Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

It's just not possible to have something huge like this ready and 100% complete right from the start. Not gonna happen!
If it was, Android would have been perfect in version one, because it needed to compete with the (far ahead) iOS. But eventually they catched up, and now it's a matter of choice than just mere features.

I think the big problem here is more that people are so much used to the look & feel of Google Maps that they find it hard to learn something new.

I would have been disappointed if all we would've gotten again was the same Maps app than in all iOS versions before, because since the initial version practically nothing has changed! And I bet this is not just Apples fault.
 
melb00m said:
It's just not possible to have something huge like this ready and 100% complete right from the start. Not gonna happen!
If it was, Android would have been perfect in version one, because it needed to compete with the (far ahead) iOS. But eventually they catched up, and now it's a matter of choice than just mere features.

I think the big problem here is more that people are so much used to the look & feel of Google Maps that they find it hard to learn something new.

I would have been disappointed if all we would've gotten again was the same Maps app than in all iOS versions before, because since the initial version practically nothing has changed! And I bet this is not just Apples fault.
Click to expand...

They could have kept Google Maps until it wasn't SO far behind.

Apple Maps are practically empty. I don't think they're usable in their current form. :(
 
matttye said:
They could have kept Google Maps until it wasn't SO far behind.

Apple Maps are practically empty. I don't think they're usable in their current form. :(
Click to expand...

What do you mean empty?! Have you even used them? They just look different, but when you zoom in, all the information is there.
It's a different style, much cleaner, but all the roads are there. They use road data from TomTom, after all.
 
melb00m said:
What do you mean empty?! Have you even used them? They just look different, but when you zoom in, all the information is there.
It's a different style, much cleaner, but all the roads are there. They use road data from TomTom, after all.
Click to expand...

No, there's definitely less data outside of the US at least.
 
melb00m said:
What do you mean empty?! Have you even used them? They just look different, but when you zoom in, all the information is there.
It's a different style, much cleaner, but all the roads are there. They use road data from TomTom, after all.
Click to expand...

Not used them yet myself, just read lots of reviews.

http://gizmodo.com/5918176/google-maps-vs-apple-maps-a-side-by-side-comparison

"devoid of useful information" - I've seen hundreds of comments like this in reviews of Apple Maps.

Not that I care, I won't use them on my iPad and I have an Android phone.

The roads are there yeah, they're just missing names!!
 
So I haven't upgraded yet and I do like the Google Maps app so here is a question (and not at all intended to be smart a$$), but does google maps work through safari? I know it probably won't be as integrated nor isn't the ideal method.

I'm disappointed to hear of the shortcomings, but then again, why do I imagine (right or wrong) that Apple will want us, as users, to provide feedback through the new iOS6 while we work the maps which will in turn, build a better app? ie. user based...

Cheers,
keebler
 
Keebler said:
So I haven't upgraded yet and I do like the Google Maps app so here is a question (and not at all intended to be smart a$$), but does google maps work through safari? I know it probably won't be as integrated nor isn't the ideal method.

I'm disappointed to hear of the shortcomings, but then again, why do I imagine (right or wrong) that Apple will want us, as users, to provide feedback through the new iOS6 while we work the maps which will in turn, build a better app? ie. user based...

Cheers,
keebler
Click to expand...

Google Maps works fine in Safari.

Apple Maps will of course improve over time, but the question is do you want to wait for them to improve or would you rather just have Google's better-at-present maps?

Ah well, no use complaining, it's not like we can do anything about it I guess.
 
matttye said:
So why remove a very good mapping solution and replace it with one that's very much in its' infancy? Maps is a very important app. People rely on it to find their way around. To take something that works extremely well and has had years of refinement, and replace it with something that's absolutely pants, is crazy.

Do they care about their customers at all? Why not keep Google Maps while they refine their own maps for a few years and then give it to customers when it's more ready for prime time?

Image

Says it all really.
Click to expand...

It's vector based - zoom in a tiny bit and the names all appear, as shown in my iPhone screenshot...

IMG_0005.PNG.jpg


Says it all really.

----------

What's more - goto settings, maps, change the label size from medium to small and the maps text shows up sooner, without zooming in quite so much.

IMG_0007.PNG.jpg
 
That's what I meant. All the road-info is there, but the labels are shown much later than in Google Maps. I'm from Germany, so also not from the US.

I think something in the middle between Apple's solution and Google Maps would be perfect. In my opinion, Google Maps is way to cluttered, whereas Apple's is to clean. Although it's good to have a clean map to see the orientation of streets around you, the names of the main roads should be there from a higher zoom level, because that's important for orientation as well.

Apart from that, Navigation works great (as I said, it's Tomtom) and everything is MUCH more fluid.

My main reason of concern right now are the POIs, but I'm sure Yelp will fill up really quick once iOS 6 hits the public.
 
zerolight said:
It's vector based - zoom in a tiny bit and the names all appear, as shown in my iPhone screenshot...

Image

Says it all really.

----------

What's more - goto settings, maps, change the label size from medium to small and the maps text shows up sooner, without zooming in quite so much.

Image
Click to expand...

Looks better when zoomed in. Can you take screenshots from Google Maps in the same location for comparison?
 
I guess we will know tomorrow. I depend on google maps and I hate the idea of spending all that money for an inferior map application. Yes, I've tried it. I also have this part of me that hate's Apple's long term tendency to try and make everything proprietary. If Google is going to release a maps app then I'll probably buy the iphone5 and just hide the apple maps app from view. Otherwise I'm probably going to go with an alternative phone.

One thing I do know for sure is that I won't be upgrading my iphone4 tomorrow to ios6.
 
Brad L said:
I guess we will know tomorrow. I depend on google maps and I hate the idea of spending all that money for an inferior map application. Yes, I've tried it. I also have this part of me that hate's Apple's long term tendency to try and make everything proprietary. If Google is going to release a maps app then I'll probably buy the iphone5 and just hide the apple maps app from view. Otherwise I'm probably going to go with an alternative phone.

One thing I do know for sure is that I won't be upgrading my iphone4 tomorrow to ios6.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to tell this to you, but does that imply you would've preferred OpenStreetMap to have an "open" solution? THIS really would be unacceptable.

Google Maps is _not_ open, and Google has actually already tested the boundaries how far they can go in pricing with their monopoly position:

http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.de/2011/10/introduction-of-usage-limits-to-maps.html

They recently stepped back from that and reduced the prices, and I'm absolutely sure that's because of the raising competition from Apple and Amazon, the latter providing free access to it's maps for developers.

http://googlegeodevelopers.blogspot.de/2012/06/lower-pricing-and-simplified-limits.html

Competition IS good. Always.
 
we will soon forget google maps on iphone if apple continue improving thier current maps, for 4 betas and a GM its a great achievement and i use it recently forturn by turn direction and it works great, for users who still need google maps this will also be in the app market soon
 
matttye said:
Apple Maps will of course improve over time, but the question is do you want to wait for them to improve
Click to expand...

There's also other questions :

- Will Apple maps improve faster than Google Maps so that it eventually catches up or will it always remain a second rate citizen.

- Will Apple keep diligently updating it or will they move ressources to the next "big thing" like they often do with these side projects after initial release.

- What happens if eventually their mapping system turns to ping/mobileme and gets abandonned ?
 
matttye said:
Google Maps works fine in Safari.

Apple Maps will of course improve over time, but the question is do you want to wait for them to improve or would you rather just have Google's better-at-present maps?

Ah well, no use complaining, it's not like we can do anything about it I guess.
Click to expand...

I wonder how long it will take Google to release their standalone version. Sounds like it would be smarter to be faster while folks aren't as happy.
 
matttye said:
Google Maps also has: -

- Better maps (more street level detail, points of interests, etc.)
- Transit navigation
- Walking directions
- Street view
- First person view for points of interests (you can look around bars and venues as if you were actually there)

Apple clearly just want to get rid of Google from their OS. Not surprising really as they are rivals, but it would be nice if they at least provided something as good or better.
Click to expand...

I know of all the extra features etc.

I have both an iPhone 4S (factory unlocked and using it with T-Mobile) and my Android solution which is a Samsung Galaxy S2 (no I don't easily confuse one for the other ;) )

The other features I really find useful in Google maps on Android other than what I previously mentioned and the things you feel that I left out are the "Labs" features.

One rather useful feature (for me anyways), is the measuring tool where you can tap various points on a route you may be planning on your own and it will roughly calculate the distance to travel.

I may update my iPhone to hopefully solve the notorious Facebook notification bug but hold off on my iPad 2.

One ugly feeling I have though is when/if Google or Apple will close the port for the embedded iOS Google Maps app that while rather old, has become a staple for iPhone users for years now.

Sure Google will further polish the Maps app on Android to hope sway some sales to various other phones, I just hope they still support iOS in maps even if it's a couple steps behind the Android counterpart.

As a standby, there is always Google Earth which may not be as detailed as maps (never intended to be) but at least you will still have access to Google's satellite imagery or by using Safari.
 
Ungibbed said:
Sure Google will further polish the Maps app on Android to hope sway some sales to various other phones, I just hope they still support iOS in maps even if it's a couple steps behind the Android counterpart.
Click to expand...

You know what... If I were Google I would just sit back for a while and watch Apple crash and burn.

Why would they be in any rush to create a Google maps app? If Apple gives their customers a bad enough experience, then it's Android's gain.
 
firestarter said:
You know what... If I were Google I would just sit back for a while and watch Apple crash and burn.

Why would they be in any rush to create a Google maps app? If Apple gives their customers a bad enough experience, then it's Android's gain.
Click to expand...

Hah...what are you smoking? I want some...
 
firestarter said:
You know what... If I were Google I would just sit back for a while and watch Apple crash and burn.

Why would they be in any rush to create a Google maps app? If Apple gives their customers a bad enough experience, then it's Android's gain.
Click to expand...

Google makes more money from their stuff on iOS than from Android. That's why.
 
Apple maps won't improve unless they make an equivalent to Google Map Maker AND use someone other than TomTom (their data sucks outside the US)
 
firestarter said:
You know what... If I were Google I would just sit back for a while and watch Apple crash and burn.

Why would they be in any rush to create a Google maps app? If Apple gives their customers a bad enough experience, then it's Android's gain.
Click to expand...

If Google refuses to make a Google Maps app, there could be three different results.

One: People hate the Apple Maps app despite it or buy an alternative mapping solution from the app store

Two: User created front ends to use the web portion of Google Maps (many of these for the BlackBerry PlayBook as the Bing! native app just sucks.

Three: People move on and buy a Android device for Google Maps...


Any way you put it, it's a lose for everyone. Oh well. :(

I don't understand how or why Apple Maps is special in any way. Google had converted to vector based maps long ago. 3D buildings and all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back