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I think it's a tricky question. Wait six months: increases the pain iOS users feel, and possibly increases migration to Android, but by how much? If you've bou

I think it's a tricky question. Wait six months: increases the pain iOS users feel, and possibly increases migration to Android, but by how much? If you've bought an iPhone 5, in many cases that means a 1-year contract (or renewal). And in six months, Apple may have released a better Maps app that fixes the problem. Release Google Maps for iOS sooner: iPhone users feel less pain, but Google Maps keeps more users. Actually though, the more I think of it, even in the latter scenario, Apple still wins, because whenever they release their fixed Maps app, they win back the entire market because they own the platform. So maybe the first strategy actually makes more sense.

dannyr 14y ago
Well, not every IPhone user upgraded the past week or so. Some people might think twice about upgrading to the IPhone 5 based on the complaints on the Maps app. While there are people who are loyal Apple fans, there are some that are on the fence. This might be enough to push them over to Android or Windows Phone. Once you go to another platform, you're likely locked into a 2-year contract and it's going to be hard for Apple to get them back.
- evoxed 14y ago
  > Once you go to another platform, you're likely locked into a 2-year contract and it's going to be hard for Apple to get them back. I think it would be very interesting though to see what would happen if Apple did face some sort of collateral damage whether for this or some other decision. Apple hasn't exactly found itself in many tight spots, or at least doesn't let it show. If a significant chunk of users left and Apple decided it was worth it to get them back, the fastest way to get over the contract hump is just what they've done occasionally in the past: cut the price, aggressively. Of course, this might not be realistic except in some warped little technodoomsday scenario, but still... I wonder...
- hellweaver666 14y ago
  I for one, won't be upgrading until there is a standalone Google Maps app. I've just moved to a new city and I use Google Maps a lot to find my way around. I've seen the iOS6 maps in use and it's utter garbage in comparison.
batgaijin 14y ago
Why does google care about people using Google Maps? The little bit of money + data they'd get from it is nothing compared to the level of frustration and outright hatred that a key app misfunctioning like this might create. I'm betting Apple won't fix it in 6 months unless they start buying map corps.
- ryannielsen 14y ago
  Apple has purchased mapping companies. According to Wikipedia[1], they've purchased Placebase, Poly9, and C3 Technologies – all companies associated with mapping. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Apple http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisition...

dannyr 14y ago

Well, not every IPhone user upgraded the past week or so. Some people might think twice about upgrading to the IPhone 5 based on the complaints on the Maps app. While there are people who are loyal Apple fans, there are some that are on the fence. This might be enough to push them over to Android or Windows Phone. Once you go to another platform, you're likely locked into a 2-year contract and it's going to be hard for Apple to get them back.

evoxed 14y ago
> Once you go to another platform, you're likely locked into a 2-year contract and it's going to be hard for Apple to get them back. I think it would be very interesting though to see what would happen if Apple did face some sort of collateral damage whether for this or some other decision. Apple hasn't exactly found itself in many tight spots, or at least doesn't let it show. If a significant chunk of users left and Apple decided it was worth it to get them back, the fastest way to get over the contract hump is just what they've done occasionally in the past: cut the price, aggressively. Of course, this might not be realistic except in some warped little technodoomsday scenario, but still... I wonder...
hellweaver666 14y ago
I for one, won't be upgrading until there is a standalone Google Maps app. I've just moved to a new city and I use Google Maps a lot to find my way around. I've seen the iOS6 maps in use and it's utter garbage in comparison.

batgaijin 14y ago

Why does google care about people using Google Maps? The little bit of money + data they'd get from it is nothing compared to the level of frustration and outright hatred that a key app misfunctioning like this might create. I'm betting Apple won't fix it in 6 months unless they start buying map corps.

ryannielsen 14y ago
Apple has purchased mapping companies. According to Wikipedia[1], they've purchased Placebase, Poly9, and C3 Technologies – all companies associated with mapping. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Apple http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisition...