Wow. Apple Maps is a disaster.

[TLewis]

You're right they edited the depth of the functionality out of the box but like you noted, there are other apps that accomplish what details that others are looking to supplement.

OK, I'll bite: Please tell me the name of the app that gives me equivalent street view functionality:

1. Works in iPad full-screen mode, just like the old google maps.
2. The full-screen view is zoomable/scrollable, just like the old google maps.
3. I can click on the arrows in the full-screen view, to move the view, or click on a far-away circle, to move the view down the block, just like the old google maps.

As far as I can tell, there is no such app.

If there were apps that really gave equivalent functionality, you'd have less complaining.

Sure, some people will say, "just wait for google to release their app". Frankly (and I'd LOVE to be proven wrong here), I don't think any replacement google app will have streeview, at least initially, given how their own mobile web interface doesn't. Maybe we'll see one in several years, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[pdqgp]

Not sure why you are spending such a large amount of time responding to every complaint then. Apple should pay you for your efforts.

helps kill time while I work on a project in my garage

 

[jafingi]

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

Actually Apple DID try to create their own Twitter with Ping.. Now closing at the end of the month..

I don't get why Apple tries to reinvent the wheel with Maps. Google Maps is years ahead of Apple's solution, and I can't believe that Apple is making the UX worse with this. I don't get it.

 

[Sdreed91]

Actually, using Apple Maps, probably more than a quarter of the world is lost.

Lol

 

[ericg301]

Latest rumor is that after the initial agreement expired between apple and google, googles renewal demands were so outrageous that apple had no choice. Things like dropping IP lawsuits, demanding customer data, etc. apple couldn't let themselves be held hostage to google's -- an enemy's-- demands

 

[dazed]

The idea behind doing their own maps makes good business sense (what if google suddenly charged lots of money for the privilege ? iOS users would be screwed.)

The simple fact is they produced a terrible v1.0 release and are now scrambling to fix it. Will it improve? Of course. Should it have been released in this state? No it shouldn't, it should have been held back until the 5S is released.

Apple is starting to release more and more features which are not polished. This will obviously raise the usual question of would it have been released if Steve was still here?........

 

[onthecouchagain]

I get that Apple needs time to improve Maps, but I also get why people are up in arms. Apple Maps is heralded as one of the main (if not, thee main) feature of iOS 6, and for it to be so clearly unready for the public to use is detrimental to Apple's reputation.

All I'm hearing when people say "give it time" is an admission that Apple released an unfinished product. They even call it an innovative upgrade. Literally, they refer to it as "innovative" in their official statement. This sort of sugar coating cannot and should not sit well with anyone, and it's important for people to call them out on this.

I have no doubt Maps will get better over time; it must. But Apple is playing a disingenuous game and the consequences should be shared by them, not just the consumer.

 

[Kanunu]

Information from where?

given they show a lot of updates to hit the Japan market in October, I would suspect the level of details will increase then. Just a suspicion but they do show a lot of updates for Japan in the coming months.

I assume by "they" you mean Apple but where do you see that there are scheduled updates specifically for maps in Japan?

 

[pdqgp]

OK, I'll bite: Please tell me the name of the app that gives me equivalent street view functionality:

1. Works in iPad full-screen mode, just like the old google maps.
2. The full-screen view is zoomable/scrollable, just like the old google maps.
3. I can click on the arrows in the full-screen view, to move the view, or click on a far-away circle, to move the view down the block, just like the old google maps.

As far as I can tell, there is no such app.

If there were apps that really gave equivalent functionality, you'd have less complaining.

Sure, some people will say, "just wait for google to release their app". Frankly (and I'd LOVE to be proven wrong here), I don't think any replacement google app will have streeview, at least initially, given how their own mobile web interface doesn't. Maybe we'll see one in several years, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Depends on what you want to do with the app. There aren't going to be any that look just like google or are "just like google". However there are some pretty good tools.

Again, for Navigation and finding addresses and businesses I use Motion X Drive and find it's way better and easier to use than the built in Navi in our vehicles.

You can pull from your contacts in Outlook, search by business name, type in addresses, use a point on a map as you scroll around, etc.... I don't know how you find things but I typical go by business name first, I cross reference to insure the address matches my customer. I also often type specific addresses too.

Once you have the location the mapped you can move the maps around with your finger and pinch/zoom. Navi wise, she's awesome and when you hear "prepare to turn right" that's perfect timing for a turn signal as then you will hear "now turn right".

I use it most all the time and even as a phone book. Will it be equivalent and a direct replacement for all users, not likely. Again, YMMV. I won't debate or compare the two as honestly, I never use Google nor was a fan of the old maps.

----------

I assume by "they" you mean Apple but where do you see that there are scheduled updates specifically for maps in Japan?

Yes, Apple. They show a number of updates for Japan on their web site, most listed under Siri...however, since Siri is tied to maps I would suspsect that means those places aren't loaded or available yet.

 

[KnightWRX]

Apple has over $100 billion in cash, they have unlimited resources. There is no reason not to make a maps app. In time, it will be good.

Unfortunately, Time is something you can't buy.

 

[cynics]

Latest rumor is that after the initial agreement expired between apple and google, googles renewal demands were so outrageous that apple had no choice. Things like dropping IP lawsuits, demanding customer data, etc. apple couldn't let themselves be held hostage to google's -- an enemy's-- demands

Source?

Apples been working on their own mapping solution since the beginning of iOS according to the verge (I believe that's who said it in a video). Long before any renewal agreements were made. Apples been gathering mapping companies up for quite a while regardless.

More likely Apple didn't want to rely on Google for anything esp. key features. Which is perfectly understandable they are the competition.

Besides how much money could Google be asking that Apple can't supply? They charge a 40-50% profit margin so they have the means to supply it customers with a high quality product.

 

[KeanosMagicHat]

Latest rumor is that after the initial agreement expired between apple and google, googles renewal demands were so outrageous that apple had no choice. Things like dropping IP lawsuits, demanding customer data, etc. apple couldn't let themselves be held hostage to google's -- an enemy's-- demands

I'm not having a go at you at all for posting the rumour, but I don't believe it.

It would have been in Google's interests to retain a key feature as part of Apple's iOS.

For one thing, there is the added revenue opportunity of advertising within the application. Secondly, it is a little bit of one over on the competition, if there are certain things you can do better than them.

 

[RicoRich196]

You know this is what kind of confuses me, Apple partnered with TomTom, anyone who has ever used a TomTom dedicated GPS unit knows that TomTom is actually pretty good. Maybe not as good as Garmin/Telenav but the TomTom GPS units I've used have never led me down wrong streets or were in any way a "disaster" so WTF is up? Is it the way Maps displays the information that's the "disaster" part?

 

[Daveoc64]

You know this is what kind of confuses me, Apple partnered with TomTom, anyone who has ever used a TomTom dedicated GPS unit knows that TomTom is actually pretty good. Maybe not as good as Garmin/Telenav but the TomTom GPS units I've used have never led me down wrong streets or were in any way a "disaster" so WTF is up? Is it the way Maps displays the information that's the "disaster" part?

We don't know what TomTom is providing Apple. As I mentioned earlier it might be that TomTom is only providing satellite images or POIs.

TomTom's mapping division, Tele Atlas, tends to focus heavily on markets where TomTom is more successful (i.e. Europe).

Despite this, Tele Atlas still has a reputation for being slow to update their maps. 3 or 4 years for a major change to take place is not uncommon.

 

[Kanunu]

Actually $ can buy time

Unfortunately, Time is something you can't buy.

It can in the sense that by employing more people in the effort, Apple can multiply the man-hours. Google reputedly has 7100 direct and contract employees working just on maps. That is 5,680,000 man-hours a year! Apple can buy time in that sense but their management philosophy seems to have been keep the US payroll slim and build hardware overseas.

How many skilled people are working on this at Apple? We read reports that they are hiring but I doubt that it is even close to 7,100. Maybe it is time to outsource software engineers and cartographers instead of just farm girls from poor rural parts of China. Obviously the effect is not linear, but when Apple has 14,000 or even 21,000 people working on this, maybe they will have a chance to catch Google.

 

[Brazuca]

Which App would you recommend on the App Store that's as good as or better than Google Maps (or approaching it)?

(At least in terms of the map quality and the basic features that iOS 5 had like Search, POIs etc.)

There are some very good Apps out there (Waze is one my favourites), but they tend to go after a specific niche in the market (often turn by turn navigation) rather than an all-round Mapping app. Waze (intentionally) doesn't offer certain features because it's designed by people who drive a car.

Waze is a very interesting example, as it really highlights how complex mapping can be. One of the major issues that they have is not how accurate the layout or route of a road is, but where people can turn. Regular maps don't show which way you can turn at any specific junction.

Also consider the price. There are apps out there for Navigation, but they're usually very expensive because of the cost of the maps (and you don't get updated maps included).

Basic features is right. Google maps on iOS was just that. Basic. And google would never let apple get on par with android. Apple had to make a move.

It is telling that you (and I) needed waze for tbtd. Google would never let it happen in iOS. Now it's there, and by all accounts it is even better than googles best effort. At least the feature iOS will get wont depend on the good will of a direct competitor. Now competition can really happen and both apple and google will improve. We should all be happy with this.

Waze sucked in many areas, by the way. Road layout is terrible (I submitted tons of corrections). It was constantly improving by I am soooo glad that I don't need that anymore. And google really screwed iOS users by keeping us all under their thumbs. Left a big, evil, taste in my mouth.

It is also clear that if having the greatest map experience from google is what a user wants, they should have gone with android a long time ago. It was NEVER going to happen in iOS. NEVER. Samsung makes a great phone and has full google support. I am just a tad tired of feeling stalked by google ads every time I run a search. Sometimes I want to just check the price of a pair of headphones without being bombarded by ads for that same product for two weeks on every webpage I visit. Feels like having a car salesman who won't shut up next to me.

Ads in my map? No thanks. I hope apple doesn't go that route.

 

[TLewis]

Depends on what you want to do with the app. There aren't going to be any that look just like google or are "just like google". However there are some pretty good tools.

Again, for Navigation and finding addresses and businesses I use Motion X Drive and find it's way better and easier to use than the built in Navi in our vehicles.

You can pull from your contacts in Outlook, search by business name, type in addresses, use a point on a map as you scroll around, etc.... I don't know how you find things but I typical go by business name first, I cross reference to insure the address matches my customer. I also often type specific addresses too.

lol, why don't you just come out and say that there is no such app?

I gave you a specific, line-item list and, instead of talking about that list, you totally avoided it and gave me some dance routine involving look-and-feel, nav, and contacts -- none of which I listed.

OK. I think I'm done here.

 

[Daveoc64]

Waze sucked in many areas, by the way. Road layout is terrible (I submitted tons of corrections). It was constantly improving by I am soooo glad that I don't need that anymore.

Waze is far better than the iOS Maps are. They don't tell me to drive through a store that's been there for 11 years or miss off the road next to mine that was built in 2006. If there's something wrong with Waze, I can fix it and it's there in no more than 2 weeks.

Of course, Waze is not at all useful if you want walking directions or a satellite view.

----------

Google would never let it happen in iOS

Again, where's the evidence for this?

Someone said earlier that Google would allow it if Apple added Google Latitude to iOS. Given how expensive Turn By Turn navigation is to implement, that would be a no-brainer for anyone.

It does not make sense for Google to restrict their products like this - it's just not in their business model.

 

[musiciscool]

Good riddance to Google!

 

[pdqgp]

Motion X Drive crushes google

lol, why don't you just come out and say that there is no such app?

because I thought perhaps better understanding what you're going to use the app for and how you are going to use it would be fair to ask but rather than banter, I gave you an opportunity to provide details. Are you going to be using it for just visual cues as you would a static map or navigation.?

• Are you looking for POI to be displayed up front or only if searched on? - it will display them as flags on a map or a list for you to choose. It will also give you the ability to tap the PH# and dial them automatically too.
• Are you looking for public transportation routes or traffic? - Live traffic is used and also displayed if you wish. Public transit, there are some better apps for that than even google. Separate thread if you wish. Share your state as some are specific to cities.
• Are you looking to use this in a vehicle or are you walking? - it will do both in one trip automatically.

Answering those will determine which app might best fit your needs, but hey, don't worry, I knew you were just in for a debate.

I gave you a specific, line-item list and, instead of talking about that list, you totally avoided it and gave me some dance routine involving look-and-feel, nav, and contacts -- none of which I listed.

• Okay, so again, looking for details, are user interface and usage important to you? above you seem to dismiss my information as a dance routine yet you seem pretty specific in what you were looking for. I'm confused. FWIW it has way more display options than google too.
• Do you look for integration into contacts? It does that and saves your recent finds and even has a favorites list & frequent destination list
• Do you search by business name typically or do you type in addresses or Point to a location on a map, intersections, POI? Regardless, it does them all even long/lat coordinates.

I'm sorry I attempted to be a little more specific or probe a bit deeper. Again, I suppose my initial hunch that you really don't care to find a product was correct.

I think I covered your points. Some here will be a repeat of what I already shared about Motion X GPS Drive.

• It works in iPad full screen mode
• It's zoom-able and scrollable...but you're not limited to just X & Y Axis. Just use your finger or pinch/zoom
• You can easily adjust the view from far out to more detailed zoomed views....IMO in a better more intuitive fashion than Google.
• I think I was also clear to your several references of "just like the old google maps" that nothing is just like the old google maps but again, YMMV on how you like them.
• Actually it does quite a bit more than google is capable of doing too. I'd be happy to provide more details, but I'll hold off because you seem to get all butt-hurt when I provide you more information than you really are asking about.
  
  Excuse me while I pre-fetch my routing and maps in case I go completely off-line from data, hold on while it integrates with my music selection. Ooops, let me drill down and add a few stops along my route by selecting them from my contacts, Oh wait, I need to grab a bite to eat, but prefer it to add that as my last stop and to select it from options closer to my destination vs around me or on my route. Oh, and let me share this all with my coworker via the apps self generated email or text so all they have to do is click said link to get the exact routing via a single click of a link. Oh, crap...I gotta slow down as it's telling me the speed limit the road I'm on is only 55mph but I've not noticed a sign lately.
  
  Hold on my coworker is on the other line and wants to know how to turn on traffic notifications and tracing so he can see exactly where the jams are at. When I park, I'll have it mark my spot and so It will route me by foot back to my car....yeah, it's about a 3 block walk to the building from our car but it can handle all that seamlessly too.
  
  What's that? Hang on while I change the spoken voice to mute my stereo vs just lowering the volume so a percentage I can choose when it announces my turns. Makes it easier to hear you as I call, stream music and get turn by turn all simultaneously. If you prefer you can change voices too or even have it pronounce street names but that's not forced upon you.

Again, not sure you really mean it when you said "Frankly (and I'd LOVE to be proven wrong here)" I sense you're more about sarcasm.

Did I miss anything you were looking for? Would you like me to provide you screen shots? Just let me know as I'm more than prepared to help you get acquainted with a product that blows google maps away, but I'll understand if it's a bit more than you need. However, if you do choose to use Motion X, you'll be happy to know they aren't mining your data like google.

Lastly, if for some odd reason, Motion X is too advanced for you or by some chance you still want yet another alternative, check out http://izeize.com/mapsplus/

Satisfied yet?

 

[Nexius]

I got my iPhone 5 on Friday and the results of Apple Maps have been pretty lousy so far. Despite living a mile from a large medical complex, it tells me the nearest one is a hundred miles away. The hospital in our town is labeled incorrectly and its phone number is for a medical complex far away. I also used the turn-by-turn GPS to get to an address in town, and it got me to the right street but told me to turn in the opposite direction of where the destination was.

 

[Brazuca]

Waze is far better than the iOS Maps are. They don't tell me to drive through a store that's been there for 11 years or miss off the road next to mine that was built in 2006. If there's something wrong with Waze, I can fix it and it's there in no more than 2 weeks.

Of course, Waze is not at all useful if you want walking directions or a satellite view.

----------



Again, where's the evidence for this?

Someone said earlier that Google would allow it if Apple added Google Latitude to iOS. Given how expensive Turn By Turn navigation is to implement, that would be a no-brainer for anyone.

It does not make sense for Google to restrict their products like this - it's just not in their business model.

I have anecdotes about waze also. Like being told to turn into a wall. And while corrections took only weeks, there were always tons of them. So you can fix the one you noticed today, but tomorrow's drive will surprise you with another. And then another. And so on.

And about latitude, sorry. But it is trivial for us to say that this is a no brainer, but google is the NotEvil who keeps getting caught mining our data.

Look: we don't know why they broke up their love fest. But it was obviously mutual. They couldn't get it working. If apple decided that this high risk path is its best option, they must have thought the cost of staying in bed with their #1 competitor might end up being very bad for iOS. And where were all the people complaining at all the missing features in googles data in iOS? The license specifically excluded tbtd, while android had it all. Why the hell would any company think that this is sustainable?

Like I said, apple had to make a move.

 

[therationalist]

pdqgp is a confirmed shill.

 

[pdqgp]

pdqgp is a confirmed shill.

yeah....first I'm the best unpaid employee of Apple and now I'm a Motion X Developer

 

[KnightWRX]

It can in the sense that by employing more people in the effort, Apple can multiply the man-hours.

Ah, the man-hour myth. Only works if you can parallelize tasks 100%. Unfortunately, in the real world, sometimes there is such a thing as too many people working on the same tasks.

You can't just throw more programmers/testers/engineers at a problem sometimes, as you'll get a huge mess as opinions and implementations start colliding with each other. In the end, what a team of 20 could produce in a year, a team of 5 could in 6 months by eliminating a lot of the in-fighting and having better focus and task definitions, with little overlap.

No seriously, Apple can't multiply the man hours with money.