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If that's true, the decision to remove the stagnant Google powered Maps was the best decision. Now, if Google releases a mapping app, it will have to include tu

If that's true, the decision to remove the stagnant Google powered Maps was the best decision. Now, if Google releases a mapping app, it will have to include turn-by-turn navigation and better overall experience.

joenathan 14y ago
But since it can never be set as the default mapping app it will always be a sub-par experience. What happens when you open your contacts and want to map your contacts address? Or when you are using any other app and want to map an included address?
- joshschreuder 14y ago
  I know this always comes up, but jailbreak your phone! It lets you set different defaults and do so much more (not piracy!) that I couldn't possibly mention it all.
- guelo 14y ago
  Once the users that have been clamoring for Google Maps realize this problem there will probably be some pressure on Apple to come out with customizable defaults for something like Maps. I kind of doubt they would ever copy a fully flexible system like Android's Intents, but I could see them allowing some limited choices for a few tasks. Though probably not for mapping since they seem to think that is strategic for them.
- hcarvalhoalves 14y ago
  Twitter and Facebook where 3rd party apps once. Now they have hooks to integrate into the system (for the "share" buttons). There's no reason this can't be done with maps too.
chrismsnz 14y ago
AFAIK it was Apple that held back features from Google Maps. The previous Maps app was written by them (using Google's data).
- gareim 14y ago
  The speculation by many is that Google didn't allow Apple to have certain features. Why else would Apple rush their maps app out if it wasn't because they needed to? Why would they willingly let one of the biggest apps on the phone stagnate?
  - duskwuff 14y ago
    > The speculation by many is that Google didn't allow Apple to have certain features. Or that Google would have required Apple to make unacceptable concessions in order to get access to newer features. My personal guess (no strong basis, just a gut feeling) is that Google would have required Apple to include location-based ads in the updated Maps, as well as integrating with other Google location-based services (e.g, Latitude), even where that conflicted with Apple services (e.g, Find My Friends [1]). [1]: https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-friends.html https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-friends.html
    - kunaalarya 14y ago
      I remember reading that Google wanted more Google branding. The way Apple wanted to go was make it an Apple product supported by Google. Google wanted it to be a Google product integrated into Apple. Apple wasn't having it and took this route.
  - timfrietas 14y ago
    Android holy war is the popular theory.
  - guelo 14y ago
    There was some talk about it having to do with the valuable location data that Apple didn't want Google to collect, or maybe it was the other way around.

joenathan 14y ago

But since it can never be set as the default mapping app it will always be a sub-par experience. What happens when you open your contacts and want to map your contacts address? Or when you are using any other app and want to map an included address?

joshschreuder 14y ago
I know this always comes up, but jailbreak your phone! It lets you set different defaults and do so much more (not piracy!) that I couldn't possibly mention it all.
guelo 14y ago
Once the users that have been clamoring for Google Maps realize this problem there will probably be some pressure on Apple to come out with customizable defaults for something like Maps. I kind of doubt they would ever copy a fully flexible system like Android's Intents, but I could see them allowing some limited choices for a few tasks. Though probably not for mapping since they seem to think that is strategic for them.
hcarvalhoalves 14y ago
Twitter and Facebook where 3rd party apps once. Now they have hooks to integrate into the system (for the "share" buttons). There's no reason this can't be done with maps too.

chrismsnz 14y ago

AFAIK it was Apple that held back features from Google Maps. The previous Maps app was written by them (using Google's data).

gareim 14y ago
The speculation by many is that Google didn't allow Apple to have certain features. Why else would Apple rush their maps app out if it wasn't because they needed to? Why would they willingly let one of the biggest apps on the phone stagnate?
- duskwuff 14y ago
  > The speculation by many is that Google didn't allow Apple to have certain features. Or that Google would have required Apple to make unacceptable concessions in order to get access to newer features. My personal guess (no strong basis, just a gut feeling) is that Google would have required Apple to include location-based ads in the updated Maps, as well as integrating with other Google location-based services (e.g, Latitude), even where that conflicted with Apple services (e.g, Find My Friends [1]). [1]: https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-friends.html https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-friends.html
  - kunaalarya 14y ago
    I remember reading that Google wanted more Google branding. The way Apple wanted to go was make it an Apple product supported by Google. Google wanted it to be a Google product integrated into Apple. Apple wasn't having it and took this route.
- timfrietas 14y ago
  Android holy war is the popular theory.
- guelo 14y ago
  There was some talk about it having to do with the valuable location data that Apple didn't want Google to collect, or maybe it was the other way around.