4 ms·

If I live in Manhattan and extensively use Maps for public transport info, is it true that feature no longer exists? If so, I'm going to wait before upgrading

by zaidf 14y ago

If I live in Manhattan and extensively use Maps for public transport info, is it true that feature no longer exists? If so, I'm going to wait before upgrading to iOS 6. Widespread blunder like this does so much to hurt the Apple brand especially in light of an ambitious competitor like Samsung. Apple should realize that even its biggest fan boys will begin rethinking if you cripple basic parts of their product repeatedly. There will come an unforced blunder that couldn't be fixed by an update or use of a cover. I've been an iPhone user for years but am seriously considering a move to S3 after coming across a few use cases that make me hate Apple. Basically the trend I am beginning to see is that if you are making enterprise specific apps, sooner or later you come across a basic and intentional iOS limitation that makes you hit your head against the wall.

czhiddy 14y ago
Yup, no more public transport info. Until Google releases their iOS Maps app (assuming they do), the best solution seems to be loading up maps.google.com in Safari instead.
- jorts 14y ago
  I believe it is pending approval.
m_ke 14y ago
I was planning on buying the new iphone but after upgrading my iPhone 4 to iOS I'm having second thoughts. I might just go and get the S3 or wait for Note2 to come out.
- psylence519 14y ago
  What was it running before iOS?
  - m_ke 14y ago
    good catch, I missed the 6
pkulak 14y ago
Aren't there 100 transit apps for Manhatten? Are they not as good as Google's?
- rudiger 14y ago
  Can you name one transit app for New York City that's 1) free and 2) nearly as good or better than Google Maps?
  - zaidf 14y ago
    Seconded. I really like the forgiving and smart inputs of Google maps. Some of the apps take me much longer to input where I need to go while google maps knows exactly what I mean in vast majority of cases.
  - pkulak 14y ago
    No. That's why I asked the question.
hedgehog 14y ago
I think Apple's position for iOS 6 is that they want third party developers to build the transit apps for wherever there's a need rather than trying to build in-house centrally managed support for the entire world. The new maps app will actually find an appropriate transit app for the requested destination installed or in the app store to hand you off to. For example here's one for NYC: http://thetransitapp.com http://thetransitapp.com What this means is that for the next month or two coverage is going to be poor but getting towards mid next year they'll probably have better transit capability than Google. For example what I'd like to see is support for routing in my area using the real-time arrival data (our buses are frequently late), correct fare calculations, and balance info for my transit card. Google is unlikely to do any of this stuff but now someone who cares can go solve it. I think Apple pretty much botched the launch but in the not very long term it'll work out fine. Myself? I'm holding off upgrading until a point release :)
bas 14y ago
I also live in Manhattan. The new Maps app integrates pretty well with Embark NYC (free), and possibly other transit apps that repackage the MTA's info. Embark's website: http://letsembark.com/ http://letsembark.com/ App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app//id450991137?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app//id450991137?mt=8
- zaidf 14y ago
  I'll give it a shot but from a user's perspective, I took for granted the ease with which I could find directions from one app using various modes(walk/drive/public transport). Changing a basic habit for no good reason is hard--if anyone, Apple should know.
  - pooriaazimi 14y ago
    You still use one app (Maps.app), and it gives you directions inside the app when you use drive/walk mode, but it takes you to the 3rd party app when you select public transport. So you don't have to open this app ever. (Just wanted to clear that put in case you didn't know)
pmb 14y ago
Yes. Hopstop is free but has ads.

by zaidf 14y ago

czhiddy 14y ago

Yup, no more public transport info. Until Google releases their iOS Maps app (assuming they do), the best solution seems to be loading up maps.google.com in Safari instead.

jorts 14y ago
I believe it is pending approval.

m_ke 14y ago

I was planning on buying the new iphone but after upgrading my iPhone 4 to iOS I'm having second thoughts. I might just go and get the S3 or wait for Note2 to come out.

psylence519 14y ago
What was it running before iOS?
- m_ke 14y ago
  good catch, I missed the 6

pkulak 14y ago

Aren't there 100 transit apps for Manhatten? Are they not as good as Google's?

rudiger 14y ago
Can you name one transit app for New York City that's 1) free and 2) nearly as good or better than Google Maps?
- zaidf 14y ago
  Seconded. I really like the forgiving and smart inputs of Google maps. Some of the apps take me much longer to input where I need to go while google maps knows exactly what I mean in vast majority of cases.
- pkulak 14y ago
  No. That's why I asked the question.

hedgehog 14y ago

I think Apple's position for iOS 6 is that they want third party developers to build the transit apps for wherever there's a need rather than trying to build in-house centrally managed support for the entire world. The new maps app will actually find an appropriate transit app for the requested destination installed or in the app store to hand you off to. For example here's one for NYC: http://thetransitapp.com http://thetransitapp.com What this means is that for the next month or two coverage is going to be poor but getting towards mid next year they'll probably have better transit capability than Google. For example what I'd like to see is support for routing in my area using the real-time arrival data (our buses are frequently late), correct fare calculations, and balance info for my transit card. Google is unlikely to do any of this stuff but now someone who cares can go solve it. I think Apple pretty much botched the launch but in the not very long term it'll work out fine. Myself? I'm holding off upgrading until a point release :)

bas 14y ago

I also live in Manhattan. The new Maps app integrates pretty well with Embark NYC (free), and possibly other transit apps that repackage the MTA's info. Embark's website: http://letsembark.com/ http://letsembark.com/ App Store link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app//id450991137?mt=8 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app//id450991137?mt=8

zaidf 14y ago
I'll give it a shot but from a user's perspective, I took for granted the ease with which I could find directions from one app using various modes(walk/drive/public transport). Changing a basic habit for no good reason is hard--if anyone, Apple should know.
- pooriaazimi 14y ago
  You still use one app (Maps.app), and it gives you directions inside the app when you use drive/walk mode, but it takes you to the 3rd party app when you select public transport. So you don't have to open this app ever. (Just wanted to clear that put in case you didn't know)

pmb 14y ago

Yes. Hopstop is free but has ads.