Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[cfc]

This. It will come down to how Apple builds its backend support system. Every map has errors. Google seems to have build an impressive system to identify (auto and user reported) and correct those ASAP.

Right now I see Apple having to refer these to TomTom or whichever company gives them the map data. If they don't push them really hard to be responsive, this will go beyond "growing pains", and it will become Common Knowledge that their maps are inferior to Google's. That would be a branding disaster and a terrible thing for Apple against Android.

I think it's now common knowledge that Apple's maps are inferior.

I'm not sure if it's worth giving Apple any feedback. As a developer who has used the app for the last few months I have come to the conclusion that Apple completely ignore any feedback on the maps. I have been complaining about them for months in various ways, but with no response. Although now they actually have the massive negative publicity that we have been warning them about then maybe they will be more reactive.

I remember when the first beta came out deciding not to point out the many obvious errors (like UK motorways being the wrong colour) because they were bound to fix that I assumed, but to instead concentrate on the more subtle errors. In the end they just ignored everything, preferring to make sure that the flyovers looked pretty.

I don't blame the developers because the app is actually very nicely coded. It's very smooth and some aspects are fantastic. It's the managers who are to blame for ignoring the feedback that was telling them that the underlying 2D data was crap.

Whoever decided to rely on TomTom data so much for a generic mapping application was an imbecile. It is not just drivers who use smartphone apps. It is ridiculous that some of the most well known streets in the world are practically invisible because they don't allow private cars. And how come so many towns are missing? That can't be down to TomTom's data, which is pretty good at getting from A to B (by car), so I assume Apple are just using it incorrectly.

I must admit that, unlike my most of my fellow Apple fans, I was never that keen on Steve Job's abrasive methods, but he would not have allowed the Maps app to be released in the state it is. Heads would have rightly rolled.

Maybe I am just bitter after having tried to warn Apple so many times only to be completely ignored. I am tempted to follow up my "Potential PR Disaster" email from last month with an "I told you so" email, but that would undoubtedly be ignored as well (justifiably this time).

As a developer I feel massively let down. I have spent literally years working on an app that uses the iPhone maps as a background and in one go Apple have compromised my app (and thousands of others) with their new maps. Nice one Apple.

 

[Parise]

You agreed to the iOS EULA allowing Apple to replace whatever they want on your phone whenever, so...

People got to where they needed to go just fine before smartphones and mobile "map apps" existed...roadmaps, various map sites, etc, etc. You can wait.

There is absolutely no way you're not an Apple PR guy/girl. I refuse to believe someone is this ignorant without reason.

 

[Dudical]

If Apple says the maps are better, then they are better. End of thread.

To those complaining about transit maps: maybe you should get a car like a grown-up.

 

[gkarris]

If not already stated:

Use the Google Maps Web App....

This. (Go to maps.google.com in safari)

It won't give us back street view, but at least the map data, POIs, place/area names, and look-and-feel will be correct.

This this...

Just loaded iOS 6 on my iPad - maps not as bad as I thought it would be - but Google Maps is still available, and an iOS Native App soon...

Also just downloaded Chrome for iOS....

At least there are a lot of choices...

 

[Brazuca]

I think it's now common knowledge that Apple's maps are inferior.

I'm not sure if it's worth giving Apple any feedback. As a developer who has used the app for the last few months I have come to the conclusion that Apple completely ignore any feedback on the maps. I have been complaining about them for months in various ways, but with no response. Although now they actually have the massive negative publicity that we have been warning them about then maybe they will be more reactive.

I remember when the first beta came out deciding not to point out the many obvious errors (like UK motorways being the wrong colour) because they were bound to fix that I assumed, but to instead concentrate on the more subtle errors. In the end they just ignored everything, preferring to make sure that the flyovers looked pretty.

I don't blame the developers because the app is actually very nicely coded. It's very smooth and some aspects are fantastic. It's the managers who are to blame for ignoring the feedback that was telling them that the underlying 2D data was crap.

Whoever decided to rely on TomTom data so much for a generic mapping application was an imbecile. It is not just drivers who use smartphone apps. It is ridiculous that some of the most well known streets in the world are practically invisible because they don't allow private cars. And how come so many towns are missing? That can't be down to TomTom's data, which is pretty good at getting from A to B (by car), so I assume Apple are just using it incorrectly.

I must admit that, unlike my most of my fellow Apple fans, I was never that keen on Steve Job's abrasive methods, but he would not have allowed the Maps app to be released in the state it is. Heads would have rightly rolled.

Maybe I am just bitter after having tried to warn Apple so many times only to be completely ignored. I am tempted to follow up my "Potential PR Disaster" email from last month with an "I told you so" email, but that would undoubtedly be ignored as well (justifiably this time).

As a developer I feel massively let down. I have spent literally years working on an app that uses the iPhone maps as a background and in one go Apple have compromised my app (and thousands of others) with their new maps. Nice one Apple.

Read the link I posted on top of this page. There are some good points about where the problems lie. Would be interesting to see your take. Good luck developing, in any case.

 

[theinstructor]

There is absolutely no way you're not an Apple PR guy/girl. I refuse to believe someone is this ignorant without reason.

You NAILED it Parise. +10. Shulerg, YOU FAIL NOW GO. GO QUICKLY BEFORE WE IMPLODE!

 

[cyks]

2) Still, i don't think this can be labelled as a an "epic fail" à la MobileMe launch:
First, it makes lot of sense for Apple to try owning the maps part of the experience. They couldn't forever be tied to what is, corporate wise, an enemy. The move had to be done, sooner or later.
Given that they had to launch, someday or the other, i don't think is possible to launch a glitch-free map app without involving millions of users in the beta. Users that report bugs and the infinite imperfections that a single engineering team simply could not find, ever. PR wise they should have probably called it a beta, but they couldn't keep the google app running side by side. At this stage it's superior, and people would likely use the app they have grown accustomed to, without "working for Apple" in improving the map app. Not to mention how awkward would have it been if they launched their map app with a competitor back-up pre-installed.
Secondly, we must concede that making an app map, involving routes, satellite imagery etc. it's an epic effort and investment, and it takes time, it's inevitable. But again, you need users to help you. Remember when Google launched street view? Certainly only few streets were covered at the time, but no one complained or reported things like "my street does not exist". It takes years and millions of investments to perfect, it's a fact. Yes, we are "paying" for a inevitable corporate decision, but i believe it's a correct one and i don't think Apple could possibly do things much better than this (a part form not properly labelling it as beta).

I get that they need the millions of people using the maps in order to fix them, but it should be an option. Not something that is forced upon us while they rip the mapping system that worked away from us.

Using Google's web page or other nav software isn't going to fix the countless apps that are now broken.

 

[torndownunit]

It was never supposed to be? Are you high or just that blind?

"Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps gives you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature.1 All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever."

Really? The most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever? I'm pretty sure thats a big statement for a headlining application of a major software update if it was never meant to be "perfect".

I am really not sure how people keep arguing this point. Apple made it a key component, and touted as being that good. It is clearly not.

 

[Benbikeman]

That can't be down to TomTom's data, which is pretty good at getting from A to B (by car)

No, it's not. TomTom navigation has always been pants compared to Garmin, so I knew Apple's navigation was going to be poor from the moment I heard they'd partnered with TomTom. It's that decision which is the root cause of the problems, and it mystifies me why Apple would have made that choice given the option to go with Garmin instead.

 

[Brazuca]

http://blog.telemapics.com/?p=399

If you go back over this blog and follow my recounting of the history of Google’s attempts at developing a quality mapping service, you will notice that they initially tried to automate the entire process and failed miserably, as has Apple. Google learned that you cannot take the human out of the equation. While the mathematics of mapping appear relatively straight forward, I can assure you that if you take the informed human observer who possesses local and cartographic knowledge out of the equation that you will produce exactly what Apple has produced – A failed system.

The issue plaguing Apple Maps is not mathematics or algorithms, it is data quality and there can be little doubt about the types of errors that are plaguing the system. What is happening to Apple is that their users are measuring data quality. User’s look for familiar places they know on maps and use these as methods of orienting themselves, as well as for testing the goodness of maps. They compare maps with reality to determine their location. They query local businesses to provide local services. When these actions fail, the map has failed and this is the source of Apple’s most significant problems. Apple’s maps are incomplete, illogical, positionally erroneous, out of date, and suffer from thematic inaccuracies.

...

2. I suspect that the data and routing functionality that they have from TomTom, while not the best, is simply not the source of their problems. Their problem is that they thought they did not have a problem. From my perspective, this is the mark of an organization that does not have the experience or know-how to manage a large-scale mapping project. Apple needs to hire some experts in mapping and people who are experienced in mapping and understand the problems that can and do occur when compiling complex spatial databases designed for mapping, navigation and local search.

 

[cynics]

If Apple says the maps are better, then they are better. End of thread.

To those complaining about transit maps: maybe you should get a car like a grown-up.

Before everyone starts quoting this, its sarcasm.

 

[DaffyDuck]

Google seems to have build an impressive system to identify (auto and user reported) and correct those ASAP..

Yes, the system is called..."7000 employees".

http://www.businessinsider.com/to-d...s-apple-would-have-to-hire-7000-people-2012-6

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Image
Lol looks like apple got a bit annoyed.

That is unbelievable, I just tried the search for Tarsdorf and when you zoom in, that's exactly the image that comes up.

That's one place they definitely need to get the street names sorted out as a matter of urgency.

 

[Splen]

If Apple says the maps are better, then they are better. End of thread.

To those complaining about transit maps: maybe you should get a car like a grown-up.

Ohoho, this gave me a chuckle

 

[Brazuca]

Yes, the system is called..."7000 employees".

http://www.businessinsider.com/to-d...s-apple-would-have-to-hire-7000-people-2012-6

Exactly. It's what it takes. As I said before, Apple better make sure its data sources are responsive to error reports. I just don't see how. Too many pieces to tie together.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

. . . Where's Apple's process to submit these problem reports?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1448604/

I get that they need the millions of people using the maps in order to fix them, but it should be an option. Not something that is forced upon us while they rip the mapping system that worked away from us.

Using Google's web page or other nav software isn't going to fix the countless apps that are now broken.

Absolutely spot on. With the amount of supporters Apple have, I'm sure many people would have happily volunteered.

 

[AllieNeko]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1448604/

Thanks! I missed that

 

[brando123b]

Maps a waste of resources?

I can't help but feel Apple wasted time and money on Maps. I would have approved the Google Maps application for launch and spent money elsewhere.

Why try to reinvent the wheel, Google has perfected mapping, it is a huge part of what they do. Same goes for YouTube, Apple was smart to discontinue their version and just let those who own the product, develop for it.

This is like Apple creating their own version of Twitter...just terribly redundant and not needed.

 

[Sankersizzle]

To be fair, the maps still get me where I want to go -just every now and then the ground appears to be melting under my car.

 

[DaffyDuck]

Exactly. It's what it takes. As I said before, Apple better make sure its data sources are responsive to error reports. I just don't see how. Too many pieces to tie together.

Yeah, what I'm curious about is where problem reports go. If Apple just fixes the data on their end then that means reintegrating changes made by TomTom and others is more difficult.

----------

Looking at Lincoln UK.. there's about five McDonalds here. I do a search for McDonalds and it shows me ones in a completely different county.

If I type "McDonalds Lincoln" it shows me McDonalds in Lincoln, Nebraska, different continent!

Terrible, just terrible.

If Apple gets their map search up to par with Google, they might as well go ahead and create their own web search service.

 

[brando123b]

Why did the get rid of down voting?

 

[MSUSpartan]

Agreed. Apple should do what they do best and let Google do what they do best. I hope this whole fiasco really hurt Apple so they will focus on the customer again.

 

[NestorRd]

People complain a lot about the new mapping solution, and there are clear reasons for that, but everybody should sit back and think about how big of a new project this is for Apple.

It's very easy to say that Apple is letting everybody down with the new Maps app, when in fact there is a lot more positive than negative on the table. Since the release of iOS 6, folks have been complaining about the lack of detail in some terrain, or the lack of public transportation services, or the lack of local imagery for places, and maybe a few other things. When one does that, one should also take into account all the new other features that have come to replace the old Google Maps app, and just how difficult of a task it is to deliver a near-to-flawless experience when it comes to mapping. Speaking about the old Google Maps app, it wasn't exactly Apple's fault that it never got updated and improved, but Google wanted to take control over it and was unprepared to license API to Apple that would allow them to do that.

Personally, I think people should relax and have more faith in this. The new Maps may not be the wonder that it seemed to be when Scott demoed it on stage a couple of times, but it works and it will improve constantly as more people use it. Apple always delivers, they are perfectionists and this is backed by history. And if you follow the right venues for tech media, you will know that word on the street is that the mapping team of engineers at Apple is working full-time on this matter.

If anybody is interested, here is one of the most comprehensive reviews (by AnandTech) of the new Maps app, covering a lot of stuff both technical and non-technical. Definitely worth the read.

 

[cynics]

Maybe we are in a dream within a dream..........




Within another dream!!!

 

[shulerg]

There is absolutely no way you're not an Apple PR guy/girl. I refuse to believe someone is this ignorant without reason.

Nobody held a gun to your head and forced you to upgrade to iOS 6. Admittedly, you couldn't have known Apple's Maps would suck, but there are always costs to early adoption. It's the same reason lots of people stuck with OS 9 for 2-3 yrs until OS X was stable.

They will fix this, given some time. Until then, there are countless options for getting directions, including a native google maps app coming soon.

It's one thing if someone says Maps can't tell me the fastest way to the hospital, but a lot of comments seem to be complaints along the lines of "blehhh my new favorite trendy bar won't show up."