd that often they wait to introduce a new feature or iOS bundled app until after its been done by app developers both with approved app store apps and those only available through Cydia and jail breaking. Ironic that Apple is supposed to be the innovators.

 

[Joesmith13245]

What more to say other than "Tim Cook would not have published this letter if there weren't really serious problems."?

It's not overblown - this is a fiasco and a black eye for Apple.

I agree. And to offer up competing products in the interim is surprising. Apple has now been a tech super giant for a good part of 10 years. Just like MS, expectations will be much higher than the average company. And rightfully so. It's time for Apple to put on some big boy pants and step up the quality for ALL services. Even if its 1 app.

 

[rsocal]

I agree. And to offer up competing products in the interim is surprising. Apple has now been a tech super giant for a good part of 10 years now. Just like MS, expectations will be much higher than the average company. And rightfully so. It's time for Apple to put on some big boy pants and step up the quality for ALL services. Even if its 1 app.

And they will step it up, Google Maps improved with user feed back and i still see mistakes, thats part of Mapping. Apple will fine tune it for the next year and more. I'm starting to believe the people who are whining only use their phone for navigation? So go buy a dedicated Navigation device, there's some really nice ones out there!!!!

I'cant believe that this is all people can say about the new iPhone 5, its incredible and if Maps is your deal breaker to stop you from buying the best Smart Phone, that's just one more for someone whos waiting to get one!!!

 

[John.B]

... is not integrated with the OS, and does not fix all the 3rd party apps that use the integrated mapping and are also now as broken as Maps itself.

Try again.

I honestly don't care. If you need Google maps in iOS 6, then maps.google.com gets you Google maps in Safari. If those don't suit your needs, I'm sure Eric Schmidt is crafting a solution to solve all of the myriad edge cases out there. Maybe he'll pass out ribbons for the best ones?

Personally, in my little corner of the world, the Apple maps are working fine. Apparently, YMMV.

 

[KnightWRX]

I'cant believe that this is all people can say about the new iPhone 5

This isn't about the iPhone 5. iOS 6 was released for 4 models of iPhones and 2 models of iPads.

There's plenty of threads about the iPhone 5 that don't mention maps if that is what you're interested in discussing.

----------

I honestly don't care. If you need Google maps in iOS 6, then maps.google.com gets you Google maps in Safari. If those don't suit your needs, I'm sure Eric Schmidt is crafting a solution to solve all of the myriad edge cases out there. Not.

Personally, in my little corner of the world, the Apple maps are working fine. Apparently, YMMV.

Thank god this isn't about you then. It's good you decided to drop by and tell us that, we reallllllllly appreciate the thought. And again, how are things like RunKeeper, the Tim Hortons locator, MLS realtors, DuProprio "edge" cases ? They're very popular apps...

 

[Joesmith13245]

And they will step it up, Google Maps improved with user feed back and i still see mistakes, thats part of Mapping. Apple will fine tune it for the next year and more. I'm starting to believe the people who are whining only use their phone for navigation? So go buy a dedicated Navigation device, there's some really nice ones out there!!!!

I'cant believe that this is all people can say about the new iPhone 5, its incredible and if Maps is your deal breaker to stop you from buying the best Smart Phone, that's just one more for someone whos waiting to get one!!!

This is more than just Maps and needs to be a wakeup call to Apple to get their act together. Time for Tim to step up as CEO and shake things up. The problem is I do not see Tim as the type of CEO that would cut heads.. Ie Scott Forstall. Somehow I don't see Scott shaking at the knees when going into his office. Most will argue that since sales are booming all is fine. Keep in mind these sales(like most) are a direct result of the success of previously releases. So the real test will be when Apple releases their next iteration of the iPhone in 12-18 months.

 

[Thierry ba]

This gotta be joke

http://www.apple.com/ios/add-to-home-screen/

Hahaha

 

[John.B]

Thank god this isn't about you then. It's good you decided to drop by and tell us that, we reallllllllly appreciate the thought. And again, how are things like RunKeeper, the Tim Hortons locator, MLS realtors, DuProprio "edge" cases ? They're very popular apps...

I think there is a crapton of handwringing in this thread from people trying to invent the weirdest edge cases, in effort to create as much drama as possible.

A quick search of any number of your previous posts show that's pretty much your modus operandi. You complain about Apple. It seems to be your life's work.

So, no, not particularly fussed about a coffee shop locator* for Canucks or real estate locator apps for the Clinton's New York neighborhood in Chappaqua or Westchester or wherever. But, hey, by all means, entertain yourselves! Hold a contest!

If you can't live without Google maps, then here's your Google maps: maps.google.com

* Personally I know the location of every Starbucks withing a 50 mile radius.

 

[KnightWRX]

I think there is a crapton of handwringing in this thread from people trying to invent the weirdest edge cases, in effort to create as much drama as possible.

Weird edge cases ? Streets not being there where you run on don't exactly work well with RunKeeper. RunKeeper is an edge case ?

A quick search of any number of your previous posts show that's pretty much your modus operandi. You complain about Apple. It seems to be your life's work.

And you seem to find the threads where people have issues with something made by Apple, and then you start insulting them, telling them they are the problem. Damage control for Apple by pissing off the user base even more than they might already be about an issue. It seems to be your life's work.

 

[dv8r]

I think there is a crapton of handwringing in this thread from people trying to invent the weirdest edge cases, in effort to create as much drama as possible.

I just want them to fix my street and make usable in New York.

But if that's a weird case, then just carry on.

 

[robertosh]

While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.

I can't believe that these are Apple words...

 

[Berserker-UK]

If you can't live without Google maps, then here's your Google maps: maps.google.com

Has anyone making this suggestion actually tried this? It's just about OK if you're standing still, but several seconds between updates, the current position disappearing off the edge of the screen, and no compass kinda make navigating difficult!

* I didn't update, so don't have to do any of this, thankfully!

 

[Galatian]

Because one significant function to the phone has been downgraded. So on one level - and if you use that function for several apps calling upon map kit - the new iPhone (which comes preloaded with iOS6) can be considered inferior.

But it's good to know that you think that getting wrong directions in record time on a speedy phone is more important than getting accurate ones on a slower phone

Why do you call the poster a troll. And why do you think your experience is more important than anyone else's. I'm sure you realize based on the thread you're posting in - that even the CEO of Apple recognizes that Apple Maps isn't superior to other options at the current time.

Is Tim Cook a troll too?

I was pointing out the problem with the semantics of his sentence. The iPhone 5 is in (mostly) every way a superior phone then the iPhone 4S because it is just much more advanced hardware. The new maps app is a software feature, which does not define the phone, hence I was pointing out that a software feature does not make a phone better or worse per se.

 

[John.B]

Weird edge cases ? Streets not being there where you run on don't exactly work well with RunKeeper. RunKeeper is an edge case ?

RunKeeper is an actual app on your actual iPhone? Really?

And you seem to find the threads where people have issues with something made by Apple, and then you start insulting them, telling them they are the problem.

See, the thing is that I don't buy that any of this matters with you personally. Whatever the issue du jour is, that becomes "your cause" on MR, like it's a sport or something for you. I don't buy that you even have a dog in this fight, you just like to complain about Apple. When this blows over, you'll be complaining about the next "Apple drama" thing, and the next thing, and the thing after that. I know that, because you have a long history on MR of complaining about whatever the most recent complaint against Apple was, and the thing before that, and before that.

----------

Has anyone making this suggestion actually tried this? It's just about OK if you're standing still, but several seconds between updates, the current position disappearing off the edge of the screen, and no compass kinda make navigating difficult!

* I didn't update, so don't have to do any of this, thankfully!

Yeah, I guess the old Google Maps that everyone remembers as being so great wasn't actually as good as they're making it out to be?