Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[StephenCampbell]

We need to bully Apple into bringing Google Maps back. This is completely unacceptable.

The years of experience and investment of time, hardware, software, research and development infused in Google's map technology will not be matched by anything else anytime soon. Apple is kidding itself if it thinks it can compete. Google maps is practically God maps at this point.

 

[matttye]

We need to bully Apple into bringing Google Maps back. This is completely unacceptable.

The years of experience and investment of time, hardware, software, research and development infused in Google's map technology will not be matched by anything else anytime soon. Apple is kidding itself if it thinks it can compete. Google maps is practically God maps at this point.

It's infuriating but you just know that Apple's not going to give us Google Maps back. Hopefully, at the very least, they will work tirelessly to improve the abysmal experience.

I've sent them feedback pleading for Google Maps' return anyway.

----------

Ad on Google:

"Ad related to apple maps
iOS 6: Maps | apple.com
www.apple.com/uk/ios6
May just be the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."

Shows how out of touch these idiots really are.

 

[mcdj]

I wonder if the FCC has any say in this matter.

Apple sold me a phone last October, which I purchased based on features as explained to me at the Apple store, and in their advertising.


Then they removed a key feature that was used by Apple to encourage me to buy the phone....Google maps.

They added a less capable replacement, which may or may not get better.

 

[matttye]

I wonder if the FCC has any say in this matter.

Apple sold me a phone last October, which I purchased based on features as explained to me at the Apple store, and in their advertising.


Then they removed a key feature that was used by Apple to encourage me to buy the phone....Google maps.

They added a less capable replacement, which may or may not get better.

Worth a shot. Something needs to be done.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

For those of you hoping for a prompt Google Maps app release, what makes you think Apple will approve it? Remember that Apple does not approve apps that duplicate iOS functionality.

That has been my concern, but not from the perspective of duplication of functionality, although that is the excuse they could use, more from the point of view of competition with Google, which is why we're here in the first place.

A worldwide petition for both Google to create an application and Apple to approve it ASAP, would generate some signatures & attention I believe, I'd certainly sign it.

 

[Baz77]

Yup the new maps is woefull. I've posted a feedback at the apple web site and signed

http://www.change.org/petitions/google-maps-for-ios-release-an-updated-google-maps-for-ios#share

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-google-maps/

wouldn't surprise me if more petitions pop up

 

[mnemonix]

Apple needs to issue a software update now, that restores the Google maps app complete with its system wide integration, if not worldwide, then for anyone outside the US for whom they have provided a product that is not fit for purpose. Until their own product is ready for prime time, this is the only acceptable option available to them.

Humble pie it might be, but the PR disaster that awaits them if they don't threatens to severely damage their reputation. The iPhone 5 isn't even in peoples hands yet. The biggest, most successful smartphone launch in history and when people fire it up for the first time they'll be met with this rubbish?

 

[theautopilot]

There is a small town near me that is completely missing. Also several large villages.

Do people honestly believe that Apple can fix this with an app update? It takes years to map a country. The only way we will have a usable map in the foreseeable future is if they change map provider.

The sad thing is that the UK is probably one if the most, if not the most, well mapped countries in the world due to the fine tradition of the Ordnance Survey . There are so many providers, I have used many many map, but nothing even close to being this bad.

 

[mnemonix]

A worldwide petition for both Google to create an application and Apple to approve it ASAP, would generate some signatures & attention I believe, I'd certainly sign it.

I'd love to get a new google maps app, but in the meantime Apple have to take responsibility for their error. They could restore the old Google map app in one software update until their own product was fit for purpose if they wanted to. We just have to give them a reason to want to.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Yup the new maps is woefull. I've posted a feedback at the apple web site and signed

http://www.change.org/petitions/google-maps-for-ios-release-an-updated-google-maps-for-ios#share

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/bring-back-google-maps/

wouldn't surprise me if more petitions pop up

Thank you for posting these.

Unfortunately the first of those petitions doesn't really use the correct language I think, although it's possibly true, referring to the Apple Maps product as junk probably doesn't strengthen the case.

The second one seems to be specifically for some website called Geocaches?

There needs to be one, without any insults, that asks for Google to release a maps product on iOS & requests that Apple approve it ASAP.

By all means, Apple could (and will) continue to develop their own product in the background, but it is apparent from reading this thread that even though my local city Manchester fares pretty well, that a whole lot of people are having problems with the new app.

 

[mnemonix]

There needs to be one, without any insults, that asks for Google to release a maps product on iOS & requests that Apple approve it ASAP.

It seems odd to petition a company (Google) that has effectively done no wrong while not properly targeting the company that has (Apple).

I do understand the aspect of petitioning Apple to accept a Google app if they choose to make one, but I expect that will purely be a commercial decision on Google's part not a response to a petition.

Why not petition Apple to remedy their disgraceful actions and issue a software update reinstating Google maps until their own product is ready. If Google make a new app too, so much the better, but Apple need to fix this first, and right now for users who rely on this functionality.

 

[Cybbe]

Yes because even in Japan Google was driving around in all their little cars with the camera on top. Looks like ET. However, that was for street view and nothing to do with their satellite or 2D overlays. Or was it? Did those cars also provide street level location data for their 2D imagery? I don't know and I don't know who they were working with for that data.

Google maps for Japan are sourced from Zenrin. This is even specified on the map. I don't know how many adjustments Google make. Notice that Japan cannot be downloaded from offline use on Android, almost 100% sure this is due to licensing restrictions.

To be fair, it is my understanding that yahoo.co.jp is used more by locals, although it is useless if you can't write or read Japanese.

Apple maps are a joke.

 

[Kanunu]

Aesthetics vs. Practicality

Despite all the back and forth here about contracts, perhaps the switch away from Google maps had an aesthetic aspect. Why clutter up a pretty map with untidy things like street names?

It is likely that few here remember going in to a service station (what a name!) and getting free maps for each state as one traveled. The level of detail was similarly lacking. Perhaps the answer is here: http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-skeuomorphic-design-2012-9 which links to this: http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670760/will-apples-tacky-software-design-philosophy-cause-a-revolt

These describe skeuomorphic design as software replicating the look of physical objects. Could Apple be trying to emulate not Google, but a road map from the 60's?

 

[0970373]

Not good enough because we've lost all of the integration with the OS, like clicking on a contacts address for example.

It opened the map and put a pin in the correct location when I tried that with a few different addresses.

 

[Dino F]

Don't understand why the Apple Maps are so unclear??! This pic shows a 'Service Station' in someone's house!!!!! I know for a fact that there hasn't been a service station down this road for absolutely years......!?!?!?

 

[mnemonix]

It opened the map and put a pin in the correct location when I tried that with a few different addresses.

What opened the map? And which map did it open?

 

[0970373]

What opened the map? And which map did it open?

I clicked on an address in my contacts and it opened the Apple Maps. Works ok for me.

 

[matttye]

It opened the map and put a pin in the correct location when I tried that with a few different addresses.

I clicked on an address in my contacts and it opened the Apple Maps. Works ok for me.

What I meant was that we can continue to use the web version of Google Maps and even add it as a web clip to the home screen, but there's no integration with the OS in doing that. Apple Maps is integrated, but Google Maps is not. If we tap on a contact's address it loads in Apple Maps, not Google Maps.

The solution of using the web clip is therefore incomplete.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

It seems odd to petition a company (Google) that has effectively done no wrong while not properly targeting the company that has (Apple).

You are absolutely correct in your sentiment and I totally agree with you that it is Apple that have released a sub-standard product.

I don't believe for a minute, however, that Apple will do a complete climbdown and reinstate Google maps as an integrated iOS product.

They made such a big hullabaloo about being able to do this better than anyone else, that it would be far too much of an embarrassment for them.

They might however allow Google to slide their non-integrated application through application approval & continue to develop the Apple offering over time.

That's about as much of a concession as we're ever likely to get, I feel and therefore the best target outcome for any petition.

 

[patent10021]

To be fair, it is my understanding that yahoo.co.jp is used more by locals, although it is useless if you can't write or read Japanese.

Yahoo is used heavily for train schedules and still a bit for navigation and search but it has pretty much changed over to Google since around the time the iPhone 4 came out.

 

[matttye]

You are absolutely correct in your sentiment and I totally agree with you that it is Apple that have released a sub-standard product.

I don't believe for a minute, however, that Apple will do a complete climbdown and reinstate Google maps as an integrated iOS product.

They made such a big hullabaloo about being able to do this better than anyone else, that it would be far too much of an embarrassment for them.

They might however allow Google to slide their own non-integrated application through application approval & continue to develop their own offering over time.

That's about as much of a concession as we're ever likely to get, I feel and therefore the best target outcome for any petition.

Hopefully they'll at least have the decency to add new POIs and fix reported problems quickly. I reported five yesterday, I'll post back here when/if they're sorted out.

Apple did a major U-turn with web apps vs. native apps so they might add Google back, but I can't see it

 

[0970373]

What I meant was that we can continue to use the web version of Google Maps and even add it as a web clip to the home screen, but there's no integration with the OS in doing that. Apple Maps is integrated, but Google Maps is not. If we tap on a contact's address it loads in Apple Maps, not Google Maps.

The solution of using the web clip is therefore incomplete.

Well of course they aren't integrated. That's the point of new maps. Apple & Google aren't friends anymore. You'll just have to adjust your process or go android.

Do I love the new maps app? No. I hope it's great someday. A little annoying to take a couple of new or different steps but that's what it is right now. Copy & paste it. It literally took 10 more seconds to do that.

 

[Tech198]

Apple

Google have been in this for a long time..

Apple hasan't

Its like apple diving in the "deep end and can't swin"

They'll impove Maps, but Google is gonna be ahead always, as they have had a head start...

Apple deciding to go their own way, is the worse thing thy've done..

Same with search.

 

[declandio]

The more that time passes, the more 'think different' means 'think about something other than Apple'.

 

[mnemonix]

Apparently you don't understand what a beta is. If you are a real developer you would surely understand that its not perfect yet.

But seriously, yeah, Beta.

If this was the final version, you would have every right to be disappointed

They should really ban some people from using BETA software...they should start with the OP.

You act like Apple can't update the maps before GM is released.

[sarcasm] How dare Apple (or any company) release non production ready betas. Shame on them. [/sarcasm]

beta 1 and its a disaster?

This just on page 1 of this thread. So how do you guys feel about it now? Bet you're not feeling quite so smug? What was that about being a real developer ECUpirate? It would be too easy to go through every page of this thread and call each and every one of you smug idiots out for your attitude back than...