Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[MozMan68]

...and the sound of crickets...that's what I thought...

And don't get me wrong...continue to complain if it makes you feel better.

The interface is clean, smooth, fast, has turn-by-turn and is improving every day.

 

[kas23]

hmmm...the date in the link you provided is 9/21...

----------



yep...NYT article, Sep-26....Tim Cook apology Sep-28...anyone else?

Wonderful, how observant. And I understanding what you are saying, but did Tim's apology itself make Apple Maps any better? The shortcomings of Apple Maps are still present regardless of Apple's official stance. Anyways, you may have forgot, but you did write:

Outside of this forum or a website that tracks Apple closely, have you seen one major news story on maps either BEFORE or after Tim Cook issued the apology? It was pure genius to issue it when he did.

 

[Idefix]

I don't get all the fighting.

Just come to grips with the fact that maps have some issues to be addressed.

Hopefully Apple will take responsibility and work to improve on them. That's the best we can hope for. As a multi billion dollar company intent on maintaining their market share, I'm sure they are doing so.

Until then find another solution, or go Android.

It's like an Italian family: there's a lot of passion involved, but at the end of the day, you're all still family.

Provided, of course, that you don't go around mortally insulting your family, such as telling your family that the shiny new iPhone toy is only for the American members of the family, that the European users really don't count, for example.

Come on: Doesn't Apple deserve to get raked over the coals for this disaster? Tim Cook seems to think so, not only did he apologize, but he went so far as to recommend competitors' apps.

If this disaster were going to be over soon, do you really think that Tim Cook would have suggested using other apps?

 

[MozMan68]

Wonderful, how observant. And I understanding what you are saying, but did Tim's apology itself make Apple Maps any better? The shortcomings of Apple Maps are still present regardless of Apple's official stance. Anyways, you may have forgot, but you did write:

ahhhh....correct...I was really thinking of RIGHT before, not the day ios 6 came out...but my mistake for not being clearer.

Still, I don't think two major stories (and there were probably 10 others) that came out right when the phone was released are a surprise....but they died down immediately and the next stories were only about Tim issuing the apology itself.

 

[dv8r]

Suffice it to say, your suggestion is, in fact inaccurate. Their survey clearly states that they surveyed actual iPhone 5 and iOS 6 users of a large enough sample group to conclude that, "Simply put, Apple Maps is not considered a problem by the overwhelming majority of users."

Yet this survey says that user satisfaction is dropping:
http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/26/survey-ios-6-leads-to-decrease-in-device-satisfaction-among-iphone-users/

Essentially iMore/451 were asking people on the iPhone 5 itself and only secondary questions were about individual features - the above listed survey from On Device weren't about the iPhone 5 but about the IOS6 software - and that aren't that objective either.

Even if only 10% of the original group of 4,270 were iPhone 5/iOS 6 users, that would be a sample group of 427 people, which is by no means statistically insignificant.

See this is where it get's tricky - You can't conclude based on 500 iPhone users at all. For one thing it isn't a wide sample (they are based on users in one specific region) and it's also very safe to conclude (based on the time the survey was made) that users replying are the ones that would buy an iPhone 5 no matter what.

Major political polls (like the Rsamussen presidential tracking poll) commonly use sample groups of 500 respondents to represent all likely US voters, with a margin of error of +/- 4%. We all pay attention to those polls. In this case, it is quite likely that a much larger group than 500 was surveyed, 90% of whom had no problems with maps, and only 3% of whom had significant problems.

Yet they arrive at very different results - as You can see for Yourself by looking at election coverage from 3 different sources. Those kind of surveys also try to get a spread that looks like the actual population, this means they find equal percentages of people based on income, household, party affiliation, occupation and state/region (and about 30 other things).

I find it hard to believe that the iMore/451 survey did the same thing (meaning: got a plausible representation of iPhone users) and therefore You cannot conclude anything other than "some people" aren't bothered by the Apple Maps screw-up at all. Reading these forums You could have concluded the same without spending money at all.

You all can check out that other thread for the objective data if you want.

Define "objective" data?

 

[kas23]

a
Still, I don't think two major stories (and there were probably 10 others) that came out right when the phone was released are a surprise....but they died down immediately and the next stories were only about Tim issuing the apology itself.

But, I would have expected them to die down. The CEO of the world's largest corporation came out and said, in no unclear terms, that their maps sucked and even went as far telling people to use their competitor's maps. I don't see why a major news source would have then came out with a story of Apple Maps sucking. It's already known. They report news and at that point, it was no longer news, but rather an established fact. This would be like a news source reporting the score of a sports game a few days after the game.

 

[Huntn]

I'm not seeing serious issues with Apple Maps and directions. The caveat is that I don't use them every time I need a GPS, preferring a dedicated GPS unit.

 

[MozMan68]

But, I would have expected them to die down. The CEO of the world's largest corporation came out and said, in no unclear terms, that their maps sucked and even went as far telling people to use their competitor's maps. I don't see why a major news source would have then came out with a story of Apple Maps sucking. It's already known. They report news and at that point, it was no longer news, but rather an established fact. This would be like a news source reporting the score of a sports game a few days after the game.

Probably because of the phones sold had not even been delivered yet...do you really think even 5% of the people who upgraded to iOS 6 or bought the new iPhone are using other maps?

I wonder if anyone knows?

Either way, no story to tell, people will use the maps thereby making them better and Apple will continue to improve them.

Again, do you really think Apple is hat stupid? Established fact or not, it is already forgotten in the world's eyes (outside of these types of forums and tech media).

The iPhone 5 has and continues to sell at record levels.

 

[kas23]

Again, do you really think Apple is that stupid? Established fact or not, it is already forgotten in the world's eyes (outside of these types of forums and tech media).

I don't know anymore. Either that or completely arrogant. They did release Apple Maps and they apparently did know about its shortcomings. I find it hard to believe it was a calculated move.

But, I don't think it's "forgotten in the world's eyes". If you want an iPhone 5, what as consumers are we supposed to do but accept it? No amount of crying, bitching, or moaning anymore is going to lead to the improvement of Apple Maps. Tim Cook has laid out the options already.

 

[MozMan68]

I don't know anymore. Either that or completely arrogant. They did release Apple Maps and they apparently did know about its shortcomings. I find it hard to believe it was a calculated move.

Not calculated...reviewed and assumed incorrectly that it wouldn't get the press it did considering how far along it was...either way, seems they made the right decision as the market has proven.

 

[PrometheusGeek]

Define "objective" data?

An actual survey, as opposed to the non-existent survey data you've based your opinions on.

 

[KnightWRX]

Not calculated...reviewed and assumed incorrectly that it wouldn't get the press it did considering how far along it was...either way, seems they made the right decision as the market has proven.

Ok, are you done telling us maps hasn't impacted the iPhone 5 sales (no one claimed they did or would...) and can we now get back to discussing the sad state of Apple maps as even acknowledged by Tim Cook and Apple themselves ?

I can't believe some people are still trying to spin this, even after Apple itself has given up trying to.

 

[MozMan68]

Ok, are you done telling us maps hasn't impacted the iPhone 5 sales (no one claimed they did or would...) and can we now get back to discussing the sad state of Apple maps as even acknowledged by Tim Cook and Apple themselves ?

I can't believe some people are still trying to spin this, even after Apple itself has given up trying to.

Not trying to spin anything...it's a fact...they took a calculated risk in launching iOS 6 before it was ready for the world so they could get the iPhone 5 out and it looks like they were right.

 

[KnightWRX]

Not trying to spin anything...it's a fact...they took a calculated risk in launching iOS 6 before it was ready for the world so they could get the iPhone 5 out and it looks like they were right.

There was no calculated risk nor does that have anything to do with this thread's topic, nor does Maps have anything to do with iPhone 5, etc... You're mixing tons of things, all of which have nothing to do with what is being discussed here. And you're doing it in a vain attempt to shed positive light on Apple. That's called spin.

Stick to the topic or start your own thread.

 

[MozMan68]

Ummm...this thread is supposedly about maps being a disaster with plenty of commentary about why they offered it when they could have kept Google.

They haven't even been close to a "disaster" for me...do I travel the world every other week? No. Do I use maps every single day? Yes...sometimes just for the hell of it. Do I travel the US extensively? Yes...and so far, maps hasn't let me down. But it's new and I have plenty of travel coming up to test it more.

Guess what? Probably more than 90% of the people out there don't use it or rely on it even as much as me. Most feedback from polls and even responses on here seem to back that up (and this is where I expect to see most complaints).

Spin is the vocal minority trying to convince others that their experience or opinions are in the majority...

 

[KnightWRX]

They haven't even been close to a "disaster" for me...

Look, you're in the wrong thread and off topic and derailing the conversation and just creating a hostile environnement where 2 sides are opposing themselves... all because you didn't join the proper thread :

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1447276/

Here's the thread for your people without issues. Have fun going there and discussing your "I'm not having issues" with them. We want to discuss the issues we have here. Stick to the topic or go to a thread/start a thread where the topic you want to discussed is being discussed.

Don't come in here saying things are "overblown, exagerated, etc...". That only serves to start arguments and its poor conduct on your part.

 

[MozMan68]

Look, you're in the wrong thread and off topic and derailing the conversation and just creating a hostile environnement where 2 sides are opposing themselves... all because you didn't join the proper thread :

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1447276/

Here's the thread for your people without issues. Have fun going there and discussing your "I'm not having issues" with them. We want to discuss the issues we have here. Stick to the topic or go to a thread/start a thread where the topic you want to discussed is being discussed.

Don't come in here saying things are "overblown, exagerated, etc...". That only serves to start arguments and its poor conduct on your part.

Okay then...can I still read these thread and laugh though?

 

[dv8r]

An actual survey, as opposed to the non-existent survey data you've based your opinions on.

Uhm no. Objective data is sampled from users/voters that aren't biased. It seems You don't know the difference?

 

[PrometheusGeek]

Uhm no. Objective data is sampled from users/voters that aren't biased. It seems You don't know the difference?

It seems you didn't read the 451 report and its methodology.

 

[Cybbe]

Spin is the vocal minority trying to convince others that their experience or opinions are in the majority...

This is BS. The magnitude of the issues with Apple maps go beyond "a vocal minority". They have rendered maps unusable in large swaths of the world, including e.g. UK, Korea, Japan, continental Europe, and so on. Their ****tiness it at an almost unbelievable level. It doesnt help if it works fine somewhere, maps live and die by their reliability. Apple maps just aren't.

 

[kas23]

Spin is the vocal minority trying to convince others that their experience or opinions are in the majority...

You know, even though just today Apple Maps directed into a blind parking lot instead of an actual road, I will have to agree with you here.

I'm not saying Apple Maps are satisfactory, but I do agree there is a certain degree of spin going on here. This is not an Apple-unique phenomenon though. People, especially the media, thrive on spreading fear. It's human nature. And the media is the best at this. In fact, I will go as far as saying the media/editors/journslists are worse than lawyers. At least lawyers will give you your day in court. The media is ruthless and highly irresponsible with the power they yield. They will crucify any position they don't like without giving the supposed offending party even a wimper of a defense. Plus, the integrity of their sources is dwindling by the day. Now, blogs and unconfirmed personal experiences are considered adequate sources.

 

[cyks]

...and the sound of crickets...that's what I thought...

ahhhh....correct...I was really thinking of RIGHT before, not the day ios 6 came out...but my mistake for not being clearer.

Still, I don't think two major stories (and there were probably 10 others) that came out right when the phone was released are a surprise....but they died down immediately and the next stories were only about Tim issuing the apology itself.

Below is a sampling from CNN.

You could expect similar results from practically every other major news organization (both from the US and the world) as they are still mentioning it in some form or another, often in a passing comment to remind people how bad they can be.



June 12
Apple's new suburban map app: Not for city dwellers

Sept. 19
The verdict on Apple's new map app: Compared with Google Maps, it sucks


Sept. 20
Today in Tech: New Apple Maps attacked for alleged inaccuracies

Sept. 21
Users: Apple iOS 6 maps are a mess


Sept. 23

It's easy to poke fun at Apple's Maps app in its current state. I've had my share of laughs, starting last June (see here and here), and now everybody is piling on.

Sept. 28
Apple CEO: "We are extremely sorry" for Maps frustration

Sept. 28
Apple's biggest apologies

Sept. 29
Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

Sept. 29

Apple CEO Tim Cook had to apologize for the buggy new Maps app in the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 on Friday, saying that his company "fell short" of making a "world-class product." It was a gracious and humble admission of a major mistake -- a sign that Apple takes its customers seriously and conducts itself with integrity.

Oct. 1

Apple has already issued one mea culpa about the iPhone 5. CEO Tim Cook released a public apology on Friday in response to widespread complaints about Apple's new Maps app, which "fell short" of Apple's commitment to "make world-class products," Cook said.

Oct. 1

With the iPhone 5, Apple went one step further still. They booted the wildly popular Google Maps off iOS and replaced it with their own mapping service. With Siri, Apple had brought a slightly flaky but genuinely innovative new service to market. But with maps, they replaced a loved and popular Google service with their own inferior solution.

Oct. 2
Would Steve Jobs have released Maps?

Oct. 4
Maps isn't the only disaster in iOS 6

Oct. 4

Street View's block-by-block panoramic views were one of the great losses -- along with dependably accurate street maps -- that iPhone and iPad owners suffered three weeks ago when Apple replace Google's Maps app with its own.

Oct. 4

The most recent display of the company's shift in tone was its reaction to the bungled iOS 6 Maps app. The new Maps app crafted in-house by Apple to replace Google Maps on iPhones and iPads was riddled with flaws, from missing features to misplaced businesses, landmarks and even towns.

Oct. 7

A recent torrent of complaints has prompted Apple CEO Tim Cook to issue a public apology for the company's new maps app in the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, which previously relied on Google Maps. Addresses are not showing up correctly, public transit directions aren't available, and the satellite views make it look as if the Brooklyn Bridge is bending into the Hudson River.

Oct. 11

(CNN) -- With fallout still swirling from Apple's decision to replace Google Maps with its own mobile mapping, Google on Thursday announced the biggest upgrade ever to its Street View tool.

 

[dv8r]

It seems you didn't read the 451 report and its methodology.

Seems like You didn't - then You would have noticed that the actual study was made by ChangeWave Research.

 

[Kung]

You're 100% right. The St. Louis bug should've been fixed weeks or months ago (not sure if it existed prior to iOS 6 or not.) It's a glaring issue affecting a major metro area. I can't believe the phone even says "Here's the forecast for St. Louis, MO" and it's clear that the data is for a different location.

It must be fixed now, then; I blurted out "How's the weather in St. Louis" (no other qualifiers) and it gave me the forecast for St. Louis, MO. It was obviously for St. Louis - pictures of the Cardinals, the Arch, etc.

 

[MozMan68]

Below is a sampling from CNN.

You could expect similar results from practically every other major news organization (both from the US and the world) as they are still mentioning it in some form or another, often in a passing comment to remind people how bad they can be.



June 12
Apple's new suburban map app: Not for city dwellers

Sept. 19
The verdict on Apple's new map app: Compared with Google Maps, it sucks


Sept. 20
Today in Tech: New Apple Maps attacked for alleged inaccuracies

Sept. 21
Users: Apple iOS 6 maps are a mess


Sept. 23


Sept. 28
Apple CEO: "We are extremely sorry" for Maps frustration

Sept. 28
Apple's biggest apologies

Sept. 29
Does Apple have a Scott Forstall problem?

Sept. 29


Oct. 1



Oct. 1


Oct. 2
Would Steve Jobs have released Maps?

Oct. 4
Maps isn't the only disaster in iOS 6

Oct. 4


Oct. 4



Oct. 7


Oct. 11

Ummm...so every single one of your quoted stories that appear after Tim's apology are almost exclusively about Google Maps and just happen to mention Apple Maps or just the fact the Google Maps are available as a web version on iOS.

And honestly, did you actually read those stories when they came out or simply because they are one of the thousand web page stories CNN issues as "news" to keep their website populated with new stories that you found by searching "apple maps" in CNN's search bar?

I think I would consider it "news" if it was bashed in a major story from a national newspaper or news outlet that would actually be read or seen by a large number of people.