“It might seem as if Apple chose its iOS 6 release last week to practice the biblical directive to love one’s enemy. For, by ejecting Google Maps from updated iPads and iPhones, Apple hath caused glorious comparisons to shine upon its foe,” Brad Hill writes for Engadget. “If most people were unaware of comparative feature sets and quality aspects that distinguish Google Maps from Apple Maps, every tech-loving person on God’s earth is an expert now.”
“I argue that replacing Google Maps with Apple Maps was shrewd, inevitable and an indicator that Apple understands the true battle it wages,” Hill writes. “By grafting its own Maps product into the nervous system of its mobile OS, Apple accomplishes two important things. First, the company’s primary mobile competitor is exorcised from the main body. This outcome might be viewed as the remedy to an ailment that never should have occurred… Second, Apple positions itself to harvest future local ad revenue. Apple Maps, despite its spatial confusions, has 25 percent more business listings (100 million of them) than Google does.”
Much more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Joe Architect” for the heads up.]
Apple Maps will one day soon rule them all and of course Google will rue that day…
Oh, you mean:
‘One Map to rule them all, One Map to find them, One Map to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them’
One map to rule them all,
One map to find them,
One map to bring them all
and in the internet bind them.
or what billy said…
Your version is the good Apple one – mine was the darkness of the evil google….
We are kind of bound to the ‘net, arent we? Gasp!b
Hill makes a strong and obvious strategic case. It’s now up to Apple to deliver.
Yes, and this is a GREAT opportunity for all the newbie Apple users and tech journalists to watch how Apple does its work.
Apple Maps v1.0 has Version 1.0 Syndrome, as expected by anyone professionally working in technology.
Apple Maps v2.0, oh look, it’s brilliant. Google used to do maps?
For those with short memories within the Mac community, think about the anti-Apple rants during the PowerBook days about how thick and heavy they were but this POS Wintel laptop is thinner and lighter. Then Apple when MacBook and released the MacBook Air. Who’s playing catch up now? Count the number of ‘Ultrabook™’ species released into the wild this past year. And how many of them made any money or got positive reviews?
See what I mean? That’s what Apple does.
Like!
You’re probably right, and this is just being 1.0 Syndrome that will go away soon.
Still, with Apple, you can usually just talk about how great their released products are. When you start talking about how the next version is going fix what everyone hates about the current version, then proceed to brag about how awesome the unreleased version is going to be, you start sounding like Microsoft.
Just thought I’d PING you a reposte, that not every seed grows into a dominant tree.
In the place I used to program at, the running joke was ver. 2.2 was always the one to get!
There is a classic ‘Version 2.0 Syndrome’ as well where everything but the kitchen sink is thrown in, resulting in BLOAT. But Apple has rarely had trouble with it.
With Microsoft, the non-a-joke is that one should wait for version 3, or Service Pack 3, etc.
The Map App Apple developed that is based on developer input will actually cause greater disruption to Google than Apple could. Since local developers know the area and needs better than a large geographic challenged Google. At first there is pain, later there will be recovery, and all will be complete- another torn in Google’s soul.
torn-you meant thorn?
Wired Magazine famously depicted Apple wearing a crown of thorns in 1997.
And now Apple has turned it into an exciting new reality show, Game of Thorns. This year’s guest: Research in Motion.
I can hardly wait for the Google episode.
Sorry, you are correct….
It cuts both ways. I found a spot where Google gets it wrong, Maps gets it right.
Five Guys in El Segundo CA is pinned at a Ralph’s Market about a half block north of where Maps shows the correct location.
I am 2647 miles away from Five Guys. Apple maps seem accurate to me. A large enough nuke should take care of the roundoff error.
Why use a large nuke when a small one will suffice?
The answer to your question goes back to the days of Herr Wolfgang Bush who upgraded new clear weapons with the “Aim for Bin Hit Saddam” guidance system. Ever since then you have to use a big massive long hard upon launch cause you may not hit the right time zone… Not to mention that they have a tendency to go off prematurely.
… Dear Celestial Diety. Please save us from a return to the same level of incompetence next year.
Derek:
Are you sure you want somewhat-evil-but-competent instead of very-evil-but-incompetent?
Think about that one a bit.
When Google maps first came out, it was crappy, much worse then Apple’s maps is now. Apple will improve this very quickly I think.
So, you agree, Apple’s Maps does need significant improvement. Looks like you are in alignment with the vast majority of intelligent people.
Never said it didn’t need improvement. All programs like this do. I just don’t think it’s as awful as it’s being portrayed and it’s much better then Google’s maps when it first came out.
I haven’t commented in a while, but this maps thing has me a little annoyed. I’ve been using apple maps since the first iOS 6 beta and I’ve got say that I haven’t had a single issue with directions or anything.
The note about the business listings is correct btw, by using yelp, apple has been able to get very current information on local businesses. And that is useful. Also, I have found that the turn by turn directions work flawlessly.
I don’t know what some of these people are talking about to he honest, maybe in some countries the mapping data isn’t as accurate as others, but that can easily be fixed.
All I can say is, do I miss street view? Yes, that is useful sometimes. But, overall the apple maps app is better than the one that proceeded it. So I’m a pretty happy customer righ now.
Same here. I think a lot of the griping might be coming from countries other than the US. But I think most of the bitching and moaning is coming from people with Android phones.
Considering Apple has about half of Google’s market cap in cash, methinks Apple will devote considerable resources to their maps if for no other reason than to save face.
As for myself, I’m quite pleased with Apple maps. I use maps 2X or more every day, and it’s working great. I think the best thing is I don’t have to hear, “recalculating” every time I take a side street, as other turn-by-turn apps seem to love doing. It gets annoying. The directions adjust very fast, and Siri just carries on with the new route like nothing happened.
Not only does it recalculate well, it’s predicted arrival time is spot on. I always had to play with the Edit button on Google to get an estimated travel time. I’d spend more time with that than actually following the directions.
Not true.
Most of the griping comes from professional Apple naysayers and the mockery comes from Apple’s competitors who look for any opportunity to draw attention away from their own products’ many serious shortcomings.
Foreign mapping is a lesser priority to Apple in the sense that it pays to focus on its largest markets first. That is why they made an extra special effort in mapping china, I understand.
I agree. The complaints must be coming from other countries.
GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE, RIGHT?
Because they’re “foreigners” so they don’t count?
The mapping data might not be as accurate? But could be easily fixed? So why didn’t they fix it already?
TomTom, a Dutch company, has been providing accurate GPS mapping for more than a decade to Europe and the rest of the world; why’s it not working properly in Apple Maps outside the USA (although I know iOS device owning people in NYC who think Apple Maps sucks too, so it’s not perfect in USA either)?
The satellite imagery outside USA is truly terrible, half of Europe is missing and the stuff that’s there is old, low resolution, black and white ans cloud covered; even Bing Maps is better, and Microsoft just dropped that in Windows Phone 8 for the Nokia Maps instead.
Apple has a lot of work to cover the known world in accurate up to date mapping data. I’m not convinced that’s even really possible, but Apple will improve its offering over seas.
The histrionics over this issue is a bit much. It takes time to build maps and Apple has gotten off to a great start. Everyone will benefit from Apples efforts, even Android sufferers. Even they stand to benefit as competition here will motivate all players to up their game.
No, they seem to be getting the directions from Tom Tom and the map and 2D-3D data from elsewhere.
In my neck of the woods, Manchester UK, the maps are amazing and more upto date than any Google alternative.
Just look at the ‘new’ BBC building in Apple Maps…. err oh you can’t in Google maps as it’s still undercontruction.
Bing maps are now irrelavent and so are they’re terrible directions (which they bought from multimap).
Agreed. I frequently had errors in Google Maps, but I used Apple Maps this weekend for a 4 hour back-roads trip for my son’s high school football game and the turn-by-turn worked flawlessly.
Plus, in searching for a pizza place after the game, I was able to easily eliminate some choices due to lower ratings, and others because they were already closed (thanks Yelp!). I also like the UI, especially with a constantly updated ETA and miles to go to destination, not just overall mileage for the entire route.
Apple Maps in iOS 6 works great in Canada.
and whatever happened to all those stories of people driving onto busted bridges, closed roads and into lakes using Google Maps?
That was when Google was practically the only player. Now since there’s more than one horse, such events are unacceptable.
Unacceptable, perhaps. But there is only one horse in each race. In iOS, you get Maps (excepting usage of the web interface), in Android, you get Google with no options to use Maps at all. Both platforms will have to improve to support the platform, which is the real goal.
Once maps have matured, and Google needs maturing too, some percentage of the potential users of a platform will make their choice based on WHICH maps app works better.
Jeez! An honest objective view on this site. What’s the world coming to? I’ve had very few problems with Google maps. And Street View simply can’t be replaced by 3-D. I don’t believe that the new Apple maps are as bad as some people say but it’s definitely a work in progress. Like some, I wonder why Apple didn’t announce the maps as a beta? It certainly isn’t a finished product. Very sub standard and very Apple like. But there’s no rule that says you have to use Apple maps (unless you’re a fanboy). There are third-party products that are quite nice. Besides, I just want the stock price to go up tomorrow. Maps are the least of my worries. And remember, Apple can’t do everything perfectly. We need to leave room so other companies can survive. Especially the little guys.
This user “outrage” is silly on multiply fronts:
1. Users don’t accept reality that Apple HAD to do this. Google hasn’t been sharing map technology with the iOS platform. Keeping all the bells and whistles for Android. Apple could NOT continue to allow a competing 3rd party, no matter how good they are to control the ultimate functioning of such an important mobile component.
2. Apple, knowing they were going to be in this fix, began several years ago to play catch up. They are not there, but they couldn’t get from where they are to where they want to be without getting user data from their own app.
3. Google maps are still easily available via the web. I know it’s not the same, but there is still Street View and other Google exclusive available with only minor inconvenience.
My recommendation is to be a partner in improving the iOS ecosystem by using Apple’s Map app as much as possible. Every iOS update will probably show improvements.
Sorry, but most users don’t give a crap that Apple “had to do this”. They expect Apple products to just work.
Apple has been using this as part of their marketing message for a long time. Are the customers at fault for believing it?
Also, do you really expect the average consumer to closely follow and understand the business strategy and tactical maneuvers of the tech industry?
Apple chose to focus on Maps as a major new feature when announcing both iOS 6 and the new iPhone. People have the right to be pisses if it doesn’t work, given that once you don’t have the option to keep google maps if that worked better for you
Apple will over come this issue, just as it has in the past!
Just like they did with ping.
Not that I want to use google maps, but just for shits and giggles, I tried to get street view to work on my iPad with iOS 6. And couldn’t. Seems either the mobile or classic version with safari doesn’t let you drop a pin and wouldn’t accept text in the search bar, so to me as far as on an iOS 6 device, google maps is truly dead dead dead.
Maps is an unmitigated disaster from a consumer standpoint. Withdrawing Google maps from iOS is a move of Microsoftian proportions that only Steve Ballmer could think of. Perhaps Tim Cook should be known as Tim Ballmer from now on.
And have you seen how they have degraded the music app on the iPhone & iPad. Everything is a uniform shade of dreary grey like Apple has embraced the communist architecture of Eastern Europe. Terrible UI. Terrible design.
Could it be possible for you to get any more stuffed than you already are?
That ‘dreary grey’ is what we call good design. I like the changes, easier on the eye.
And Maps works fine.
A disaster is the 911 cover-up and murder of 3000 of its own citizens; Maps is hardly that. Works well for me.
Why do people hate you ?
You need a PR man,,,,LOL !!
May be B’sRN need a brain transplant !
PR man won’t be enough to help him !!
Apple maps will eventually become a superior product. Already more local points now in international market where I am, where Google maps started to suck big time.
Have not found any map issues yet.
BUT, street view will be missed and is a huge downer if you travel much in foreign lands, like me.
Apple will have to come up with something there.
But kicking out the Google bitch after she has been cheating on Apple was way over due.
BLN …. it is amazing how smart you seem to be …. you bitch and moan as if it is fact …. it’s just you bitching and moaning ….
When you live on forums, forums become your reality. Fact becomes whatever you make it to be.
I don’t believe that, if you go back over the last few days, you could find very many rants about the new Apple MAPS system were written because MAPS was there – they were made because the Apple MAPS system DIDN’T WORK !! VERY DIFFERENT REASONING….
many of the rants were from android dudes and apple haters in general.
as one researcher found out about antennagate: comparing forum commentators complaining about the iPhone, he found that 50% of those he could identify through registered user names in android forums were android fans who on android websites regularly posted ‘hate apple’ rants. In short a huge chunk of complainers were apple haters making things up. The antennagate iPhone had a 1.7% return rate (much lower than many android phones), won the J.D powers award for best in consumer satisfaction from a poll of thousands of phone users beating all the Samsungs, HTCs etc and was the best selling smart phone…. that’s the REALITY vs the ‘antennagate’ hype.
There were issues with iP4 antenna just like there are legit issues with the maps but the map ‘disaster’ frenzy (many people are actually reporting they are fine with it) is overblown and just like iP4 the eventual sales numbers will prove it.
I love the speed of the new Maps, and the photos that show up in the Info of points of interest (complete with Ken Burns effect).
Android Google Maps Bugs (Huge Bug List : 1199) :
• Compass showing incorrect bearing (ice cream sandwich)
• Offline My Maps
• A device should be able to easily turn on/ off GPS but only when user needs it.
• Google Maps 6.12.0: location accuracy circle missing
• [Maps] Can not input anything in the “Search help center” bar
• hone numbers not in contacts list could be found from business info in Maps
• Google Maps Icon Missing from Home Screen/Google Folder After Maps Update
• Maps – Location history – Visited place – does not store location
• Upgrading Google Maps to 6.11.1 now it won’t open my pin point locations links
• Bug GPS
• Automatic location updating is causing wakelocks between 2 devices that *should* have different settings.
• Google Navigation rotation ploblem
• Force Close at com.google.android.maps
• navigation does not get directions right
• Navigation does not reroute on missed road
• Etc., Etc., Etc.
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/list?can=2&q=maps&colspec=ID+Type+Status+Owner+Summary+Stars&cells=tiles
More business listings than Google? Amazing..
headline sounds good … but only if you execute it well.
LOL
Apple Maps might have 25% more business listings than Google Maps, but how many of them are accurate?
Apple Maps points out huge quantities of bankrupt and dead businesses, and cannot be considered anywhere up to date, once you start to look outside USA.
I’ve used Apple products since the Apple II and I think they may have jumped the shark with this debacle.
I’m just happy someone’s taking on google maps, period. Competition is good.
I am amazed at how little complaining I hear about what I think is the biggest problem with Apple Maps, that is, poor traffic data. As someone with a 45-minute commute each way, the traffic data on Google Maps was heavily used by me each morning and evening. In case you haven’t tried to see traffic data on Apple Maps, let me fill you in–it sucks!
I understand Apple had to bring its own Maps app to the iPhone, I just hope they continue to improve it so it is as functional as Google Maps.
Man, you need Waze. You cannot beat it for commuting.
Apple should have bought them!
This. Waze beats the new maps app up and down.
Nobody has talked about the visuals and maybe it’s just my eyes but I can’t see the stuff on the map (correct or not). I have a cradle that holds the phone in my car and with Google maps I had no problem seeing the roads, markers etc. Also how bout those tiny winnie little red dashed lines for the traffic. I have no problem however see the annoying big red traffic icons. For me it is a huge step backward and I don’t really want to (and shouldn’t have to) suffer while Apple Maps evolves.
Reading the comments after this story, I was struck by the number of posters trying to appear impartial while criticising Apple Maps. But their forum icon is an Android design, or they start out their “measured” Apple attack with, “I would never buy an Apple product, but my friend has the new iPhone and …”.
Wow. Fandroids can’t even Troll properly.
I’m fascinated by this whole map fiasco. As an Apple fan, I’m really glad they did it.. short term pain for long term gain. I already much prefer the ease of use and fluidity of Apple Maps compared to google, but with improvement it’s going to be amazing. Especially as its incorporated into the Apple ecosystem, and a new mobile payment system. Another intriguing likelihood: augmented reality. And what if Apple adds to Fly Over, and includes Fly Through (same things as flyover but with cameras strapped to ground based vehicles)? Don’t hold back Apple, you got the cash, use it!
the future of mobile is mobile. mobile means maps. the google API is pretty good for maps, but no great… we all know that the apple maps SDK/API or whatever toolkit they release is going to blow the freakin’ doors off Google maps.
OK, now how bout’ some subway station labels, apple, STAT.
I just want to say that I am in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and Apple Maps work great for me.