Apple ditching Google's Maps for in-house Maps with iOS 6

[MrX8503]

Right...just like android has now, and has had for a while.

"Navigate blah blah blah main street"
Done.

But, lets not take that away from Apple. They will claim to have invented it, right?

Yeah if you prefer talking like a robot, then yes, google has had it for awhile.

 

[postaled]

Yeah if you prefer talking like a robot, then yes, google has had it for awhile.

I think I paid a dollar or two and got a kick ass TTS engine to replace the stock one on my phone.

 

[dagamer34]

The problem Apple has is that every time they decide they want to do a major overhaul of a system, they stop making any tangible improvements to that system until the overhaul is done. For example, the last time Maps got any real new features was back in iPhone OS 2.2 when street view, walking and local transit directions were added. And it's been obvious since Google launched Google Maps Nagivation on Android that iOS has always been behind.

 

[zoiks]

Integrating Siri into google maps is a smart idea. It would be really useful when changing directions mid trip. I don't really care about 3D maps just as long the 2D version is easy to use. Apple recently did a minor update allowing you to choose a route, but it's still lacking.

I have yet to see anyone use Siri for anything practical. It's more like a gimmick than anything else.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Yeah if you prefer talking like a robot, then yes, google has had it for awhile.

Do I really want a seductive voice telling me to turn left?

 

[alent1234]

But if there is a seductive voice telling me going down some street I'm all for it

 

[zerogear]

The TTS on android 4.0 is actually pretty damn good

 

[TuxDave]

Which is odd because Apple is the one who designed and controls the built in maps app on iOS, not Google as I had originally thought. I think Apple has been holding back features to make their new maps app look better in comparison.

I don't care who designed it. I'll be glad to see Google provide its own on the App store with better navigation. Right now there's no alternative. The mobile website version isn't good enough. And Google hasn't submitted its own navigation app on the App store. So to me this change was inevitable and I'll take it (assuming it's more feature rich and not just another map database)

 

[cheezy321]

I have yet to see anyone use Siri for anything practical. It's more like a gimmick than anything else.

I got an iPhone 4S earlier this week and I have already used Siri for a ton of stuff. I am driving a lot now for my new job and need to create geofenced reminders and text people while I'm driving. It's hardly a gimmick

 

[akugami]

Letting Google actually design Google maps on iOS would probably be better.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Google's mobile apps are functional but don't impress me much.


As others have stated, Apple is licensing the maps from Google. But Apple has bought 3 or 4 map related companies in the last few years.

It actually makes sense in a twisted way for them (Apple) to hold back features for now. Then when they use their own maps, they can tout features like 3D maps, turn by turn, etc.

 

[WelshBloke]

I wouldn't be so sure of that. Google's mobile apps are functional but don't impress me much.


As others have stated, Apple is licensing the maps from Google. But Apple has bought 3 or 4 map related companies in the last few years.

It actually makes sense in a twisted way for them (Apple) to hold back features for now. Then when they use their own maps, they can tout features like 3D maps, turn by turn, etc.

Google maps/nav on Android is great, probably has one of the best UIs of all the GPS mapping apps available.

 

[akugami]

Google maps/nav on Android is great, probably has one of the best UIs of all the GPS mapping apps available.

The exception to the rule. Now, keep in mind that I don't get a chance to use Google's apps much except in a cursory fashion on Android. But the apps simply don't wow me. They're not bad, but I can't say they're great either. They're functional and that's about it.

I use an iPhone as my personal phone and have more experience using Google's apps on iOS. Much like on Android, Google's own apps are functional and that's about it. I've had performance issues with them as well which is why outside of Google Voice, I don't even use them anymore.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

The exception to the rule. Now, keep in mind that I don't get a chance to use Google's apps much except in a cursory fashion on Android. But the apps simply don't wow me. They're not bad, but I can't say they're great either. They're functional and that's about it.

I use an iPhone as my personal phone and have more experience using Google's apps on iOS. Much like on Android, Google's own apps are functional and that's about it. I've had performance issues with them as well which is why outside of Google Voice, I don't even use them anymore.

Google Maps for iOS is designed by Apple not Google so any issues you have with it are Apple's fault.

 

[boomhower]

For my daily use I don't need navigation, I just need to see where something is and I'm good from there. For trips when I need nav I have been using the free mapsquest app. If this included nav I would be all for it for an all in one solution.

 

[akugami]

Google Maps for iOS is designed by Apple not Google so any issues you have with it are Apple's fault.

Ok.

Except that I was talking about Google's other apps (such as Google Voice) and that Google Maps is the exception to the rule of Google's mobile apps being somewhat lackluster. They're useable, utilitarian, but they're not the best examples of mobile apps. I've tried every iOS Google app, and the only one I use regularly now is Google Voice (to save a few bucks on text messaging) but Google Voice still has freezing issues and the design is such that it is very easy to click on the wrong area of the screen when navigating.

 

[WelshBloke]

The exception to the rule. Now, keep in mind that I don't get a chance to use Google's apps much except in a cursory fashion on Android. But the apps simply don't wow me. They're not bad, but I can't say they're great either. They're functional and that's about it.

...

Chrome, goggles, currents, music all look fine. Gmails fairly utilitarian but that's what you want out of an email application. I don't use gvoice so I couldn't comment on that, but most google stuff looks fine.