Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[revs]

Good job that us Apple users are a great community and that we report these issues and advise on misplaced POI's. Right?

Its not a POI, we are talking about towns being in the wrong places.

And no, its not something minor that users can report issues with. Or do you think it'll be OK to drive 20miles in the wrong direction, and then just report it as a map error?

POI errors are acceptable. They arent huge But when you end up in completely the wrong place, thats an issue!

EDIT: and yes I reported the locations as incorrect a long time ago. But they are not fixed. But hey, as long as London and Birmingham and large citys are in the right place, who cares about all the towns!

 

[Joey225]

Are we really expecting this to be up to par with Google maps at first? Something like this takes a lot of time! Mapping the world is a pretty big endeavor...

I do hope that Google makes a maps app for iOS, I'll definitely use it if they do. If not then we still have the web page.

 

[mudman2]

Good job that us Apple users are a great community and that we report these issues and advise on misplaced POI's. Right?

The maps are provided by TomTom right ? If so the maps are better than Google as a starting point

 

[MozMan68]

But hey, as long as London and Birmingham and large citys are in the right place, who cares about all the towns!

Exactly...finally you are getting it....US and major cities outside of US are all that matter.

 

[shotts56]

I tried walking from London Euston railway station to an address not too far away yesterday morning. Apple maps had it in completely the wrong place, and told me it was 1.7 miles away. Google maps (which I opened in safari) had it in the right place at only 0.7 miles away.

I didn't know which was correct so I followed the Apple maps walking directions.

A couple of the streets Apple maps wanted to direct me onto had no names given, so I wasn't sure if I was walking down the right street. Checked google maps on safari to get the street name to confirm that I was.

It turns out that the Apple location was completely wrong, Google had the address exacty where the building was.

Coming away from the event after it had finished, I wondered if there was another tube station closer than the one I had walked from. Apple maps was no good as it doesn't have tube stations, with Google maps I just panned out and they were all shown clearly.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Apple devices but Apple maps is just utterly hopeless. Lets hope google get a dedicated map out soon, because the Apple effort is so bad, its close to useless.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Really don't understand the mentality of people repeating the, "Google have had several years on Apple" mantra.

The fact of the matter is that Apple made this decision not for the benefit of customers, but on a purely business level.

They fell out with Google some time ago & now consider them a competitor.

They threw some money at acquisition and boasted to the press that they could do a better job. Well maybe they can, but it's going to take them a long time and in the meantime some customers suffer whilst they wait for a new Google app.

I can't see how anyone can defend a decision that lessons the functionality for customers.

By the way, I absolutely love the iPhone range of products. I've owned three of the models that have been released so far and intend to purchase another one when my contract is ready for upgrade.

Just because I like these phones, doesn't make me blind to decisions that are made to the detriment of the device.

 

[OllyW]

And no, its not something minor that users can report issues with. Or do you think it'll be OK to drive 20miles in the wrong direction, and then just report it as a map error?

It surprised me when I saw a screenshot from Apple Maps showing Dudley in Hagley!

I'm going to hold back on the upgrade to iOS 6 until I've had change to take a proper look.

 

[craznar]

It surprised me when I saw a screenshot from Apple Maps showing Dudley in Hagley!

I'm going to hold back on the upgrade to iOS 6 until I've had change to take a proper look.

One of the screen shots I saw had Port Philip Bay towards Melbourne in Victoria, AUS.

That is - the bay was located inland

Edit: My bad, wasn't Port Philip Bay, but Port Philip on the map

 

[boltjames]

Really don't understand the mentality of people repeating the, "Google have had several years on Apple" mantra.

The fact of the matter is that Apple made this decision not for the benefit of customers, but on a purely business level.

They fell out with Google some time ago & now consider them a competitor.

They threw some money at acquisition and boasted to the press that they could do a better job. Well maybe they can, but it's going to take them a long time and in the meantime some customers suffer whilst they wait for a new Google app.

I can't see how anyone can defend a decision that lessons the functionality for customers.

By the way, I absolutely love the iPhone range of products. I've owned three of the models that have been released so far and intend to purchase another one when my contract is ready for upgrade.

Just because I like these phones, doesn't make me blind to decisions that are made to the detriment of the device.

It's the other way around.

Google had Apple by the short ones. If Apple didn't build their own maps then Google could have pulled them from the iPhone as a way to incentivize customers to buy Android's instead.

It's pretty dangerous to have a Top 5 feature at the mercy of your biggest competitor.

BJ

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

It's pretty dangerous to have a Top 5 feature at the mercy of your biggest competitor.

Good point - that's very true, but it's even worse to take a Top 5 feature & turn it into a top 200 feature (if that)

 

[iWe]

Engadget's iOS 6 Review:

"If you're missing the old Maps, there may be some good news on the horizon: Google is rumored to be working on its own standalone Maps app for iOS, which would give users the best of both worlds."

http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/18/ios-6-review/#maps

 

[NT1440]

Good point - that's very true, but it's even worse to take a Top 5 feature & turn it into a top 200 feature (if that)

Well then I guess Apple should have developed for another 3 years while google kept all the advantages of their maps while keeping features from iOS.

That makes a lot more sense then a new app that will be amazing when crowd sourcing allows the app to fill out exponentially more in the next several updates.


Guys it's a crowdsourcing app that hasn't hit the millions of users that will be feeding into it yet. Watch as it turns into a hugely impressive tool as it grows over the next few weeks.

 

[smacman]

It's the other way around.

Google had Apple by the short ones. If Apple didn't build their own maps then Google could have pulled them from the iPhone as a way to incentivize customers to buy Android's instead.

It's pretty dangerous to have a Top 5 feature at the mercy of your biggest competitor.

BJ

Utter BS. Had Apple chosen to licence Google Maps and YouTube, Google could not, and would not pull them. Furthermore, if you did some research you would understand that Google has a higher revenue stream from iOS than they do from Android; hence why they are in a rush to release working apps for iOS.

I find it amazing that Apple can tell people that a new connector and an extra row of icons is magical, and a new panorama feature is cutting edge innovation (even though the competition has had this for years), yet the sheep still follow. Never has Apple had a stronger cult following than they do today. Unfortunately cult followings don't usually end so well.

 

[melb00m]

I think Google Maps on iOS was so far behind the Android version, it's not even funny. It was completely outdated in comparison to what a user can expect from a mapping-app in 2012. Apple should have acted much earlier and not let that gap become this big, but probably they did and it just took years already to get to the point they're at right now.

Apple Maps has many good features that some people don't seem to acknlowedge because of their pessimistic attitude. Stick with the ancient iOS 5 then while I enjoy my fantastic turn-by-turn navigation and showing off the awesome FlyOver. If something's missing or I suspect a mistake, I'm always free to use the web-based Google Maps (and probably a Google Maps app from the App Store).

 

[androiphone]

The Google Maps app cannot come soon enough IMO.

 

[smacman]

I think Google Maps on iOS was so far behind the Android version, it's not even funny. It was completely outdated in comparison to what a user can expect from a mapping-app in 2012. Apple should have acted much earlier and not let that gap become this big, but probably they did and it just took years already to get to the point they're at right now.

Apple Maps has many good features that some people don't seem to acknlowedge because of their pessimistic attitude. Stick with the ancient iOS 5 then while I enjoy my fantastic turn-by-turn navigation and showing off the awesome FlyOver. If something's missing or I suspect a mistake, I'm always free to use the web-based Google Maps (and probably a Google Maps app from the App Store).

Google had been fighting for a long time to expand on its iOS offerings. It was Apple that would not allow Google to add functionality. Apple is all about control, and the last thing they would stand for is having an outsider / competitor profiting from its platforms.

iOS users need to understand that they will now suffer because of Apple's greed.

 

[boltjames]

Utter BS. Had Apple chosen to licence Google Maps and YouTube, Google could not, and would not pull them. Furthermore, if you did some research you would understand that Google has a higher revenue stream from iOS than they do from Android; hence why they are in a rush to release working apps for iOS.

I find it amazing that Apple can tell people that a new connector and an extra row of icons is magical, and a new panorama feature is cutting edge innovation (even though the competition has had this for years), yet the sheep still follow. Never has Apple had a stronger cult following than they do today. Unfortunately cult followings don't usually end so well.

Burger King would never allow McDonalds to sell McNuggets in their restaurants no matter how happy it would make their customers and especially because it would make McDonalds more profitable and 'necessary'.

Business school much?

BJ

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Well then I guess Apple should have developed for another 3 years while google kept all the advantages of their maps while keeping features from iOS.

Yes, that's exactly what they should've done. The product should've been developed in the background with Google Maps licensed until such time as Apple were able to put out, at the very least, an equivalent offering.

Anything else is to the detriment of the device & us as customers.

As for the crowdsourcing elements, I'm trying to do my bit on that by having signed up to Yelp this week and already having posted 25 reviews, with plenty more to come. I understand the intention by Apple is to update maps with the information from Yelp at regular intervals.

That still won't compensate for the other navigational aspects that people mention such as accuracy of street names, lack of public transport, street view etc.

 

[NT1440]

Yes, that's exactly what they should've done. The product should've been developed in the background with Google Maps licensed until such time as Apple were able to put out, at the very least, an equivalent offering.

Anything else is to the detriment of the device & us as customers.

As for the crowdsourcing elements, I'm trying to do my bit on that by having signed up to Yelp this week and already having posted 25 reviews, with plenty more to come. I understand the intention by Apple is to update maps with the information from Yelp at regular intervals.

That still won't compensate for the other navigational aspects that people mention such as accuracy of street names, lack of public transport, street view etc.

Tim cook and the head of google met personally to try to reach an agreement before going to court. Other than having google as an option for search the relationship between the companies is broken.

Why do u assume Google wanted to continuing licensing Maps to Apple?

 

[boltjames]

Good point - that's very true, but it's even worse to take a Top 5 feature & turn it into a top 200 feature (if that)

Agree, but necessary in the short term because while Apple spent the last 10 years innovating a mobile UI and mobile hardware Google was innovating maps and local. Copying a phone and an OS is child's play compared to the daunting and laborious task of mapping the planet and every meaningful business within it.

What Apple has that Google didn't is us. Millions of loyal users eager to participate to make the services complete. When I drive, Apple can map my streets. When I'm in traffic, Apple can warn others. When I dine, Apple can locate my restaurant. Google has a lead in these areas now but in a year it'll be upside down, Apple can claim more accurate information and a better experience.

Short term loss, long term win.

BJ

 

[baller1308]

Really don't understand the mentality of people repeating the, "Google have had several years on Apple" mantra.

The fact of the matter is that Apple made this decision not for the benefit of customers, but on a purely business level.

They fell out with Google some time ago & now consider them a competitor.

They threw some money at acquisition and boasted to the press that they could do a better job. Well maybe they can, but it's going to take them a long time and in the meantime some customers suffer whilst they wait for a new Google app.

I can't see how anyone can defend a decision that lessons the functionality for customers.

By the way, I absolutely love the iPhone range of products. I've owned three of the models that have been released so far and intend to purchase another one when my contract is ready for upgrade.

Just because I like these phones, doesn't make me blind to decisions that are made to the detriment of the device.

I agree on some of the things said. I believe it was a business decision, because I'm sure Apple was spending a lot of money for Google to provide maps on the iPhone. I also think that now that they are doing maps themselves, they are able to do what they want with them. I think they wanted to add navigation as a feature and they couldn't do that with Google as the map provider, or possibly couldn't come to some agreement.

While the maps are nowhere near as good as Google, I think they will get better over time. There were improvements from the first beta to GM and I'm sure there will be more improvements along the way since the maps don't reside on the phone. Until Google releases their own native app for the iPhone we can always resort to using Google Maps through Safari.

In my case, Apple's Maps fill my needs, but for others I'm sure they are missing a lot of functionality that Google Maps provided, especially if you live outside the US.

I always wondered why they went with TomTom and not Garmin or Navigon.

 

[ericrwalker]

google is the best

Then buy a Google phone.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I find it amazing that Apple can tell people that a new connector and an extra row of icons is magical, and a new panorama feature is cutting edge innovation (even though the competition has had this for years), yet the sheep still follow. Never has Apple had a stronger cult following than they do today. Unfortunately cult followings don't usually end so well.

People that say things like this frusterate me to no end! I wish I could reach through the screen and slap you in the face, but I will try to keep my response civil.

Where during that 2 hour media event did Apple every say that the new connector is magical? They said it will allow improvements of being thinner and reversable and increased durability. That is true. Is the switch annoying? Sure, but you honestly didn't expect Apple to say "I know this sucks, but we had to change it because we wanted it thinner. All your dock connectors are now obsolete. Oh well" The reality is, it is an improved dock connector.

Where in the 2 hour media event did Apple say the extra row of icons is magical? I remember the extra row was actually only muttered once, like at the end of a sentence " ...and now you'll be able to fit an extra row of icons." Are you complaining that Apple made the screen bigger? Is it an improvement? Should Apple never increase the screen size just because "its been done before"? It's better, so Apple did it. Apple never said it was revolutionary or magical.

Where in the 2 hour media event did Apple say the panorama feature was cutting edge innovation? Again, should Apple never expand to any other features that have been done before? You don't make any sense. Plus, I'm not a big time panorama user, but I do have one panorama app. It requires you to take multiple pictures, making sure to keep them aligned, and stitches them together. Apples way is far easier. I'm not saying nobody else is doing it this way, Apple's may not be the first. But honestly it's my first time to see this implementation and its good.

/rant

 

[smacman]

Burger King would never allow McDonalds to sell McNuggets in their restaurants no matter how happy it would make their customers and especially because it would make McDonalds more profitable and 'necessary'.

Business school much?

BJ

Plenty of business school thanks..

If your BK / McD analogy is so concrete, then why has Apple relied on Google and Yahoo up until now? What do you think changed to make Apple second guess their strategy with regard to these services? What about all of the other external services that iOS continues to rely on?

 

[smacman]

People that say things like this frusterate me to no end! I wish I could reach through the screen and slap you in the face, but I will try to keep my response civil.

Where during that 2 hour media event did Apple every say that the new connector is magical? They said it will allow improvements of being thinner and reversable and increased durability. That is true. Is the switch annoying? Sure, but you honestly didn't expect Apple to say "I know this sucks, but we had to change it because we wanted it thinner. All your dock connectors are now obsolete. Oh well" The reality is, it is an improved dock connector.

Where in the 2 hour media event did Apple say the extra row of icons is magical? I remember the extra row was actually only muttered once, like at the end of a sentence " ...and now you'll be able to fit an extra row of icons." Are you complaining that Apple made the screen bigger? Is it an improvement? Should Apple never increase the screen size just because "its been done before"? It's better, so Apple did it. Apple never said it was revolutionary or magical.

Where in the 2 hour media event did Apple say the panorama feature was cutting edge innovation? Again, should Apple never expand to any other features that have been done before? You don't make any sense. Plus, I'm not a big time panorama user, but I do have one panorama app. It requires you to take multiple pictures, making sure to keep them aligned, and stitches them together. Apples way is far easier. I'm not saying nobody else is doing it this way, Apple's may not be the first. But honestly it's my first time to see this implementation and its good.

/rant

Thanks for keeping it civil. These kind of discussions have a way of getting out of hand..

I don't want to go back and watch the entire keynote again, but some of the quotes were a little over the top for my liking. I'm not an anti Apple guy; in fact with a house full of Apple products, I'm quite the opposite. I've just made a conscious decision to keep a clear head and not vehemently defend Apple at every junction. Instead I like to assess things based on how they actually appear, from my reference frame.

Quotes like:

with features like the all new super fast lightning connector

Apple Stores Offer the Best Buying Experience and Customer Service On The Planet

Today we’re taking it to the next level. Making a huge leap. Going where no-one else has gone

It’s the world’s thinnest smartphone.

iPhone 5 and iOS 6: the biggest things to happen to smartphones since the iPhone.

This is simply amazing. With the enhanced vertical pixels, we've been able to add a 5th row of icons. Simply amazing!

The most amazing feature of the new camera on iPhone 5, is called Panorama. And this is just incredible! What it does is astounding!

I understand this is a marketing presentation, but only Apple could pull this off and actually have their fan base mesmerized. Although I am thoroughly impressed with the external design, there simply wasn't anything ground breaking in this product.

Back to the topic of Maps.. Apple made a decision, for whatever reason to sever ties with Google. This decision will have a negative impact on the usability of the device, but luckily for Apple, some users won't notice because they literally can't fathom the possibility of Apple doing wrong.