Looks like Apple's map software has lots of issues

[chewietobbacca]

I don't know if you guys remember, but Google Maps was *the* original killer app on the iPhone.

It's a huge deal.

Not just this but consider what most people these days will use the most on smartphones that they can't get very well on other normal phones:

-Great internet browser
-Good camera
-Email

Then maps.

Those are almost always the most common features used on smartphones that you simply can't get elsewhere on dumb phones

The reason why a lot of those other Apple failures are forgotten is that they aren't very mainstream... Google Maps is

Which is why it puzzles me why they would even consider releasing something as buggy and backwards as this. The PR hit is going to suck unless Apple is smug enough to think its fans aren't going to care... which may be true

 

[Dominato3r]

Missed my scheduled bus from school today. Typed in my location (phone has shoddy GPS) and my destination, GMaps gave me 4 bus routes with departure times. So, it's completely disingenuous to say people are making too much of a fuss over this.

 

[s44]

Ha, I was just going to post that pic.

In any case, even The Verge has an article on it.

 

[psych2]

What I don't understand is why Apple couldn't have waited until they had an apple that was at the very least on par with what Google had 5 years ago? You know, this whole "it just works" think doesn't really fly when you're missing huge chunks of mapping information. And while it'll get better with crowdsourcing, I don't think the average joe is going to be able to fly up into the stratosphere and take updated satellite imagery for apple. What they should have done was have the old google maps and the new side by side so you have a choice, or waited until it was a fully baked product. As it stands its not even a beta, it's an alpha.

This comment is also illuminating:
"It's not just that Google has "a seven year headstart" on maps, its that Google's main IP is information aggregation and data mining algorithms. While they make money using those algorithms to provide targeted search (and therefore targeted advertising) , Google maps is an extension of their search box.

Basically, anything that Google knows, Google maps knows and can therefore (theoretically) access. What that means to the map user is that when a street name changes, or a street is closed, or a new restaurant goes in or shuts down, or aunt Mable movest to a new condo....google knows about it in a few hours (in most cases) and that gets reflected in Google maps.

With as much money as Apple has in its piggy bank, or as long as TomTom has been in business, it's impossible for me to imagine any mapping product from anyone, anywhere having that sort of ability. (There's a reason every other GPS company has shut down, reduced their offerings, or retooled their businesses.) Apple would, essentially, have to recreate Google's data warehouses and data mining algorithms to compete. Does anyone really think they are going to do that? Even diehard fanboys?

I know the stated reasons for Apple cutting Google maps out of iOS6, but Apple replacing Google maps feels more like it is just hubris.

 

[dagamer34]

What I don't understand is why Apple couldn't have waited until they had an apple that was at the very least on par with what Google had 5 years ago? You know, this whole "it just works" think doesn't really fly when you're missing huge chunks of mapping information. And while it'll get better with crowdsourcing, I don't think the average joe is going to be able to fly up into the stratosphere and take updated satellite imagery for apple. What they should have done was have the old google maps and the new side by side so you have a choice, or waited until it was a fully baked product. As it stands its not even a beta, it's an alpha.

This comment is also illuminating:
"It's not just that Google has "a seven year headstart" on maps, its that Google's main IP is information aggregation and data mining algorithms. While they make money using those algorithms to provide targeted search (and therefore targeted advertising) , Google maps is an extension of their search box.

Basically, anything that Google knows, Google maps knows and can therefore (theoretically) access. What that means to the map user is that when a street name changes, or a street is closed, or a new restaurant goes in or shuts down, or aunt Mable movest to a new condo....google knows about it in a few hours (in most cases) and that gets reflected in Google maps.

With as much money as Apple has in its piggy bank, or as long as TomTom has been in business, it's impossible for me to imagine any mapping product from anyone, anywhere having that sort of ability. (There's a reason every other GPS company has shut down, reduced their offerings, or retooled their businesses.) Apple would, essentially, have to recreate Google's data warehouses and data mining algorithms to compete. Does anyone really think they are going to do that? Even diehard fanboys?

I know the stated reasons for Apple cutting Google maps out of iOS6, but Apple replacing Google maps feels more like it is just hubris.

Apple put its own interests for those of its users. Its behavior monopolists take on when they think they are king of the world (before being swiftly knocked down by the next rising upstart). Microsoft did it to IBM. Google did it to Microsoft. Apple did it to Google. And sooner or later, some company will do it to Apple.

 

[Anonemous]

Man all this talk about how crappy the Maps app is making me want to return/cancel my preorder of the new iphone. Does the new maps have turn by turn navigation and is it at least workable for the US? I actually use Gmaps constantly when I travel and turn by turn navigation should be a basic function of the phone.

 

[TuxDave]

Man all this talk about how crappy the Maps app is making me want to return my preorder of the new iphone. Does the new maps have turn by turn navigation and is it at least workable for the US? I actually use Gmaps constantly when I travel and turn by turn navigation should be a basic function of the phone.

Yes turn by turn works great for me. And if you don't like it for any reason there is a ton of alternatives in the App Store. Don't let the stories freak you out. It's mostly people blowing things out of proportion. People outside of the US may have issues but I haven't seen any issues around me.

 

[abaez]

I just find it bizarre to think that Apple, with its impeccable design and software engineering - actually booted up and used these maps and said "Yeah, this is good." I mean, it's glaringly obvious that there are huge issues with it.

 

[TuxDave]

I just find it bizarre to think that Apple, with it's impeccable design and software engineering - actually booted up and used these maps and said "Yeah, this is good." I mean, it's glaringly obvious that there are huge issues with it.

Yeah it's definitely a step back from what I would expect from Apple with the whole "Beta testing live" thing.

 

[Cattykit]

As many others have states, I, too, wonder why Apple decided to release such a crappy app. I understand Apple (or was it Steve Jobs alone?) couldn't let Google to be a part of the 'system' anymore but this is plain idiotic. This breaks the Apple mantra they are famous for: it just works! The way I see it, I don't think this is just one app misbehaving but implication of Apple not being Apple anymore. Many have wondered and nagged that Apple isn't the same after Jobs passed away, I never bought it until now.

Or, I guess it's the thermonuclear war Jobs talked about. The problem is, instead of dropping it on the enemy, they're bombing in on their homeland.

 

[Anonemous]

Yes turn by turn works great for me. And if you don't like it for any reason there is a ton of alternatives in the App Store. Don't let the stories freak you out. It's mostly people blowing things out of proportion. People outside of the US may have issues but I haven't seen any issues around me.

That's good to hear. It's just that this CNET review kinda scared me since they used the new Maps app in San Francisco and they had some issues.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57517420-233/turn-by-turn-field-test-apple-maps-vs-google-maps/

 

[Necrolezbeast]

Apple following the fail of Mitt Romney by act of shooting self in foot? Meh, other than some building distortion it seems the US isn't hurting too much from the maps, just everywhere else in the world. And does it completely lack public transit options or is it just not very precise? Cause if it completely lacks public transit then it really is a bad move, even if it is just temporary. Oh well, I'm sure they'll fix it and everyone will forget about it... just need to do it quick before it actually hurts them.

 

[pandemonium]

I still don't known why they felt the need to make their own maps

This is why:

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) said its five-year licensing deal with Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) had expired and that it had removed YouTube and Google Maps from the iOS 6, which is due out in the coming weeks

Apple is decidely distancing itself from competitor products. They're trying to follow Google's model of developing their own entire ecosystem.

 

[WelshBloke]

...Apple is decidely distancing itself from competitor products. They're trying to follow Google's model of developing their own entire ecosystem.

Theres a rumour that Google already have a mapping app waiting for Apple to approve.

If the bad publicity keeps mounting about Apples native maps then theres going to be a lot of pressure on Apple to approve that Google app.

If it has anywhere near the same functionality as Google maps on Android then I can see it being quite popular.

Of course thats not going to help Apple build up the data it needs if every iOS user installs it, but they scalp a lot of location data anyway so they may be ok.

 

[bearxor]

I tried turn by turn on my iPad yesterday. It was terrible. The GPS thought I was a half mile from where I actually was and it kept trying to redirect me because it thought I was on some side roads.

No matter what I did, I couldn't get the GPS to lock in on my exact location. Eventually rebooted the iPad and that worked. Probably try it again this morning just to see.

At this point, though, I welcome the change. I liked the iOS maps app but it was severely lacking in features compared to Android's Maps application, and that was because Apple was making this move and didn't want to spend much time/money in the old maps app.

The new maps subsystem will let developers plug feature holes that Apple isn't bothering with and the app itself feels and works so much better than the Android app, just from the little time I've had on my iPad. It seemingly has the ability to basically combine three separate apps on Android (Maps, Navigation, Earth) seamlessly in to one app.

At this point, I'm willing to give them time, but Apple is going to have to show they're willing to spend some $ and time to fix the app and build out the database.

 

[WelshBloke]

... It seemingly has the ability to basically combine three separate apps on Android (Maps, Navigation, Earth) seamlessly in to one app.

Maps, navigation, latitude, places, etc is all one app on Android.

 

[bearxor]

Maps, navigation, latitude, places, etc is all one app on Android.

I can't speak for latitude and places, since I don't use them. But Navigation and Maps are two separate apps.

Launch Maps. Find a destination and click it. Tap 'Directions'. Tap 'Navigation' Now, Google Navigation launches.

Now, it might be launching inside Maps, as I've noticed a apps that can open other apps inside of them so it looks like they're only one app. But it's still two separate apps. The Maps application simply passed the parameters over to the Navigation app so that you don't have to input it in.

As opposed to iOS 6 Maps. Find destination. Click the little car icon, navigation immediately loads without starting another app.

Edit: And I know why this is like this. It allows Google to make changes to each individual component without (hopefully) affecting the other. Whereas Apple will have to update the Maps application on a whole. And one big advantage Android has, IMO, is that the built-in apps are integrated in to the store, so that updates can be pushed out at anytime. With iOS, you're always having to wait on new iOS versions for any updates to the built in apps like Safari & Maps. But having said that, I always thought the transition from Maps to Navigation on Android was "jarring". it's not a very good user experience.

 

[abaez]

Yeah, they are working on making maps and navigation more seamless and make it seem like one app alone instead of two.

 

[MrX8503]

Living in the Chicago area, I rely heavily on the bus/train transit times. I'm not sure why Apple left this out. Maybe they didn't have the data or something. I'll be using a 3rd party app for that in the mean time.

The turn by turn nav looks great though.

 

[WelshBloke]

I can't speak for latitude and places, since I don't use them. But Navigation and Maps are two separate apps.

Launch Maps. Find a destination and click it. Tap 'Directions'. Tap 'Navigation' Now, Google Navigation launches.

Now, it might be launching inside Maps, as I've noticed a apps that can open other apps inside of them so it looks like they're only one app. But it's still two separate apps. The Maps application simply passed the parameters over to the Navigation app so that you don't have to input it in.

As opposed to iOS 6 Maps. Find destination. Click the little car icon, navigation immediately loads without starting another app.

Edit: And I know why this is like this. It allows Google to make changes to each individual component without (hopefully) affecting the other. Whereas Apple will have to update the Maps application on a whole. And one big advantage Android has, IMO, is that the built-in apps are integrated in to the store, so that updates can be pushed out at anytime. With iOS, you're always having to wait on new iOS versions for any updates to the built in apps like Safari & Maps. But having said that, I always thought the transition from Maps to Navigation on Android was "jarring". it's not a very good user experience.

Its the same app, go look in the play market.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Man all this talk about how crappy the Maps app is making me want to return/cancel my preorder of the new iphone. Does the new maps have turn by turn navigation and is it at least workable for the US? I actually use Gmaps constantly when I travel and turn by turn navigation should be a basic function of the phone.

Just use Mapquest which is a free, that's what I use.

 

[ITHURTSWHENIP]

I feel like some people here are clearly taking this out of proportion. Ok? So there's some problems. I think Apple will try to work to resolve these. It's brand new software. What do you expect?

LEt's not even talk about Google's issues and how we still have launcher redraws because they can't figure that one on their own without jamming 2gb into devices. You shouldn't have launcher redraws period.

You were the same guy complaining about icons not matching the UI design and you think being upset about a useless map application is taking things out of proportion?

 

[cheezy321]

Man all this talk about how crappy the Maps app is making me want to return/cancel my preorder of the new iphone. Does the new maps have turn by turn navigation and is it at least workable for the US? I actually use Gmaps constantly when I travel and turn by turn navigation should be a basic function of the phone.

Ive been on iOS 6 for ~3 months and I have used turn by turn probably ~20 times so far. I have never had one problem in the Phoenix or Dallas area with it. Some people are obviously having problems. A lot of reviews have mentioned the USA is on par with Gmaps. The rest of the world is where a lot of issues are happening. Public transit is a mess worldwide.

 

[lothar]

I can't speak for latitude and places, since I don't use them. But Navigation and Maps are two separate apps.

Launch Maps. Find a destination and click it. Tap 'Directions'. Tap 'Navigation' Now, Google Navigation launches.

Now, it might be launching inside Maps, as I've noticed a apps that can open other apps inside of them so it looks like they're only one app. But it's still two separate apps. The Maps application simply passed the parameters over to the Navigation app so that you don't have to input it in.

As opposed to iOS 6 Maps. Find destination. Click the little car icon, navigation immediately loads without starting another app.

Edit: And I know why this is like this. It allows Google to make changes to each individual component without (hopefully) affecting the other. Whereas Apple will have to update the Maps application on a whole. And one big advantage Android has, IMO, is that the built-in apps are integrated in to the store, so that updates can be pushed out at anytime. With iOS, you're always having to wait on new iOS versions for any updates to the built in apps like Safari & Maps. But having said that, I always thought the transition from Maps to Navigation on Android was "jarring". it's not a very good user experience.

That is absolutely false.
Show me the link to "Google Navigation" in the Play Store.

I'll make it easy for you. Here's the Google Maps app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...xMiwiY29tLmdvb2dsZS5hbmRyb2lkLmFwcHMubWFwcyJd

Your turn. Now where is this mysterious Google Navigation app that you speak of?

 

[s44]

They're the same app... because Tasker activates the app context when you open either.