3 ms·

Is this because Apple is so bad, or just that Google is so much better than everyone else? I’ve never used physical satnav units, but how do they compare to App

Is this because Apple is so bad, or just that Google is so much better than everyone else? I’ve never used physical satnav units, but how do they compare to Apples offerings?

DaiPlusPlus 9y ago
The main aftermarket satnav products are from Garmin and TomTom - and in-car systems tend to either license their tech or use NavTeq/HERE. Even Apple Maps bootstrapped off TomTom and still largely just aggregates from other sources. I use iOS, but I very much prefer using Google Maps to Apple Maps: mainly for the Google Account integration, and it feels like they provide more information (shop/restaurant hours, street-view) even though Apple Maps provides almost the same level of detail. On my desktop I use a Google Maps and the map design is the same so familiarity helps, whereas Apple Maps is strictly off-limits for Windows and Linux users. Given that Apple and Microsoft are no-longer competing in the mobile space (MSFT finally admitted Windows Phone's failure earlier this year) maybe we can see Apple choosing MSFT/Bing services over Google? Apple could save a lot of money by switching to Bing Maps, and with a re-skin no-one would notice!
- chrisper 9y ago
  HERE has their own app, too. It is not bad, but sadly not quite Google Maps level. https://wego.here.com https://wego.here.com https://here.com/en/products-services/consumer-app/here-wego-app https://here.com/en/products-services/consumer-app/here-wego... Btw. HERE is owned by Audi and some other car companies.
  - dpcx 9y ago
    It also has an offline feature that most other mobile map services would kill for.
izacus 9y ago
It varies by location a lot, but here in central Europe, Garmin units (including builtin satnav) tend to be more accurate and carry more car-relevant information (speed limits, etc.) than Apple Maps. Same goes for Google Maps as well, which still don't have speed limits available which is kind of critical when driving through unfamiliar streets.

Is this because Apple is so bad, or just that Google is so much better than everyone else? I’ve never used physical satnav units, but how do they compare to Apples offerings?

DaiPlusPlus 9y ago

The main aftermarket satnav products are from Garmin and TomTom - and in-car systems tend to either license their tech or use NavTeq/HERE. Even Apple Maps bootstrapped off TomTom and still largely just aggregates from other sources. I use iOS, but I very much prefer using Google Maps to Apple Maps: mainly for the Google Account integration, and it feels like they provide more information (shop/restaurant hours, street-view) even though Apple Maps provides almost the same level of detail. On my desktop I use a Google Maps and the map design is the same so familiarity helps, whereas Apple Maps is strictly off-limits for Windows and Linux users. Given that Apple and Microsoft are no-longer competing in the mobile space (MSFT finally admitted Windows Phone's failure earlier this year) maybe we can see Apple choosing MSFT/Bing services over Google? Apple could save a lot of money by switching to Bing Maps, and with a re-skin no-one would notice!

chrisper 9y ago
HERE has their own app, too. It is not bad, but sadly not quite Google Maps level. https://wego.here.com https://wego.here.com https://here.com/en/products-services/consumer-app/here-wego-app https://here.com/en/products-services/consumer-app/here-wego... Btw. HERE is owned by Audi and some other car companies.
- dpcx 9y ago
  It also has an offline feature that most other mobile map services would kill for.

izacus 9y ago

It varies by location a lot, but here in central Europe, Garmin units (including builtin satnav) tend to be more accurate and carry more car-relevant information (speed limits, etc.) than Apple Maps. Same goes for Google Maps as well, which still don't have speed limits available which is kind of critical when driving through unfamiliar streets.