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Apple’s voice prompts UX is better than Google. Apple tells you when to turn based on the traffic lights, rather than by distance, as well as guidance on which

Apple’s voice prompts UX is better than Google. Apple tells you when to turn based on the traffic lights, rather than by distance, as well as guidance on which lane to stay in. The only problem is sometimes it misses lights or stop signs. For example: turn right at the traffic lights after the next one vs “turn right in 500 meters.”

ytpete 4y ago
Google Maps has been showing traffic lights (and stop signs) on the route ahead for the last couple months – so I wonder if they will be shifting soon to a similar way of indicating upcoming turns. This seems like the kind of thing that's great if the map data is extremely accurate, but far worse than the older style if there's any chance of mis-counting lights. Even hitting a glitch once (e.g. it says 2 lights when it's really 3) could hurt trust in the app's navigation a lot.
- chrischen 4y ago
  I’ve found lights data on Apple map to be fairly accurate. Rarely does it miss one or think a 4 way light is a 4 way stop sign intersection.
jhugo 4y ago
Apple Maps directions also has an "alerts only" mode which will shut up completely unless you need to know something urgent (e.g. you are approaching a 60 km/h speed trap and going faster than 60 km/h). If you have the watch it will gently tap your wrist shortly before each turn, and it displays the turn in a very clear, uncluttered way on the watch screen, which you can clearly comprehend without needing to take your hand off the wheel. I find this is great in rental cars if you have no phone mount nor CarPlay and you want to avoid needing to interact with your phone while driving.
- Sirened 4y ago
  I love maps on the watch but it is incredibly annoying that you can't activate the screen (ie raise to wake) while keeping your hands on the wheel.
  - jhugo 4y ago
    Interesting, I haven't noticed this issue, but I use my watch on the same hand that changes gear (at least when I'm in a country that drives on the right, which is most of the time), so I guess I'm used to having that hand off the wheel fairly often anyway. (Edited to add: I just went for a drive and paid more attention to how I use the watch with Maps, and I don't take my hand off the wheel if I'm just looking at the directions. Rotating it towards me quickly is enough to get the screen to wake. I have the Series 6 where the screen only dims and hides dynamic information when 'sleeping'. Maybe older watches where the screen actually turns off & on have a higher threshold before they wake?)

ytpete 4y ago

Google Maps has been showing traffic lights (and stop signs) on the route ahead for the last couple months – so I wonder if they will be shifting soon to a similar way of indicating upcoming turns. This seems like the kind of thing that's great if the map data is extremely accurate, but far worse than the older style if there's any chance of mis-counting lights. Even hitting a glitch once (e.g. it says 2 lights when it's really 3) could hurt trust in the app's navigation a lot.

chrischen 4y ago
I’ve found lights data on Apple map to be fairly accurate. Rarely does it miss one or think a 4 way light is a 4 way stop sign intersection.

jhugo 4y ago

Apple Maps directions also has an "alerts only" mode which will shut up completely unless you need to know something urgent (e.g. you are approaching a 60 km/h speed trap and going faster than 60 km/h). If you have the watch it will gently tap your wrist shortly before each turn, and it displays the turn in a very clear, uncluttered way on the watch screen, which you can clearly comprehend without needing to take your hand off the wheel. I find this is great in rental cars if you have no phone mount nor CarPlay and you want to avoid needing to interact with your phone while driving.

Sirened 4y ago
I love maps on the watch but it is incredibly annoying that you can't activate the screen (ie raise to wake) while keeping your hands on the wheel.
- jhugo 4y ago
  Interesting, I haven't noticed this issue, but I use my watch on the same hand that changes gear (at least when I'm in a country that drives on the right, which is most of the time), so I guess I'm used to having that hand off the wheel fairly often anyway. (Edited to add: I just went for a drive and paid more attention to how I use the watch with Maps, and I don't take my hand off the wheel if I'm just looking at the directions. Rotating it towards me quickly is enough to get the screen to wake. I have the Series 6 where the screen only dims and hides dynamic information when 'sleeping'. Maybe older watches where the screen actually turns off & on have a higher threshold before they wake?)