Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[Prototypical]

Removing the Google maps app might not have been Apple's choice, y'know.

They had a license. It expired this year. For all we know, it might have been Google rather than Apple that nixed a re-up of the license, either directly or indirectly through insistence of (for example) putting ads in, etc.

For now, there are plenty of good alternatives, such as the various nav apps like Navigon, Copilot Live and Waze (which does an amazing job of urban traffic avoidance).

Apple's map app will improve over time; mapping has been an adaptive, iterative process since time immemorial. And it's not as though Google's map app was always perfect. Just last week, when I was looking for the Fairfield Inn in Tinley Park after arriving at Midway Airport, the traditional iOS 5 Google-based map app insisted it was two miles from the airport in another town with "Park" in its name. Shrug.

Thank you, I came to say exactly this. Everyone is getting bent out of shape about Apple ruining the Maps app, but do we know WHY the relationship with Google was discontinued? Was it Apple's doing, or did Google cut them off? If the latter is true, blame Google for leaving you high and dry.

Like sjinsjca said, the app will improve with time and use. There is nothing that can be done it about it now, so instead of griping about it why not find ways to help Apple make it better? ...or at least follow his advice and pick up a different navigation app, if you don't already have one to account for the old Maps app's shortcomings.

 

[hot spare]

http://daringfireball.net/linked/2012/09/19/ios-6-maps-dash

 

[Brazuca]

Yelp really needs to get its POI database up to date. Apple should be kicking them in the butt to get their stuff together. Can't rely only on people's check ins. They should have some official entries. I'm talking specifically about the United Nations. There are multiple entries, all with the wrong address and different information, wrong title, etc. In Apple Maps, there is only one, but somehow it is not the best choice from the multiple in Yelp's online search.

 

[AppleFan360]

This really sucks! No more street view or am I missing something?

 

[jaymzuk]

TomTom gets their map data from a numerous amounts of mapping companies. Read the fine print. Apple will collect and improve the database by collecting data from iOS users to reach more accurate results. You need to stop "pulling stuff out of your arse."

So basically we're supposed to put up with a sub-par solution so that Apple can monitor our usage in order to improve the map app to something as usable as equivalent apps available for both iOS and competing handsets.

...And yet there are many people on here who vehemently detest anything from Google on the grounds that they might be tracking their usage.

 

[andrunious]

so...I'm kind of nervous about asking Apple Maps for directions...

 

[FearlessFreep]

I'll state again - go to maps.google.com, use the webapp and add the shortcut to your homepage. It's a better alternative than Apple maps right now.

 

[cynics]

I got rid of a tomtom standalone because the map data was so bad and the routing was crap (this was pre iq routes).

The maps in iOS 6 are just as freaking bad. This is near my house. Notice the railroad tracks.

Those tracks were removed during WW2 for the steel to make tanks.

Here's how it actually looks.

No signs of those tracks. I can't believe this low level of quality is on an idevice!!

 

[nickn]

There is nothing that can be done it about it now, so instead of griping about it why not find ways to help Apple make it better?

Why should we? We paid Apple insane markups on dated hardware, and now you are saying we should do their job for them? Maybe we should start doing other companies jobs to, like make your own pizza at Pizza Hut, or stock grocery stores in your area just to help out... What kind of idiot pays to do work??? Apple needs to fix the maps, not us!!!

No signs of those tracks. I can't believe this low level of quality is on an idevice!!

I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but I know someone who drives a freight train, and I think they would be disappointed.

 

[matttye]

On closer inspection, other than looking pretty there's really not a lot going for these maps.

LOADS of POIs missing and some POIs are in the wrong place. Apparently my local pub is about 200 metres from where it actually is.

Icons aren't good enough (rail and underground stations use the same icons).

Not as good as Google

 

[Prototypical]

Why should we? We paid Apple insane markups on dated hardware, and now you are saying we should do their job for them? Maybe we should start doing other companies jobs to, like make your own pizza at Pizza Hut, or stock grocery stores in your area just to help out... What kind of idiot pays to do work??? Apple needs to fix the maps, not us!!!

You're totally right. Griping will solve the problem so much faster.

BURN DOWN APPLE'S HEADQUARTERS BECAUSE THE MAPS ARE BAD! SMASH ALL THE THINGS!

 

[jav6454]

To all those fanboys saying "Oh, it may be Google's fault that there is no Google Maps license", I say this... Why on earth then, hasn't Google Maps stopped working on older devices?!

If it were a license, then it means all iPhone OS based devices should loose Google Maps abilities as soon as it expires. No, this decision was done by apple and it is a horrible decision driven by the idiocy to put out maps to quickly. I bet one more year of R&D would have made these maps worth it. Right now, utter crap.

 

[matttye]

You're totally right. Griping will solve the problem so much faster.

BURN DOWN APPLE'S HEADQUARTERS BECAUSE THE MAPS ARE BAD! SMASH ALL THE THINGS!

I've reported five problems/missing POIs in my little village.. let's see how long it takes them to fix the problems/add information.

Figure that's got to be more productive than whining

 

[cynics]

Why should we? We paid Apple insane markups on dated hardware, and now you are saying we should do their job for them? Maybe we should start doing other companies jobs to, like make your own pizza at Pizza Hut, or stock grocery stores in your area just to help out... What kind of idiot pays to do work??? Apple needs to fix the maps, not us!!!



I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic or not, but I know someone who drives a freight train, and I think they would be disappointed.

No sarcasm. There are no railroad tracks there nor have there been in 60+ years. Where is tomtom getting their data from?!

 

[linkgx1]

Okay, Maps are offically 100x better on Andriod. This app is missing soo much!

 

[flyguy206]

Apple maps works just fine. What is funny is people crazy about wanting change then when they get change they cry about it.

 

[matttye]

Apple maps works just fine. What is funny is people crazy about wanting change then when they get change they cry about it.

People usually want changes to improve the experience, not hamper it.

 

[davehutch]

I got rid of a tomtom standalone because the map data was so bad and the routing was crap (this was pre iq routes).

The maps in iOS 6 are just as freaking bad. This is near my house. Notice the railroad tracks.


Those tracks were removed during WW2 for the steel to make tanks.

Here's how it actually looks.


No signs of those tracks. I can't believe this low level of quality is on an idevice!!

Out of interest, what does it look like in Google Maps?

 

[FearlessFreep]

Apple maps works just fine. What is funny is people crazy about wanting change then when they get change they cry about it.

It doesn't work just fine, especially compared to the application that it replaces. Change is great if it improves upon the status quo. That's not the case here.

 

[Cod3rror]

LOL at everyone that thought Apple would somehow catch up to Google within couple of month.

Google are masters of data and web services, that's what they do.

They've spent a lot of money and time developing Google Maps, years of driving, mapping, correcting, tagging, etc...

They have the best and the most detailed maps right now. There is no way Apple is catching up to them, even with third party help.

This could be a blessing in disguise though, I hope Google releases a standalone Google Maps app. And if they do, it'll be iOS independent and hence more frequently updated and improved.

 

[theautopilot]

Apple maps works just fine. What is funny is people crazy about wanting change then when they get change they cry about it.

No, it does not.

And who asked for a change? I did not mad I don't recall many people asking either.

I can believe how many errors there are and the total lack of detail.

 

[nickn]

You're totally right. Griping will solve the problem so much faster.

If every consumer complains about it, which at this points seems likely, Apple could, for example, very quickly put Google Maps back. Standing idle and praising Apple will not tell them who is in charge, the consumer.

 

[AppleInTheMud]

The new maps app ???? What the heck...

It's black and white - With the Google App I had maps over pavements and everything. Now I only have the Major roads ??????


iOS 6 is a disapointment but MAPS IS FUXXXX YOU'RE CUSTOMERS IN THE A§§

Grrrrrrrrrr - now it's USELESS !!!!

 

[retrospek]

Great work Apple:

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/2012/09/19/uk-maps-in-ios-6-one-word-rubbish/

 

[hasanahmad]

why not use Google Earth app