Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[dv8r]

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.

It sure does - I've had Google take over 40 days before applying a fix, but that proves nothing. Google still have this process going, Google even have a tool for you to apply a fix and Google actually did the change in the end. So your problem now is that Google took 10 days to actually fix information - boy... some people will take a lot of bullets for Apple.

50% of the bitching is because the map tiles don't have buildings on them in "map" view.

No it get's even better - when they do have buildings on them, the shape is wrong - like this:

There's no way you can walk between those 3 buildings - it's a block. And the opening where you actually get to the parking space behind the buildings aren't on the map.

Problem 2 btw. is that this pin is placed where Apple Maps thinks the address "Vestergade 6" is - on the street above. Not even the right street...

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.

I don't like feature regression - if I didn't like change I wouldn't have bought the iPhone 3 when it came out. So no dice...

----------

Unsatisfactory product from whom?

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.

You do realize that the iPhone resonates with a customer group that, in very high numbers, lives in a major city - haven't got a car and uses walking and public transportation more than others?

 

[latestmonkey]

I have a simple question:

is it possible to restrict search results to a particular country?

I don't need results for Middlesbrough, England. I'm just trying to find a 7-11 in the states.

 

[GiantSteve]

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?)

The point of Maps is to actually have a functional map, you know, which provide "a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features." By this measure Apple Maps is a failure, plain and simple. Look at the the Mall in Washington DC, Disney World, the Champs-Elysees in Paris or any other top tourist location in the world and there is no comparison between the rich details provided in Google Maps and the skeletal rendering in Apple Maps. Turn by turn directions are very nice, but first a map has to deliver on its core mission of providing a realistic representation of an area. Right now Apple Maps does not do that.

 

[chrisblore]

I have a simple question:

is it possible to restrict search results to a particular country?

I don't need results for Middlesbrough, England. I'm just trying to find a 7-11 in the states.

It's funny you should say that because I've searched numerous times for UK locations and received US results. "Durham" always returns Durham, NC for example

 

[latestmonkey]

It's funny you should say that because I've searched numerous times for UK locations and received US results. "Durham" always returns Durham, NC for example

I figured it was an issue over there as well. I could imagine some English guy going "WTF is a Wawa!"

 

[alent1234]

The point of Maps is to actually have a functional map, you know, which provide "a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features." By this measure Apple Maps is a failure, plain and simple. Look at the the Mall in Washington DC, Disney World, the Champs-Elysees in Paris or any other top tourist location in the world and there is no comparison between the rich details provided in Google Maps and the skeletal rendering in Apple Maps. Turn by turn directions are very nice, but first a map has to deliver on its core mission of providing a realistic representation of an area. Right now Apple Maps does not do that.

well you're not going to drive into the Mall or Disney World. you're going to drive into a specific POI like a hotel and so the Apple Maps are nice for this. way better than the old map app

 

[cyks]

well you're not going to drive into the Mall or Disney World. you're going to drive into a specific POI like a hotel and so the Apple Maps are nice for this. way better than the old map app

Ah, a specific POI... such as the Washington Monument, for example?

Or do you mean the countless hotels, eateries, gas stations, or nearly every other POI that isn't listed?

 

[alent1234]

Ah, a specific POI... such as the Washington Monument, for example?

Or do you mean the countless hotels, eateries, gas stations, or nearly every other POI that isn't listed?

and you know there are apps for this that have the address data

searching anything in google maps usually brings back so much crap it takes you a while to find what you want. if you want cheap gas use one of the apps that will then open the maps app and route you

 

[BaldiMac]

Or do you mean the countless hotels, eateries, gas stations, or nearly every other POI that isn't listed?

Speaking of countless, I'd be interested in seeing some quantitative comparisons based on various locations and POI types. I wonder how long it will take someone to figure that out.

 

[cyks]

and you know there are apps for this that have the address data

searching anything in google maps usually brings back so much crap it takes you a while to find what you want. if you want cheap gas use one of the apps that will then open the maps app and route you

Gotcha... so, if I wanted to look for a gas station, I should open a gas app. Likewise, I'm sure if I wanted a hotel or a place to eat, I should simply open their corresponding apps as well?

Apple Maps HAS the address data for the Washington Monument, if you were to search for it. The problem is that it points to it a block away. The Jefferson Memorial doesn't fare much better as it's listed twice - once on the right spot, another (using the data from Yelp) a good distance away.

 

[Moi un Mouton]

well you're not going to drive into the Mall or Disney World. you're going to drive into a specific POI like a hotel and so the Apple Maps are nice for this. way better than the old map app

and you know there are apps for this that have the address data

searching anything in google maps usually brings back so much crap it takes you a while to find what you want. if you want cheap gas use one of the apps that will then open the maps app and route you

I'm betting you can't read maps or navigate yourself around. Don't judge the rest of the world's population by your own low standards, please.

 

[John.B]

Google's "iLost" Motorola ad faked an address to "lose" iOS 6 Maps (appleinsider.com)

And they say Apple can work the media into a frenzy...

 

[Brazuca]

Google's "iLost" Motorola ad faked an address to "lose" iOS 6 Maps (appleinsider.com)

And they say Apple can work the media into a frenzy...

Not Evil.

 

[Moi un Mouton]

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? ...............................

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? ...... 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......

Sorry, but you're talking shyte. Those are not mapping apps, as it says, they are routing apps. RunKeeper cannot give you that choice, nor can a real estate app, nor anything else that just wants to show you a map. They are forced into the default MAPPING app

They didn't remove functionality, it's got issues in some areas.

What a bizarre statement. If they didn't remove the functionality of street view, public transport, red/yellow/green traffic, walking routes, to name but a few, where, exactly, are they now? That functionality certainly exists on my iPhone on iOS5

Issues? A road map that makes most roads nearly invisible in daylight, where you cannot tell primary routes from backstreets? That leaves out towns and cities all over the UK and Europe? That randomly leaves major train and tube stations off the maps of London and England? That has no usable satellite images for large parts of Southern England? That misplaces POI's just about everywhere?

Can't you tell by now that the "I ... must ... defend ... Apple ... at ... all ... costs ..." attitude of you and some others on here just makes even worse the PR disaster that Apple is running into here, because people imagine that Apple thinks the same as you apologists.

 

[omni]

Everyone seems to be complaining (justifiably so) about locations being wrong or whatever.

But what about the missing traffic data? I relied on this completely here in LA and I haven't heard of any solution or a replacement? (yes i know about maps.google.com)

 

[cyks]

and you know there are apps for this that have the address data

searching anything in google maps usually brings back so much crap it takes you a while to find what you want. if you want cheap gas use one of the apps that will then open the maps app and route you

For fun, I decided to follow your advice and search for a local gas station myself and simply use the address in the Maps App to route me.

Amazingly enough, it shows that there is a gas station on the pin. Unfortunately, the pin is NOWHERE near where it should be!

The other two gas stations it shows on the map? Not gas stations.

 

[glynhughes]

... I think there's a lack of clarity on what you expect those you're speaking of to do or say as a response? Do you really need them to justify an error that is clearly there? What is it you're looking for from them?

In return those that you are referencing are now in-turn looking to see if any of those impacted negatively are going to eventually make the move to either leave Apple, find alternatives, or simply continue to wallow.

We all know Apple is now clearly aware of the situation and on the way to making it better. We all know to some degree that Google is preparing an app and that hope there is on the horizon.

Did I miss anything?

No, I think you summed it up nicely.

It doesn't bother you that apple screwed things up for some of its customers because you're not affected by that particular screw-up. It does bother you that those affected are continuing to voice their concerns. Your choice of the word 'wallow' is rather dismissive and to my mind is proof positive of the lack of empathy I was pointing out.

People like me continue to 'wallow' to keep fanning the flames of discontent. I want to add to a groundswell of opinion that might just challenge apple's patrician complacency. It might get them to improve things in their own app - it might make it hard for them to deny google a place in the app store if it comes to it.

You think I should give apple a free pass on this? Or go and buy a Samsung?
Well, apple have had my cash already and I want my money's worth. Preferably this side of 2014.

I agree that apple are clearly aware of the situation. I disagree that we know anything about their future plans for the maps app. One glib "we're working hard to improve it" statement. And I don't think google have said a word. If you're basing your optimism on press hearsay that's up to you, but I wouldn't give it any credence personally.

I've said this before somewhere else, but it amazes me that not everyone is cheesed off by the maps debacle. If I had working maps in my corner of the world, I'd still be critical of apple since there're lots of places where the maps don't work. You see, I travel - so mapping that may or may not be of any use at my destination is not a good thing.

 

[Idefix]

Please keep the criticism of Apple Maps coming! It's probably the only way to get Apple to allow Google Maps into the App Store, eventually, maybe, hopefully...

Truth is that it's probably gonna take Apple years to fix all the very bad errors worldwide. Yeah, they'll work real hard on the US end of things, but all the mistakes in the US that are cited in this super long thread, even those mistakes are gonna take way too much time.

Who wants to put up with the aggravation, when there's an adequate Google Maps out there, and for which Apple still had a year left in their contract (from WWDC.)

 

[Kaze105]

Had a weird problem on iphone 4s today using apple maps. I found my destination address, checked location and saw it was correct. As I was driving, it suddenly routed me to a different location for some reason. Had to change to waze after it.

 

[MoonlightSonata]

The Indian Ocean in the middle of a continent, huh.

 

[Idefix]

iOS6 Maps can't even find Apple's offices in Bangalore:

http://blog.anands.net/2012/09/26/ios6-maps-cant-find-apples-own-office-in-bangalore/

 

[iphoneclassic]

If one has to guess, It is probably doing an Yelp search and displaying pin/tag on coordinates returned from yelp. TomTom cannot help with these issues.

 

[white4s]

sucks for all of you. my map works like it should

 

[MarqueeK]

sucks for all of you. my map works like it should

Yeah, in the area which you live in.
I'm not so concerned about my local gas station or hospital being on the map. I know where they are.
I'm concerned about when I go to those places where people ARE complaining about crap mapping, I'm not going to know where to fill up on gas or get stitched up.
I for one won't be satisfied until complaints stop coming from major cities around the world, regardless of how well my area is mapped (which by the way, isn't)

 

[Jrh1194]

Everyone seems to be complaining (justifiably so) about locations being wrong or whatever.

But what about the missing traffic data? I relied on this completely here in LA and I haven't heard of any solution or a replacement? (yes i know about maps.google.com)

Not everyone is complaining. Some are complaining and some are satisfied with the program. Don't make it sound any worse than it really is.