> [if you follow] Google’s attempts at developing a quality mapping service, you will notice that they initially tried to automate the entire process and failed

> [if you follow] Google’s attempts at developing a quality mapping service, you will notice that they initially tried to automate the entire process and failed miserably, as Apple has. And they can improve, as Google did. But customers are very forgiving of mistakes and iteration when your product is the first and best (so far); plus, Apple's key branding is quality. > Apple lacks the ability to mine vast amounts of local search data, as Google was able to do when it started its mapping project This is an interesting competitive advantage Google has that is really really hard to beat. Similar to what Facebook has. But... perhaps Apple also has data? e.g. from Siri queries? They can certainly gather it now, now that their mapping app is being used.