Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple doesn't have super-powers. Their offering will require a few years to get up to speed as well.

So why would they release an unfinished mapping product? It's ridiculous. Stop making excuses, Apple f'd up, released a subpar mapping product compared to other options available in free apps. It's not acceptable.

I'm happy with the Google maps app however so have no real world complaints in terms of losing usage though it was hard while waiting until the app was released by google.
 
That's a pretty big assumption.

Nokia maps were out way before Apple bought C3 and many cities were offered before Apple maps had them. Most likely, what you are seeing are portions that are not up to date or have been scrubbed by Apple for release.

I checked a few other areas, and it does appear to be true that Apple is keeping things more up-to-date than Nokia. For example, next to the CN Tower, you can see 3D imagery of a building being built, whereas with Nokia, it still shows the pre-construction piece of land. But with that said, I still don't see the harm in using slightly out of date 3D models for areas that aren't yet in 3D for Apple. 3D imagery that's slightly out of date seems preferable to no 3D imagery at all in those areas.

Great, so 3GS and iPhone 4 users will not get the updated Maps from iOS 7 since the devices will no longer support Apple's new updates?

I think they release updated mapping data over-the-air. I don't think iOS software patches are required to see new mapping data that Apple has pushed out.

You misunderstand me. My point wasn't that it'll be a key feature built into the new OS, rather, that it'll be something unveiled at the next OS showing. Map data is a server side thing, so it can absolutely be updated without an OS upgrade, but I think that thanks to the huge Apple Maps fiasco, Apple is saving up all sorts of updates and will release them all together in one major event (ie. WWDC, when iOS 7 is unveiled). It'll function as a sort of Apple Maps re-release, to try to change the market perceptions of the product.
 
I didn't really get all the people criticizing apple maps - it worked perfectly for me until today.

I was driving to ABT store in Glenview, going north on i294. The address i typed to my iPhone/apple maps = "1200 Milwaukee ave, Glenview IL". As I'm getting closer to my destination, my iPhone tells me that in 0.5 miles I should park my car on i294 and walk to my destination.

At first I thought I didn't hear it right, but then the same message came up again - I've reached the destination, park the car (on the tollway) and walk.

I could see the ABT store - so I guess Apple got me to the right place....

To be fair, Google does the same thing with the Sullivan Square subway station and I-93 in my area. I mean, yes, technically, my destination would indeed have been on my right, but only if I rappelled over the side.
 
So why would they release an unfinished mapping product? It's ridiculous. Stop making excuses, Apple f'd up, released a subpar mapping product compared to other options available in free apps. It's not acceptable.

I'm happy with the Google maps app however so have no real world complaints in terms of losing usage though it was hard while waiting until the app was released by google.

I know plenty of other people that would complain that Google's mapping data also has a lot issues.

The Apple map is a beautiful app, it just needs the backend data to be update and made more accurate.
 
So why would they release an unfinished mapping product? It's ridiculous. Stop making excuses, Apple f'd up, released a subpar mapping product compared to other options available in free apps. It's not acceptable.

When Google Maps just released, it didn't even have city maps for Australia. I think Apple Maps is beating it given how long it's been out for. And by far, let me add.
 
When Google Maps just released, it didn't even have city maps for Australia. I think Apple Maps is beating it given how long it's been out for. And by far, let me add.

The difference is Google Maps wasn't on mobile initially. Several years ago, maps weren't as important to people's daily lives. Now, after iPhone users were used to the Maps app with Google's data, they got updated to Apple Maps with worse data. It's is easy to understand that frustration.
 
When Google Maps just released, it didn't even have city maps for Australia. I think Apple Maps is beating it given how long it's been out for. And by far, let me add.

Difference is, back when google maps was released maps were hardly as important and the competition was no where near as advanced. If Apple wants to enter a market they should at least offer quality and functionality which is equal to what is available on the market now, not what WAS available on the market many years ago.
 
I know plenty of other people that would complain that Google's mapping data also has a lot issues.

The Apple map is a beautiful app, it just needs the backend data to be update and made more accurate.

Nobody said Google was perfect, but it has far less issues than what Apple forced onto us (and they typically fix the reported problems far quicker).

I do enjoy how you say it "just needs the backend data to be update and made more accurate" though...as though it's a simple fix of a minor issue- and not everything that makes maps useful.

When Google Maps just released, it didn't even have city maps for Australia. I think Apple Maps is beating it given how long it's been out for. And by far, let me add.

Why does any of that matter?

I bought a phone that had working maps and Apple took them away and forced their own subpar maps on me. In the process, it broke numerous features and 3rd party apps.

The history of Google's maps is completely irrelevant. Nobody paid for said maps nor were you forced to use them...whereas we did pay for working maps on the iPhone and we are forced to use them (Find my phone/ friends, Safari links, location services/ reminders, etc. are all using Apple's maps).
 
Nobody said Google was perfect, but it has far less issues than what Apple forced onto us (and they typically fix the reported problems far quicker).

I do enjoy how you say it "just needs the backend data to be update and made more accurate" though...as though it's a simple fix of a minor issue- and not everything that makes maps useful.

I do enjoy saying that a product needs work and then you come along saying that I didn't make a big enough issue about the product needing work.

I'm sorry I should have thrown a baby fit and stomped my feet as I walked away cause then the Apple would have fixed the back end data. My deepest and sincerest apologies.
 
FTA: PC Magazine columnist John C. Dvorak conducted a driving directions test between Apple Maps, Google Maps, and the crowd-sourced Waze app to see which of the three performed best at least in his own area: California.


I don't think anything else is needed to rip his findings to shreds.

To be fair, California is where Google is located, as well. The 'Googleplex' is literally only 9 miles away from Apple's campus, so it's not as if there was a home field advantage.

I do see your point, as Apple's primary weakness with Maps is its overseas data, so this test doesn't provide a proper overall comparison between the apps. But still, the mere fact that Apple Maps can stand up to (let alone beat) Google Maps in certain places speaks volumes about the direction that Apple Maps is headed. It started off as a joke, but it's already turning into a highly capable mapping system. In less than 6 months, I've noticed significant improvements. It still doesn't have nearly the same amount of information as Google does, but it's closing the gap far faster than most people thought it would.
 
The difference is Google Maps wasn't on mobile initially. Several years ago, maps weren't as important to people's daily lives. Now, after iPhone users were used to the Maps app with Google's data, they got updated to Apple Maps with worse data. It's is easy to understand that frustration.

Except there are warning before you use the Apple maps or any maps that explicitly says the information may not be totally accurate. I look at Apple maps now and it is completely accurate and has a lot of POI's that the Goog doesn't. How could Google keep a product that shows bad data after being released on a mobile platform for 4 years plus? Isn't it easy to understand THAT frustration?
Not defending Apple maps, but you can play doubles advocate on this very easily.
 
Except there are warning before you use the Apple maps or any maps that explicitly says the information may not be totally accurate. I look at Apple maps now and it is completely accurate and has a lot of POI's that the Goog doesn't. How could Google keep a product that shows bad data after being released on a mobile platform for 4 years plus? Isn't it easy to understand THAT frustration?
Not defending Apple maps, but you can play doubles advocate on this very easily.

It has been proven time and again that on a worldwide level, Apple's Maps aren't close to Google's in terms of both accuracy and POI...so, no, you can't play devils advocate on this.
 
Except there are warning before you use the Apple maps or any maps that explicitly says the information may not be totally accurate.

So because there is a warning it is ok that Apple's Maps provides worse data than what users got before the "upgrade"?
 
It has been proven time and again that on a worldwide level, Apple's Maps aren't close to Google's in terms of both accuracy and POI...so, no, you can't play devils advocate on this.
So you know where I live, what places I go to and which POI's are of importance (all of the) to me? Accuracy is subjective. People that are told Google maps misses POI's don't care, but when Apple does it, it's a sin of some kind...
The facts.
Google has 4 plus years of mapping experience.
Apple was fast on the rushing of the maps application, yes. But they don't force anyone to use it. There is an AppStore. They also, like I have previously stated, have warnings.
Apple, in less than a year, has better mapping in my area.
 
So you know where I live, what places I go to and which POI's are of importance (all of the) to me? Accuracy is subjective. People that are told Google maps misses POI's don't care, but when Apple does it, it's a sin of some kind...
The facts.
Google has 4 plus years of mapping experience.
Apple was fast on the rushing of the maps application, yes. But they don't force anyone to use it. There is an AppStore. They also, like I have previously stated, have warnings.
Apple, in less than a year, has better mapping in my area.

I don't care about where you live or where you go. That's why I said on a worldwide level... in which case accuracy isn't subjective, Google has it.

The facts.
It doesn't matter how much or how little of a head start Google or any other mapping company has over Apple.
Apple was fast on rushing the maps application, took away working maps, and replaced them with their own subpar offering.
Apple DOES force people to use their maps as one can not choose another as their default for Safari or Siri, numerous 3rd party apps, location reminders or Find my Friends/ Phone.

Here it is, 6 months later, and my phone still doesn't even know where my house (or anyone in my community) are.
 
I can only add my opinion based on my experience, but for me Apple Maps is beyond terrible.

I live in Japan and the gulf between Apple Maps and Google Maps is pretty astounding.

Google maps have the names of every building down and great street-level detail for all cities. Apple has nothing. Yes, I repeat nothing, at the building level. This makes it effectively useless.

Often when heading out to a rendezvous, be it restaurant, bar, shop, office, I used google maps and it guided me right to the door. With Apple maps, searches don't return any hits, and most places just don't exist. Joke.

I don't care who defends Apple maps, for me it is unusable when practical reality comes down to it. Pretty it is, no doubt. Does it cut the mustard? No. And that is all a map has to do when it comes down to it.

Apple Maps = Total rubbish.

I hope they work their butts off to rectify the situation. People who defend it aren't using it at a functional level where detail and accuracy are required.
 
I can only add my opinion based on my experience, but for me Apple Maps is beyond terrible.

I live in Japan and the gulf between Apple Maps and Google Maps is pretty astounding.

Google maps have the names of every building down and great street-level detail for all cities. Apple has nothing. Yes, I repeat nothing, at the building level. This makes it effectively useless.

Often when heading out to a rendezvous, be it restaurant, bar, shop, office, I used google maps and it guided me right to the door. With Apple maps, searches don't return any hits, and most places just don't exist. Joke.

I don't care who defends Apple maps, for me it is unusable when practical reality comes down to it. Pretty it is, no doubt. Does it cut the mustard? No. And that is all a map has to do when it comes down to it.

Apple Maps = Total rubbish.

I hope they work their butts off to rectify the situation. People who defend it aren't using it at a functional level where detail and accuracy are required.

You're in luck. iOS 6.1.3 update is all about Maps in Japan and Japan only.... -.-
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.