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I didn't realize Google Maps was so popular. I tried it a couple times when I needed navigation help and just didn't like it. I used MapQuest's app when I traveled last year and never looked back. Turn by turn directions ftw.



Agreed. Google Maps sucked on iOS. Map Quest's free app was much better, and it gave you free turn by turn. For those complaining, they should go download the Map Quest app.
 
Wow. Consumers really have become a spoilt and whiny bunch. Louise CK was right.

That would be the nature of the world today. My generation (I'm 23) believes we should have everything handed to us on a platter and at the first sign of trouble/hardship we b**** and moan.

This goes for consumerism as well. To the guy who said "It may work well for you, but that doesn't mean it works well for 100's of millions of others", that goes the other way as well. And I'd venture a guess that a majority of people haven't had any trouble.

A couple people complain -> the media grabs a hold of it and won't let go -> the competition riles up a huge media circus around it -> now people won't shut up about it and assume that EVERYONE has the same trouble they have....

Sounds a lot like US Elections....
 
You know that the only reason that you are new to turn by turn navigation is because apple denied you access to it for many years? It's been standard on all android phones for 5 years+

Google did not give Apple access to this API. It's been available for Android users because Google makes it. Come on, wise up.
 
What exactly is wrong with Maps? Some 3D images don't render properly and some locations aren't accurate. Over time, these will get edited as they receive feedback.

Functionally, it works smoothly each time I've used it...

Everyone is just overreacting. Probably the same people that sold their AAPL stock the last few days because the iPhone 5 sold 5 million instead of 6 million...:rolleyes:
 
No need to apologize Tim - I am using maps almost daily and havent had a single problem!!!

The turn by turn directions have been excellent. They are so easy to use, and Siri actually does an incredible job of re-routing people; and it's much better than any GPS system!!

:apple::apple:

This. My friends been using them and am very impressed & jealous.
 
Everyone who bought an iPhone 5 is still within the return window. If the absence of Google Maps is important enough--just return it and get a different phone.
 
so you admit Apple will catch up to Google much faster than Google time to come to this juncture in their Maps

They did, and Google:

A) Wouldn't give them turn by turn directions
B) Wanted data collection and Latitude built in to iOS

But that's the point. Why is everyone expecting Apple's fix of the situation to be on the same timeline as Google's? As you said technology and data have changed - and given that Apple has already been working on this since 2009 and they have an enormous user-base, I'd venture a guess that we will see HUGE improvements over the course of the next year.

That being said, my area is just a little out of date given that most of it has only recently been developed (last 6 months to a year). Other than that I have had ZERO issues as I'm sure a majority of people have had. The difference is, you don't run to the internet to tell everyone "Hey this maps app works fine", unless of course you're like me and are here on MR on a regular basis and are worn out by all of the "Apple Doom" and outrageous overreaction that's taking place.


I am sure we will see huge improvements. But no, hasanahmad, I don't think Apple will catch up to Google quickly because you're assuming Google is being stagnant. They aren't. So while Apple can gain momentum and do a lot with what they have - Google is also moving along at the speed of technology. Eventually though - I am sure they will be quite comparable. But when? Who can say.

Google would give them turn by turn directions. One of the key sticking points was that Google wanted their maps branded. They wanted it to be "google maps" not just "maps." Apple doesn't want any 3rd party branding on their phone. That was a big impetus.

And yes - Google wanted latitude on the iPhone. Another sticky point.

Again - no harm/no foul - the companies couldn't agree on terms so the negotiations ended.

My point in bringing that to attention in Cook's letter is that it's spin via omission. He didn't say "We tried unsuccessfully to reach and agreement with Google (or even say vendors) to provide these services so we built the Maps app fromt he ground up." or some variant.
 
But that's the point. Why is everyone expecting Apple's fix of the situation to be on the same timeline as Google's? As you said technology and data have changed - and given that Apple has already been working on this since 2009 and they have an enormous user-base, I'd venture a guess that we will see HUGE improvements over the course of the next year.

That being said, my area is just a little out of date given that most of it has only recently been developed (last 6 months to a year). Other than that I have had ZERO issues as I'm sure a majority of people have had. The difference is, you don't run to the internet to tell everyone "Hey this maps app works fine", unless of course you're like me and are here on MR on a regular basis and are worn out by all of the "Apple Doom" and outrageous overreaction that's taking place.

I don't see why it's okay that we have to wait for premium maps. I have them on 5.1.1. If I upgrade to ios 6, I must then wait for apple to catch up. How is this okay for a premium device? What other manufacturers produce software updates that downgrade features? I personally don't care about turn by turn and am pleased with apples dated iteration of google maps in 5.1.1. This is coming from someone who has maps on an android device as well.
 
I've had zero issues with Apple Maps, it's way better than the old app, although I miss having street view a little.
 
Google maps data itself (other than street view) has not been any major improvements since 2008. their all very incremental on a yearly basis. Apple is probably going to be doing minor incremental updates every month for years to come.

False, since 2008 they have changed from Teleatlas data to their own data in a lot of places.
 
I hated Google Maps when it was on iOS. It didn't do crap. So I always used other map and nav apps. Now I use iOS Maps exclusively. I even own the Navigon app. But I don't feel the need to take up the space on my iPhone anymore.
 
No apology under the Steve Jobs regime. And for that I respect Tim Cook as a leader.

Jobs would have said something stupid like "don't search for those addresses".
 
Apple's history has been littered with mistakes, bad marketing calls, wasted investment and poor products....

An under developed Map app is pretty minor in comparison.

THANK YOU. Jeez people are acting like everything Apple has done is perfect. When Steve was alive MANY things went wrong.

Ping was a mistake. When MobileMe released there were many problems. Antennagate. Recalls etc.
 
Steve would have never allowed this. However, I think publishing an open letter of apology was the right thing to do.

Anecdotal experiences for all who give a care: Apple Maps on an iPad (3rd gen) got me to my destination just fine.



Steve would have absolutely allowed the product to be released. All Steve would have done perhaps differently is better present the rough edges. Perhaps, call it a beta like Siri. That would have solved a lot of problems just doing that.

In Apple's defense, developers who had early access to the Maps App all seemed to really like it. Perhaps, Apple honestly based on their impute thought the App was good. It probably works great in California after all.
 
Very relevant to, err, nothing at all because it's a $500+ product being sold in 2012 with clear deficiencies as compared with the 2012 version of Google Maps being shipped as we speak on millions of devices.

No it's not....dear god.....

If you buy an iPhone for $500 and say "Oh man this maps app sucks, what a waste of $500" you're an idiot. You should've just bought a GPS.....

There are hundreds or other things that $500 device does....stop acting like one app has suddenly rendered your phone completely useless.

Jesus....the sky is falling!
 
I am sure we will see huge improvements. But no, hasanahmad, I don't think Apple will catch up to Google quickly because you're assuming Google is being stagnant. They aren't. So while Apple can gain momentum and do a lot with what they have - Google is also moving along at the speed of technology. Eventually though - I am sure they will be quite comparable. But when? Who can say.

Google would give them turn by turn directions. One of the key sticking points was that Google wanted their maps branded. They wanted it to be "google maps" not just "maps." Apple doesn't want any 3rd party branding on their phone. That was a big impetus.

And yes - Google wanted latitude on the iPhone. Another sticky point.

Again - no harm/no foul - the companies couldn't agree on terms so the negotiations ended.

My point in bringing that to attention in Cook's letter is that it's spin via omission. He didn't say "We tried unsuccessfully to reach and agreement with Google (or even say vendors) to provide these services so we built the Maps app fromt he ground up." or some variant.

Google Maps data are updated on a yearly basis. they used to be updated on a monthly basis from 2004-2008 when they were new. Apple will probably also be updating the maps data on a monthly basis
 
I can not even IMAGINE the CEO of another tech company telling you to use someone else's service because they want you to have the best experience possible.

This really says a lot about how Time Cook sees Apple and what he thinks Apple should be.

Frankly, I love it.

I care more about macro-level attitudes than specific little fumbles. That's what will always matter in the end.
 
Stop defending him. He knew this would happen. He knew their maps weren't ready. But in order to further piss off google, Apple rushed an inferior product out the door. You can't honestly believe that he looked at apple maps a few weeks ago and considered it ready to ship.

Apple is some how capable of making amazing products right alongside terrible decisions. Tim had the power to delay apple maps another year and he didn't. Luckily for him they still sold a crap ton on phones so the Board probably doesn't care about this blunder.
 
I despise the new maps. BUT i will say this. A year later Siri is actually usable, recognizes my voice accurately and finally does sports.

I think, i hope, this is a wake up call to Apple that the brand does not mean you release crapapps. I hope, and i think, apple will improve the maps.

Until then, i really do hope google will release their ios maps. If they wait long enough, they risk turning away customers like me, because if apple catches up and then google decides to release, well screw google.

Competition is good though. And Apple sucks a quite a few things, and hits quite a few things out of the park. Heres to hoping they get maps right, but for the love of my stuff that grows when the grass is bad, google release the maps!

In a side note, my iphone 5 has really grown on me, love the cold feel of the aluminum.
 
When I was in Munich maps themselves and navigation were good, what was really bad was searching for locations like a "copyshop". It actually brought me to a paper diaper shop. At least for the locations I checked, it's not Apple that has to up their game, it's actually Yelp. MobileMe was a way bigger ****-up, and actually Apples fault. Just for those "wouldn't have happened with Steve" people.
 
At least Tim Cook is being honest. And that's a very humble trait to have.
Would MS or google ever say anything except "we and our products/apps are the best"? Of cause not. They (MS and google) are not ones to admit the truth like this.

Cook knows Apple Maps is still on the way to being great. Give it 6 months to a year and it'll be fab I bet.

I wish MS and Google started telling the public when their products didn't cut the mustard.

And don't get me started on Samsung. Samsung thinks Samsung is a company blessed by God that does no wrong.
 
Apple should've called it a Beta and it would've been all good...

If they had done that, they would've almost certainly had to keep the old Google Maps app on the phone in iOS 6. Clearly, they didn't want to have to do that.

They got away with calling Siri beta because it wasn't replacing anything already native to the phone.
 
Not to sound like an (a), but I honestly don't think Steve would have allowed Maps to be released in its current form. Steve would have never apologized like Tim. That's one way you can tell those two apart.
 
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