Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[pdqgp]

Those who say that there are other equally good alternatives...oh yeah? Which might they be? I don't want five different apps to get less functionality than what I had and paid for in iOS 5.

So this point of other third party apps now not functioning on the iPhone because their API ties to Apples Mapping that is not working in your area is Apples fault? When you purchased that app you bought that company's offering that they chose to tie to a specific mapping software. Apple didn't make them do that. Sounds to me like you should be calling them to see what they are doing about it, not just simply blaming Apple. Don't agree, call them and see what their contract/terms and conditions with Apple are. I bet you'll find they are scrambling to fix their issue. Or better yet, post their response to how Apple is indeed liable to them for making it right.

Around Me is a great app, and they have written their software to tie into any number of mapping programs on my iPhone and didn't limit it to just Apple's default app. Why didn't those other third parties companies do that and regardless of the reason, aren't they liable for that function? I would imagine contractually if there was an issue stating otherwise, we'd begin hearing about it. Again, I think you'll find it's on them.

That said, stop blaming Apple because your jogging app or other third party app was written with limitations that in turn are impacting you. Not unless you can show proof that Apple made a commitment to said third party company that they would never make changes that could impact their user base. I doubt Apple would ever make that agreement.

A map that doesn't show anything accurately is not a map. In other words, in effect Apple removed map functionality on my iPhone with this update, thereby seriously crippling my iPhone.

They didn't remove functionality, it's got issues in some areas. They didn't cripple your phone any more than you are by not looking for alternatives that do exist.

Since apple made a calculated business decision, there are no excuses and as a customer I'm not to blame. This is entirely Apple's responsibility.

I don't recall anywhere that Apple isn't being accountable for the issue or are telling any customers to beat it.

----------

Your camera "stopped" working with your computer because you bought a different computer.

and your maps because you bought either a different phone or exercised an upgrade to a different OS. actually in my case, it wasn't that I bought a new computer, it's that I installed Win7 and didn't verify if my device was supported.

How many phones had turn by turn in 2007?

I had turn by turn on my blackberry devices in 2004.

The issue people have with Apple Maps is that it's taking away a perfectly working Maps Apps and replace it with something that's generally inferior.

Horse dead. Some people still feel they should be on WinXP or Win Server 2003 too. Software updates are rarely perfect. Not making an excuse but just stating the obvious so that people can begin to deal with reality.

 

[dv8r]

I highly doubt they are simply passing off the needs of updates without an expectations in writing. There's no doubt a level of expectation and service via contract in place that Apple has established with these companies and their other partners to insure success and timely response. Just the same these two companies have a vested interest in insuring the project succeeds.

This is apparently how it works - and you might say they have a vested interest, but again, Yelp doesn't have any real penetration in Denmark where I live, so i highly doubt this is a priority area for them - something that clearly shows in the speed they are (not) fixing problems there (we're talking before Apple Maps here).

Also this isn't the first time I have heard bad things about TomTom and their ability to find things when you don't use the complete address, very precisely. Their POI database for my area is lacking almost everything - and the only thing it's good for is getting you to a specific street - unless you stray from your route... then it just act's out. This behavior is now in the Apple Maps also, they now have the same problem with this thing acting out if you don't stay on the path.

----------

anyone think that Apple will take "Maps" out in next update and put Google Maps back in? Theoretically it is possible, right?

They will stick to this - even if it means the end (which it won't).

 

[Idefix]

Apple has a history of finally responding to very, very bad publicity.

It'll be interesting to see how they respond in this case. Because the Maps controversy isn't going away anytime soon. In fact, the bad publicity seems to be spreading out of the techie news into mainstream news.

Anything to diss Apple, that's the current fad.

 

[a0me]

They will stick to this - even if it means the end (which it won't).

The problem is not with the app itself but with the data that it relies on. Apple only need to ditch TomTom and whatever company they're working with right now, and start working with companies that know what they're doing.

 

[PDE]

This is what I know:

1. I bought an iPhone for £550 which included a map app that worked well.
2. Other apps took advantage of that map function and that made my life easier
3. Apple released an update and I installed it based on advertising that was misleading at best.
4. My phone no longer has a map app that works accurately. It's not just that it doesn't work accurately in a few areas. It doesn't work accurately in London - one of the great global tourist and commercial/ hubs. Imagine if it didn't work in DC what users would be saying. It also doesn't work accurately in many other countries throughout the world. Apple DID remove core functionality on my phone.
5. no other app offers me the functionality that the previous one did.
6.no other app integrates with iOS in the way the previous one did.

As I said before, it's hopeless to have this discussion since our positions are just too far apart.


Update: just read the NYT article below. Apparently the Washington monument has been moved and Dulles Airport disappeared, so it is happening in DC too...

 

[a0me]

Apple has a history of finally responding to very, very bad publicity.

Maybe I wasn't paying attention before but what kind of "very, very bad publicity" has Apple faced before?
The "antennagate" was a joke. I don't know, Foxconn? Palm Pre/iTunes sync?

 

[The Phazer]

Apparently this is what they told The New York Times[1] - and it does make sense since all the misplaced POI's in my hometown are all Yelp locations.

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/t...s-review.html?pagewanted=all&_moc.semityn.www

That article is terrifying, because it sounds like Apple is living in very deep denial about how bad the problem is.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

Apparently this is what they told The New York Times[1] - and it does make sense since all the misplaced POI's in my hometown are all Yelp locations.

[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/t...s-review.html?pagewanted=all&_moc.semityn.www

Actually the POI you search in the Yelp app are in the correct location from what I can tell from my own tests. It's once you decide to open in maps app in the upper right hand corner that things get messy. So it is Apples problem.

 

[BoxerGT2.5]

 

[dv8r]

Maybe I wasn't paying attention before but what kind of "very, very bad publicity" has Apple faced before?
The "antennagate" was a joke. I don't know, Foxconn? Palm Pre/iTunes sync?

Final Cut X and Foxconn - Tim Cook had to do a song and dance on the last one.

 

[slumpey326]

How do you get MAPS to select routing location, i.e. using another application like TomTom.

i.e. how did you get this screen to appear exactly

 

[dv8r]

Actually the POI you search in the Yelp app are in the correct location from what I can tell from my own tests. It's once you decide to open in maps app in the upper right hand corner that things get messy. So it is Apples problem.

I know - this is geolocation issues. But if all that Apple do is passing things on this will just hit Yelp, and if I'm lucky it will be sent back - if I'm unlucky Apple will pass it on to TomTom.

 

[pdqgp]

How do you get MAPS to select routing location, i.e. using another application like TomTom.

i.e. how did you get this screen to appear exactly

This is a screen shot from Around Me. I have those apps on my iPhone and evidently Around Me looked for them and offers them to me as the option to use when deciding to route to them.

My point is any third party app can do this. They are aren't restricted to Apple Maps and thus if someone is upset that their app isn't working because it's tied Maps that isn't currently functioning in their area, that is very likely on them ie. the third part company not Apple. They chose to tie solely to Apple Maps. I suggest they contact that third party app company for details.

I'd start with the EULA for both and go from there. Much like any OS, you upgrade at your own risk and research not just based on advertising, press releases or launch day hype.

 

[slumpey326]

This is a screen shot from Around Me. I have those apps on my iPhone and evidently Around Me looked for them and offers them to me as the option to use when deciding to route to them.

My point is any third party app can do this. They are aren't restricted to Apple Maps and thus if someone is upset that their app isn't working because it's tied Maps that isn't currently functioning in their area, that is very likely on them ie. the third part company not Apple. They chose to tie solely to Apple Maps. I suggest they contact that third party app company for details.

thanks, forgot about AROUND ME app. When I got the new iphone 5, I downloaded all my old apps again but must have missed this one. Thanks,.

 

[Idefix]

Maybe I wasn't paying attention before but what kind of "very, very bad publicity" has Apple faced before?
The "antennagate" was a joke. I don't know, Foxconn? Palm Pre/iTunes sync?

antennagate forced Apple to offer Bumpers--quite a slap in the face. You think Apple would voluntarily offer Bumpers? Out of the kindness of Apple's nonexistent heart?

See other examples above.

Apple does react to bad publicity.

 

[theautopilot]

antennagate forced Apple to offer Bumpers--quite a slap in the face. You think Apple would voluntarily offer Bumpers? Out of the kindness of Apple's nonexistent heart?

See other examples above.

Apple does react to bad publicity.

In fact Apple developed the bumper before it was released, because they knew there was a problem. An there was, i suffered it bad, but just like this it effects some people more than others. Unfortunately many people who had not experienced it then claimed there was nothing wrong. Same applies here, just a shame a piece of plastic wont fix this.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

Update: just read the NYT article below. Apparently the Washington monument has been moved and Dulles Airport disappeared, so it is happening in DC too...

I was using Google the other day and was looking for a local non profit.
Google had the wrong name, address (a location it never used), the wrong phone number (correct fax number), wrong URL, incorrect hours (correct weekly hours/incorrect weekend hours - not open).

Guess what. I went to Google Map Maker and suggested a fix. Google got back to me in 10 days and resolve the problem. The problem was NOT solved over night.

**** happens.

50% of the bitching is because the map tiles don't have buildings on them in "map" view.
50% of the bitching is because the level of detail doesn't equal that of Google at a certain zoom level.
(with the details mostly being there if you zoom in further)

People don't like change. Simple as that.

 

[marvin4653]

That said, stop blaming Apple because your jogging app or other third party app was written with limitations that in turn are impacting you. Not unless you can show proof that Apple made a commitment to said third party company that they would never make changes that could impact their user base. I doubt Apple would ever make that agreement.

Legal liability is not the sine qua non for assigning blame. I don't think anyone is asserting that Apple couldn't do what they did, the relevant inquiry is should Apple have done what they did.

Prior to dropping Google's maps, I would argue it was perfectly reasonable for 3P developers to rely on iOS's integrated mapping, unless their apps had special needs that were not served by the integrated maps. But whether it was a good practice or not for 3P developers to rely, solely, on Apple's integrated mapping solution, Apple was aware of this tight integration in the app marketplace. Thus, if we accept the premise that Apple recognized that their new maps would be detrimental to the iOS user experience, they rightly deserve blame for disregarding the harm that the new maps would cause to users of these 3P apps.

You're right, one way for users to address the problem is to petition app developers to provide support for non-native mapping solutions, but to assert that Apple is not to be blamed for degrading the user experience simply because their actions did not give rise to legal liability wholly misses the point.

 

[kas23]

And? "Yes, it's in the right place and you can search for it, but it's not a different color," is getting to be a pretty ticky tack complaint. I understand the transit problems and the people in the UK who are missing roads and towns, but this seems like an exceedingly minor problem.

There's not even a label. Is that ticky tack? Is that asking for too much detail? A label? For Gods sake, the NIH looks like a mini-city in Google Maps. There's buildings and labels. In Apple Maps, there's nothing. Blank.

But, I get the drill. When Apple puts out an unsatisfactory product, it's up to the end-user to suspend their prior beliefs, lower their standards, and change their expectations.

 

[ThisIsNotMe]

There's not even a label. Is that ticky tack? Is that asking for too much detail? A label? For Gods sake, the NIH looks like a mini-city in Google Maps. There's buildings and labels. In Apple Maps, there's nothing. Blank.

But, I get the drill. When Apple puts out an unsatisfactory product, it's up to the end-user to suspend their prior beliefs, lower their standards, and change their expectations.

Unsatisfactory product from whom?

The point of Maps was turn by turn for driving not walking directions or public transportation. Those are needs for a small minority of users.

You are bitching about buildings not being a map tiles but that really has nothing to do with driving directions.

If/when Apple decides to integrate walking/public transportation (probably a low priority as the vast majority of users don't care) then you will get buildings, ect.

If their solution doesn't work for you then *DON"T USE IT*.
(I mean such a complex solution to the problem, right?)

 

[PDE]

I was using Google the other day and was looking for a local non profit.
Google had the wrong name, address (a location it never used), the wrong phone number (correct fax number), wrong URL, incorrect hours (correct weekly hours/incorrect weekend hours - not open).

Guess what. I went to Google Map Maker and suggested a fix. Google got back to me in 10 days and resolve the problem. The problem was NOT solved over night.

**** happens.

50% of the bitching is because the map tiles don't have buildings on them in "map" view.
50% of the bitching is because the level of detail doesn't equal that of Google at a certain zoom level.
(with the details mostly being there if you zoom in further)

People don't like change. Simple as that.

No, not simple as that. What you describe above with regard to inaccurate data is the NORM in the uk using the new app. I have reported mistakes but there are far too many to report...I would spend hours every day doing work for apple without pay.

Also, a developer onthis board has been submitting corrections for months and nothing has been corrected. Apple has given no indication of how the probably millions of mistakes are to be fixed and I bet you most users don't report mistakes when they're pissed off that the map was wrong and they're late for a meeting or whatever.

 

[Idefix]

Does anybody need a definitive statement? Here's David Pogue:

"In short, Maps is an appalling first release. It may be the most embarrassing, least usable piece of software Apple has ever unleashed."

Pogue starts off the NY Times article with this:

"Last week, I used Apple’s new Maps app on my iPhone to guide me to a speaking engagement."

"The GPS navigation screen was clean, bold and distraction-free. The voice instructions spoke the actual street names. The prompts gave me just the right amount of time to prepare for each turn."

"There was only one problem: When the app told me that I had arrived, I was sitting in a random suburban cul-de-sac. Children were playing in the front yard, the sky was a crisp blue, and I was late for my talk."

Now that's bad publicity!

 

[tuna9720]

The other huge mistake IMO is the iPhone doesn't think the default maps app is its own maps. It used to ask you if you want to switch the google map if you were browsing on somewhere else with a map on it.

Now when you click for a direction it doesn't even bother asking you to switch to the maps. It still takes you to the google's safari version.

How on earth did apple missed this feature?

 

[PDE]

Unsatisfactory product from whom?

The point of Maps was turn by turn for driving not walking directions or public transportation. Those are needs for a small minority of users.

You are bitching about buildings not being a map tiles but that really has nothing to do with driving directions.

If/when Apple decides to integrate walking/public transportation (probably a low priority as the vast majority of users don't care) then you will get buildings, ect.

If their solution doesn't work for you then *DON"T USE IT*.
(I mean such a complex solution to the problem, right?)

Small minority of users? Like the people in cities like New York, Tokyo, London , Hong Kong, Paris, New Delhi, to name just a few? These are enormous cities where the majority uses public transportion. and these are where the majority of iPhone users live...not in rural areas without public transportation.

 

[kas23]

Unsatisfactory product from whom?

The point of Maps was turn by turn for driving not walking directions or public transportation. Those are needs for a small minority of users.

You are bitching about buildings not being a map tiles but that really has nothing to do with driving directions.

If/when Apple decides to integrate walking/public transportation (probably a low priority as the vast majority of users don't care) then you will get buildings, ect.

If their solution doesn't work for you then *DON"T USE IT*.
(I mean such a complex solution to the problem, right?)

Unsatisfactory product from whom? Are you that clueless? This thread is over a 100 pages long. That should give you a hint.

Besides, the NIH is a hospital. It should be not only labeled, but also shaded in red just as every other hospital in Apple Maps. Or do you have another excuse for that too? Your solution, don't use it. How laughable. Where's the alternative to Apple Maps. It was hostilely taken from us.

And I otherwise like Apple Maps. I live in the DC area. It's nearly flawless around here. But I'll be damned if I say it's perfect and start apologizing.