Who benefits from iOS6's crappy maps?

[DarkTower87]

The classic criticism that thoughtless Apple haters use against the company is that it makes products that are pretty but dumb. Usually those criticisms are by people who don't understand the value of a comprehensible user experience, frustrated by the reality that many people will eagerly trade the open-ended technologies of competitors for the simple and satisfying experience that Apple provides.


But this time, they're right: Apple's made a new product that actually is pretty but dumb. Worse, they've used their platform dominance to privilege their own app over a competitor's offering, even though it's a worse experience for users. This is the new Maps in iOS 6.




http://dashes.com/anil/2012/09/who-b...appy-maps.html

[kwiksilver]

Because google maps was perfect when it launched?

cmon

[pckid9234]

Originally Posted by kwiksilver

Because google maps was perfect when it launched?

cmon

if google maps did like voice and re routing automatically it would be perfect (even if i had to pay)... i bought navigon and its eh at best

[Namtaro]

Originally Posted by kwiksilver

Because google maps was perfect when it launched?

cmon

I agree... but still can't deny it's a ****ty app. Wished they released it as a public standalone app so users could give feedback for a year before they fully integrated it.

In other news, google looks to have submitted their maps app already. If it goes through, I'm sure a jailbreak tweak will come along to allow google maps to be used as the default maps app. Only then would I switch to iOS6. For now, I'm happy on iOS5.

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/09/20/...-app-to-apple/

[jbmcmillan]

Originally Posted by kwiksilver

Because google maps was perfect when it launched?

cmon

Very true but they happen to be in an awkward position of replacing something that works with something that doesn't very well.So in that position you would think they would introduce it as an option until they have the major bugs worked out.

[WordMasterRice]

Originally Posted by kwiksilver

Because google maps was perfect when it launched?

cmon

Unfortunately what Google maps was like when it launched isn't really relevant. Up until iOS 5 we had Google maps, now we don't. I think that Apple Maps has some promise, it does render maps very well. The problem with that is that it is often rendering inaccurate maps

In the meantime I'm sure there will be a Google solution shortly, Google makes tons of money from maps on iOS devices and I doubt they are looking to give that up.

[MattSharkey]

Originally Posted by WordMasterRice

In the meantime I'm sure there will be a Google solution shortly, Google makes tons of money from maps on iOS devices and I doubt they are looking to give that up.

The second Google releases a map App for the iphone I'm ditching the default maps. I already have a "Useless Apps" folder, and it fills up with each update....

[AruisDante]

Originally Posted by pckid9234

if google maps did like voice and re routing automatically it would be perfect (even if i had to pay)... i bought navigon and its eh at best

It does on Android. For some reason the iOS version of Maps was pretty much never updated for the last 3 years.

Personally I don't have any problems with the new version of maps, but I haven't used it enough to really make a judgement. But hopefully now that it's first party it will be updated frequently.

[WordMasterRice]

Originally Posted by AruisDante

It does on Android. For some reason the iOS version of Maps was pretty much never updated for the last 3 years.

Personally I don't have any problems with the new version of maps, but I haven't used it enough to really make a judgement. But hopefully now that it's first party it will be updated frequently.

I hope the same but I'm not holding my breath, I've been using it for 3 months and other than new 3D (ie worthless) cities they haven't updated it much in that time period.

[hostage67]

Just updated to iOS 6 today and don't see any problems with the new mapping system so far. It actually has a few added features, but we won't really know how well it does until we've been able to give it some time. Oh ya, and image quality is much better on the new maps than it ever was for Google maps.

[AruisDante]

Originally Posted by hostage67

Just updated to iOS 6 today and don't see any problems with the new mapping system so far. It actually has a few added features, but we won't really know how well it does until we've been able to give it some time. Oh ya, and image quality is much better on the new maps than it ever was for Google maps.

Apparently in some locations it's absolutely abysmal at finding places (like restaurants/businesses etc), and even when it does find the place it often puts it on the wrong location on the map. It also dropped support for non-driving directions, making it useless for people in cities that rely on public transport... I.E. the majority of tech writers.

I agree it is definitely better looking, but it is sad that they dropped support for some really useful features.

[jbmcmillan]

Originally Posted by AruisDante

Apparently in some locations it's absolutely abysmal at finding places (like restaurants/businesses etc), and even when it does find the place it often puts it on the wrong location on the map. It also dropped support for non-driving directions, making it useless for people in cities that rely on public transport... I.E. the majority of tech writers.

I agree it is definitely better looking, but it is sad that they dropped support for some really useful features.

I think I just read somewhere that you have to use a separate download for transit but it works well.

[AruisDante]

Originally Posted by jbmcmillan

I think I just read somewhere that you have to use a separate download for transit but it works well.

You use a native transet application. Like NYC's metro system has an app. Sure it's functional, but why force going native when it was all built in before?