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Many iPhone/iPad users aren't happy with Apple's (AAPL) new Maps app, which displaces Google...
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Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 6:33 PM ETMany iPhone/iPad users aren't happy with Apple's (AAPL) new Maps app, which displaces Google Maps (GOOG) with today's iOS 6 launch. The loss of Street View and public transit data is frustrating many, as are the search results. Even Apple die-hard John Gruber is a critic. The discontent is unlikely to convince Apple to have a change of heart, but it could drive many users to opt for Google's home-grown iOS Maps release (likely to feature ads) when it arrives ... provided Apple doesn't block it. (iPhone 5 reviews)
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This news story has 58 comments:
Rather than just say "many" with some sky-is-falling snippet, perhaps give us some more meat -- like an estimation of how many users have upgraded to iOS6 vs the percentage of upgradees that are complaining about the maps app?
When John Gruber and MG Siegler both say the app is inferior to Google Maps (at least for now), it's probably worth taking notice.
IMHO, there should be some type of quantitative approach before using words as subjective as "a lot" or "many".
Since I don't have a blog, I suppose that makes my opinion that iOS6 maps are better for my personal purposes "a little less" important. ;-)
We would all buy them then later buy the updates ?
Worked for Microsoft for decades.
And people say they 'miss that' feature in iOS 6? C'mon! That was a feature that never existed...
It's fair to say that people want Street View, and they don't yet have it, but let's get the facts straight, shall we?
Street view is offered with iOS5.1.1 at least, iPad and iPhone, you drop a pin and then click on the little orange icon of a person.
which is very similar icon to OS 10.8, I don't recall on 10.7!?
And I have no issue with maps. I never used street view before (though someone above says it wasn't even in iOS5)... and I don't use public transit.
I do think the maps system is overall more responsive and I like the Apple interface tweaks. My humble opinion. ;-)
I'm not saying conspiracy theory, just saying business is business. It appears that in the short term iPhone users may suffer but Apple's culture of user experience has not worsened with iOS6, just some features are ... er ... broken, and that may very well be that Google pushed Apple in a corner. Again my view is based on reading the blogs and quotes from Google.
simple. Anyone who used the I OS map program made by Apple on the iPhone or iPad used a simple program that doesn't come close to what Apple released today. Street view wasn't part of the picture unless you used the web. The Squealing Geeks on the tech sites will be crushed in a similar fashion to the 4 or 4s release, the general public will love it and the geeks will squeal.
Done.
Where did YouTube go? The App Store.
Within a week there could be 8 million new users. How many need GV to find their way around Manhattan?
I've used Google maps 100s of times & street view is totally useless.
maps.google.com
Google has been building maps for a decade, so I understand Apple being a little behind the curve. With a little time I am sure they will fix everything, and then some.
On the positive side, I'm looking forward to trying out the new tom-tom navigation.
What are you trying to sell here?
It's a fact of digital life that we have been working with prototypes and have been unpaid debuggers since DOS.
Apple will get it right, they always do.
Most people don't drive to strange places very often, and even then the Interstate Highway system goes directly to almost all cities of any size, and if you really need directions to go somewhere, it is best to go online and print them out before your journey instead of trying to squint at a tiny screen in bright sunlight in your car.
The Maps app has been a very useful too for me when I don't have my Garmin GPS with me. It's especially great for walking in a city environment for finding businesses. Don't forget that you can zoom in and out. Even with the 3.5" screen, it has never held me back from using the app.
Long both Apple and Nokia.
Yesterday I downloaded iOS 6 and now there is no icon on the desktop and to read the articles I have to go the app store to open the latest edition, so no offline reading possible. This is more likely to cause defections than a change in the maps service.
And a lot of early iOS 6 users are disappointed, in spite of the protests of some Apple supporters. It's now the top story on Techmeme.
I use the map program on a regular basis and right away I noticed the short comings of Apple's new map program.
No street view is a big minus for me. In addition, I found that the program does not recognize some addresses as addresses, which was not a problem in the old program. So now I have to manually enter the addresses.
Yeah, Apple is not perfect. Get over it.
Considering that there are tens of millions of iPhone owner, I guess that there would be MILLIONS of people who are not satisfied with it, and that is a LOT of people, by any measure.
I expect Siri assisted turn by turn is going to be far more important than street view. I didn't even know there was Google maps street view on my iphone until now. I also accept that Street View is very important to you. I'm certainly not going to argue that it's not important to you.
I completely agree with your general statement on learning to accept constructive criticism. Some people here are going over the top being defensive.
Apple had to go to another maps solution. Google wouldn't put turn by turn in for iOS. Google isn't going to win anything by pushing Apple into this either. Google gets 4 times the ad revenue from iOS as they do Android. Some of that was coming from Google maps on iOS.
Navigation - It's definitely different, but before no turn by turn. I actually like this iteration better, and Apple added an intelligent assist which pops up your home and recent searches. Which is really cool and obviously part of the Apple ecosystem in this regard sync services between Safari and your other Apple devices, cool!
Street view - I may or may not miss it. Like Rooky said it's not really something you can use in a car any who. On the sidewalk cruising for a meal in Little Italy (SF), sure it comes in handy, but I have the Google Map app on my home screen.
3D - Hmmm, the close ups must still in Beta, gotta be. But the overall experience is really really fast, and I'm still on an iPhone 4
I could go on there's lots of little changes definitely a keeper.
And naysayers must keep in mind Google dropped the ball, Apple pulled the plug. Apple came to market with a new app. Apps develop. Case in point, the Message app in iOS5 did not allow for group texting, as in select a group, one had to select one at a time, it still is the case now with iOS6, but one need not turn of the whole shebang in order to use third party apps like "Group Text", sweet ... I'm 100% positive Apple will get it together by iOS6.2
Since when were maps a fundamental part of the phone for anyone! Answer NEVER
Sam, was that a joke? If so that's funny.
Even small enterprises understand how to mold Blog and internet reads on topics like this - to the extent of even hiring bloggers etc.and paying to put at top of list on Google.
Gee- do ya maybe think Google (0r Samsung) of all companies might understand this and blast as much negative takes on the new iOS Maps as possible as it launched ?? - not like they don't have a vested
interest of any sort
All the Techno geeks will parcel minute deficiencies in iOS Maps vs Google - while 97% of iPhone users won't even notice and Apple will once again sell record numbers of the 5 and plan to sell even more of the 6 next year. Same story every release.
Apple builds their products and systems to satisfy Moms, kids and families for everyday use to enrich their lives - not for CIO technicals who will have to switch over as these users insist on bringing their Apple products to the office
Regarding copying, Apple actually borrowed a lot from Google to make its app. Google Maps revolutionized online mapping when it arrived (remember what Mapquest used to look like?) and Apple's UI is using a lot of similar elements. "Copying" is a two-way street (pardon the pun).
But like I said, this post was more about Google than Apple. They're the ones who really win/lose from how consumers respond to Maps. The world doesn't revolve around Apple, though the tech press often does :).
still accustomed to goog ...