“Today, we know that the iOS version of Google Maps has been inferior to its Android sibling for sometime, turn-by-turn directions being the most obvious example,” Kontra writes for counternotions. “Clearly, Google and Apple have far better ability to integrate apps into their own respective mobile ecosystems, but we don’t really know the contractual, commercial and even technical considerations for the disparity in this particular case.”
“After outsmarting and outspending its then-chief rival MapQuest, Google has been dominating mobile maps on phones for half a decade. From a corporate rivalry standpoint, Google is in an enviable position at the moment, certainly amused by the current kerfuffle around the iOS 6 Maps app,” Kontra writes. “However, it would be monumentally myopic of Google management to “decide not to build an [iOS native map] app” or to think Apple Maps’s lack of polish will cause any meaningful migration of iOS users to Android or that Apple management would let that happen.”
Kontra writes, “Samsung may have become the biggest smartphone seller by volume, but I’m sure even Andy Rubin realizes Samsung doesn’t have 400+ million users (each with a credit card account) who have proven themselves to be the world’s most lucrative online demographics. These users have invested billions in Apple’s media and app ecosystem. They are the happiest bunch whenever product satisfaction surveys are taken. They upgrade regularly. They are loyal. They frequent Apple Stores with alarming regularity. They wait in line, rain or shine. They are not going anywhere.”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
MacDailyNews Take: As we wrote earlier today:
This is all Google’s loss: iOS users are the ones with money to spend and the will to spend it; you’ll have no access to hundreds of millions of the world’s cream-of-the-crop consumers… That’s right, the world’s best, most well-heeled mobile consumers do not use Google Maps. Meanwhile, Apple’s Maps will relentlessly continue to improve… Let Google’s rueing continue unabated.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Synth” for the heads up.]
Apple are taking a risk for good reasons. Thats a calculated risk. Google need to be on all phones if they are going to continue growing. If I was Google, I would get that App in the App Store asap.
One year from now, Apple could be the Map Kings, and Google could see their star fade.
This the first REAL challenge to Google – and Apple haven’t lost a battle like this since Steve Jobs came back.
I must forward your excellent comment about Apple not losing a battle since Steve Jobs came back to all my friends on Ping.
Oh…
Come on.. You really dare calling “ping” a battle? Please..
Well he did say a “battle like this.” Ping wasn’t in the same category. This maps thing is the major leagues. There are a lot of small private mapping companies. I look for Apple and Google to start fighting over them. It’s not going to be pretty and unlike ping, nobody’s going to go quietly.
What I don’t get is why Microsoft is not rushing out an IOS mapping app. Maybe they’re working on it, but they could really get a foot in the door with Bing maps.
So Dave … You must not have many friends if they’re all on Ping, either now or in the past.
Tim Cook is “doubling down” and kicking Google to the curb.
I agree with this article. In the country where I live. Those who own an apple product are from the top echelon of society. The A & B class. Those who have the means. Don’t care much about maps too.
yes, if there’s one thing that separates wealthy people from the rest of us is that wealthy people don’t seem to mind getting lost….
supposed to be funny…?
If you’re to stupid to get around without a friggin’ app then you’re already more than lost.
Google is fighting on all fronts. With Apple and MS basically burying the hatchet and calling detente, Google has to take them both on at the same time. With one of their major OEM suppliers announcing that they are putting WP8 on their flagship phones and the Nexus maker loading up a home grown browser and OS, they have very few allies left.
Balkanization of mobile operating systems leaving iOS as the one platform with version continuity.
If you know what you are doing, you already know where you are going.
Nuff said.
Apple is very good in taking things, services or products, turn technology around and make them the most successfully and profitable service or product in the world and that twist became a standard.
So if google can count on something, that is that apple will displace them in the map business very soon.
Thats exactly right!
gurgle just lost a lot of iOS users, those upgrades and new iPhones,
iPads, iPod touch , in short , mobile ads revenues $$$$$$$$$$$
“the world’s best, most well-heeled mobile consumers do not use Google Maps”
Sure we do. For another 48 hours, until my iPhone 5 shows up.
Priceless. You’re great.
“iOS users are the ones with money to spend and the will to spend it”? What study or survay did that claim come from? I’m only curious!
It sounds like MDN is claiming that android users in general are poor and are not willing to spend….which is not necessarily true.
No it’s true and been true for some time. Android app sales are only 7% of iOS app store sales.
http://www.quora.com/Do-iPhone-users-spend-more-money-on-apps-than-Android-users
Yes, it is true that iOS apps sell far better than Android apps. But is the statement “iOS users are the ones with the money to spend” valid?
So, I have a friend who uses android. With that statement above, can I say he uses android because he does not have the money to spend on apps, as implied by the earlier claim? It could just be that he prefers Android’s deep customization over iOS’s simplicity, could it not?
Majority are at least on what I see around me. The people I see using androids are the Samoans, Micronesians, and those people wait t the bus stops.in short, the ones who uses EBT.
At my work for example, 90% who opted for an android device are actually under EBT. I’m not lying here. Just stating what I’m seeing.
These statements are meant to be general. No one analysis can be made on every individual in an entire genre of people. However, for the most part (and in this case, woth android users) we can say that most people in this group make their decision based mainly on costs (purchasing an android phone because most are less expensive and also not spending very much money on apps). This tells me that iPhone owners, in general, have more disposable income then android users.
Please keep in mind that this is not meant to be offensive. Most of my family and friends are android owners.
My condolences. 😉
ROTFLMFAO!!!
I always thought they spent less on apps because the apps are crappy
No Steve, I’m sorry to tell you that it means your friend is so poor that he can’t even pay attention 🙁 get rid of him, could be contagious .
I actually don’t believe it is valid and hate when it’s brought up. What is more true to reality, would be, “iOS users are the ones WILLING to spend money.” Which says a lot about the value iOS users place in the platform versus Android users, who usually are just replacing a feature phone and don’t have much interest in mobile platforms per se.
That, I can agree with completely!
m.imore.com/ios-gamers-spend-times-android-players
http://www.forbes.com/sites/darcytravlos/2012/08/22/five-reasons-why-google-android-versus-apple-ios-market-share-numbers-dont-matter/
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/12/ios-revenues-vs-android/
http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-android-mobile-web-usage-2012-6
Google needs “A Map of All Our Failures”… Google Chrome OS, Orkut, Wave, Buzz, Google X, Google Answers, Audio Ads, Jaiku, Google Notebook, f*cked Apple. A eternal Beta.
Great article. Google stands to lose so much. Eric Schmidt, by making fun of Apple Maps and taunting Apple saying self-serving disingenuous crap (instead of being classy about it), probably only makes Tim Cook grit his teeth and strengthen his resolve to thermonuclearize Google. It’s going to hurt Eric, it’s REALLY going to hurt. And we are going to love every painful moment of it.
Turn-by-turn has been on Android forever – hell, 4G has been on Android forever – and the 4S still outsold all other Android phones combined on Verizon. So temporary shortcomings on a superior mapping platform are going to get users to jump ship when all of these other “advantages” have failed to do so? Kiss that map-based revenue goodbye, Google. Apple – and the vast majority of Apple users – have moved on.
I, for one, am going to change my default search engine from google to bing. I have been using google, since before they were google, and I just can’t support them anymore. Their hunger to do everything for everyone, it’s all about harvesting our information for their adds. They have become to big for their britches. And that, “don’t be evil” crap, give me a break.
I will miss chrome, but I am willing to go back to Firefox.
Time to move on.
Six months agoI switched to Yahoo. Love it.
“Google” who?
Check out “Axis” iPhone only App from yahoo!. Amazing. Search & Browser integrated into one slick app. Choke on that Gaagle. IF yahoo!, under its new leadership can remain loyal to Apple it will be truely a world of hurt for Gaagle and it’s unethical leadership. Apple should either acquire yahoo! Or make DAM SURE they dont make the same COLOSSAL mistake with yahoo! like they did with Gaagle.
Just got it, it looks quite interesting. I’ve been using Bing for a few years now but this looks to be a good alternative. Thanks for the heads up 😉
I don’t know what’s the big fuss. The apple maps work well for me. No issues. I like that they are less cluttered without the property lines. Google has street view which I miss very much but when you have to look a little further down, I tap the hire arrow and it takes me up a little bit at a time, with apple flyover I just move it up a little and it gives me a 3 dimensional look of the building. Much better view than street view on google. I did notice that google maps street view is extended into Mexico which I go to often, apple maps does not have that in atleast a lot of the places I go to. That I wish apple maps would add eventually. The 3d view is slow but hopefully once it’s improved it will be very smooth and will be better than google maps. At least for me.
Get Live Street View app
These users have invested billions in Apple’s media and app ecosystem. (True) They are the happiest bunch whenever product satisfaction surveys are taken. (Not always) They upgrade regularly. (More than most) They are loyal. (Somewhat) They frequent Apple Stores with alarming regularity. (Not those with significant others or full time employment) They wait in line, rain or shine. (Not since SW went largely download) They are not going anywhere. (If we need to)
Everybody tries to characterize Apple customers as blind follower fanbois that gladly lap up anything Apple releases. For some that may be true, but not for most. Many switched to the Mac as significant cost after tiring of tedious Windows babysitting. More came when the revolutionary iPhone came along with a whole new business model to boot.
If Apple effs up hard enough and long enough they will find themselves no longer the hot hand and no longer with anywhere as many customers. Truth be told many use iPhone, iPad and Mac because there is no better alternative. None.
Google maps sucked also when they first debuted. Apple maps only need some time to grow and mature. Compare apple maps now to what Google maps was when it first came out and we’ll see that Apple actually did a fairly decent job for just now truly getting into maps. I guess a 50% improvement within six months. I guess 100% improvement over the next 12 months. Keep two things in mind: Apple maps need only satisfy iOS users. Not only does Apple have the intent and money to hire the best mapping people, but the best mapping people available will also want to come and work for Apple. Retraction: 150% improvement over the next 12 months.
Give it a couple of months; no substantial improvement, then start getting worried that Apple don’t know what they’re doing. (But I’ll wager they do.)
This closely parelles my argument from several weeks ago here:
http://beta.fool.com/jaans/2012/08/20/understanding-apple-vs-google-maps-deep-analysis-e/9606
Here’s a headline in need of an article:
Why Writers Need To Start Their Headlines With Something Other Than Why
Man…the more i visit this site, the more it feels like a weird creepy church with a charismatic leader that gets all of his followers to throw money at him indiscriminately–then swear “no, we’re really happy here, honest”.
Apphole has become the new Microshaft…man how the tables have turned… I’m out…PEACE BEEOTCHES!!!
Apphole? Microshaft? Does that make you feel clever?
Kids…
AMEN.
CHL to ink deal with AAPL
Google map is not that good in China, Apple making the bet to make it more appealing to Chinese customer while dumping Google and start fresh with ios6 around the world.
Google’s behaviour is nothing short of appalling. I particularly dislike Google Update insisting on automatically updating the few GApps I have whether I want them to or not. WTF?? I case you hadn’t noticed, Obergooglefuhrer, it’s my frickin’ machine, not yours.
Solution: I use Little Snitch to block the Google Update app—fsck ’em!!
=:~)
This whole map thing sounds like a “fish or cut bait” moment for the Apple. It’s clear to me they made a choice to further remove Google from there business. All this hand waving by the media or competition doesn’t mean crap. Google just got kicked in the nuts and they didn’t see it coming. The new question is where else is Google vulnerable? That’s where you’ll see Apple next.
This article is spot on. The majority of people that use Android are money conscious and just want a smart phone. Technophiles are by far the minority in the Android world. In contrast people who have the money and want the best product are buying in to the iOS ecosystem. True, there are a few who don’t have a lot of income that give up something else just to get the best. I did Windows for over 20 years and am so happy and satisfied to be a total Apple convert for going on 2 years now.
It’s the API, stupid!
iOS 6 maps are going to be way better for developers. Google maps API has some limitations that are a real pain in the butt that made our location based app glitchy due to workarounds.
Everyone thinks google is so open, but the way they shift terms on their “FREE” API’s – you must always read the fine print. Google’s business model is to put competition out of business with FREE software and then to monetize their API’s. With Apple, we know that there is going to be a 70/30 split when we sell our app – with Google we never really exactly know how it is monetized – a combo of datamining our customers’ and then monetizing the most successful apps by charging huge API fees.
Wait til Apple gets into the search business to amplify Siri. Let’s see all the googleheads trying not to defend competition.
“Apple shouldn’t be in search because its bad for competition”, after all those years of arguing for more competition, googleheads will have a conniption fit, trying to explain why more competition from a competitor is bad. LOL. I can’t wait.