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For what it's worth that hasn't been my experience. I switched from Google to Apple Maps when I changed from Android to iOS about a year ago and basically didn'
by tomtheelder 4y ago
For what it's worth that hasn't been my experience. I switched from Google to Apple Maps when I changed from Android to iOS about a year ago and basically didn't notice a difference, except that I'm now forced into looking Yelp reviews, which sucks. I was dreading that transition, but it ended up being no big deal.
Maybe I just rely less on the POI aspect of the service than you do? I tend to use navigation more, which if anything is better on Apple.
- thefourthchime 4y agoI've mostly switched to Apple Maps now. I often compare the two and while Google Maps is certainly more complete, I find Google Maps full stop wrong often when searching for things like "Mexican food". It shows a pizza and kolache place, while Apple Maps won't. Regarding directions, I find Apple Maps more accurate in the time to destination and the UI much more pleasing. That said, if there is a ramp closed, Google is more likely to know about it. For reviews, I find Google and Yelp mostly useless, Google's reviews appear spammed while yelp is known for removing bad reviews for money. Google has some neat insights like "how busy is it now", but I've found it to be very unreliable, Yelp can sometimes let you get in line at a restaurant. Google will have more photos usually, so that's a win.
- valarauko 4y agoRegarding directions, I find Apple Maps more accurate in the time to destination and the UI much more pleasing. At least for transit, the UI is middling at best and downright confusing at times. For example, taking a bus or subway only shows you the origin and destination stops (with the route and stops in a secondary view), while every other app prominently shows you the approaching stop and how many stops left to the destination. Once you get off the bus/subway and need walking directions, Apple Maps does not switch, something many transit first apps will do. For me, the app with the best UI for public transport is hands down the Transit app. It's also the only app I've seen that will ask to confirm which bus you boarded if different buses approached your stop at the same time. Plus, the app will update transfer options based on your ETA. UI/UX aside, for route planning with public transport Citymapper is still the best.
- TillE 4y agoI should probably try one of those apps, since Google and Apple certainly don't "get" public transit. Like when I'm going somewhere and need to change trains, I really just need to know the frequency of each service, not get fixated on an exact time as if I'm buying airplane tickets.
- midoridensha 4y agoGoogle Maps certainly does "get" public transit. It's absolutely fantastic in Tokyo, telling you all the available routes, how long they'll take, how much they'll cost you, what platform to stand on, what station exit to take, which train car to board for most efficient transfer, what time the train will come exactly, etc. I don't need the frequency of trains, I need the exact time it comes, because that is when the train will arrive. And if I get delayed by stopping in a shop in the station, it's no big deal since the next train will arrive within 5 minutes anyway.
- valarauko 4y agoHere in NYC, Google Maps does absolutely none of these. It doesn't offer price, or which train car to board for efficient transfers - both of these are only offered in the Citymapper app. All the apps do offer when the next train will arrive, but most will not offer alternate line trains on the fly if you were to stop over at a shop, for example. The Transit app does offer alternate lines on the fly, but only if it was one of the initial alternatives for that sector. Citymapper is also the only app that handles train or bus disruptions somewhat gracefully - I've had both Google and Apple maps offer routes on trains that were currently not running.
- midoridensha 4y ago>It doesn't offer price Aren't all train tickets the same price in NYC? In Tokyo, there's a bunch of different train companies, and every fare is different depending on the company, where you're going, if you're doing a transfer, etc. >or which train car to board for efficient transfers Because it would be useless: in America, there's absolutely no concept of a train stopping at the same place in a station every time. There could be a half-train-length difference between where one train stops, and where the next train stops on the same tracks in the same station, because the operators are so sloppy. Here in Tokyo, they stop at the exact same place every time: there's automated doors on the platform that have to line up with the train doors in many stations, and specific places to stand marked on the platform with markings for which car number will be there.
- valarauko 4y agoWhile I do generally use Apple Maps for directions, their utter reliance on Yelp for POI is frustrating. I find I have to confirm business hours with Google Maps which has tended to be more reliable when in conflict, at least in my experience in NYC. I also wish Apple Maps had an offline mode - I find I have to fall back to GMaps on the subway.