5 ms·

I feel bad for the Apple maps team - trying to catch up to a fast moving target.

by NoPiece 13y ago

gojomo 13y ago
...and Apple Maps is trapped on only one platform (iOS - not even a web gateway), so only receiving a relative trickle of usage-based feedback... and Apple Maps perhaps only ever existed as a leverage chip against Google. Apple Maps might need to ally with other Google rivals to get the mindshare/critical-mass needed to have any competitive chance.
- OGinparadise 13y ago
  Good point, maybe Apple will let users embed them in web pages and wave any fees for x years. Google and Bing charge after a certain number of free API requests so Apple should offer it for free for a while. It's not like they are hurting for cash ;)
- youngerdryas 13y ago
  I'm glad Apple has their own maps, the first time I did a search and two pins were dropped, one an ad, was the last time I used Google maps.
- coob 13y ago
  Like Yelp… which they already do.
threeseed 13y ago
See this is what people don't get. Apple isn't trying to complete with Google Maps. They are just trying to get a 95% default solution to prevent Google from using its leverage to make changes to the OS e.g. sending more user information to Google. And by all accounts they have achieved this.
joonix 13y ago
If they cared why wouldn't they buy Waze?
- nhangen 13y ago
  Because Waze isn't really that good either.
  - yen223 13y ago
    Waze actually really is that good. Its real-time traffic information easily beats Google Maps'.
    - timjahn 13y ago
      Isn't that information dependent on the number of users in a given area? So if very few people in a metropolitan area use Waze, the information would suck?
      - yen223 13y ago
        I would think so. It uses some kind of peer-to-peer system to divine traffic information I believe. That said, it works really well where I live, and I don't live anywhere near a major tech hub.
    - nhangen 13y ago
      I don't like it at all. It has a cartoonish interface and eats my battery alive. I don't need real-time traffic information while I'm driving, I get that by looking out the windshield. Granted, I'm sure that interface can evolve, but the fact of the matter is that Waze's technology is not defensible.
      - yen223 13y ago
        We'll have to agree to disagree. Waze can tell you if there's an accident along your route, and point out where it is, and it is pretty accurate most of the time. That feature alone has saved me countless hours. As far as battery usage goes, it's no worse than Google Maps. I'm not a huge fan of the interface, or the gamification aspect, but the data is just that good.
  - 13y ago

I feel bad for the Apple maps team - trying to catch up to a fast moving target.

by NoPiece 13y ago

I feel bad for the Apple maps team - trying to catch up to a fast moving target.

...and Apple Maps is trapped on only one platform (iOS - not even a web gateway), so only receiving a relative trickle of usage-based feedback... and Apple Maps perhaps only ever existed as a leverage chip against Google. Apple Maps might need to ally with other Google rivals to get the mindshare/critical-mass needed to have any competitive chance.

OGinparadise 13y ago
Good point, maybe Apple will let users embed them in web pages and wave any fees for x years. Google and Bing charge after a certain number of free API requests so Apple should offer it for free for a while. It's not like they are hurting for cash ;)
youngerdryas 13y ago
I'm glad Apple has their own maps, the first time I did a search and two pins were dropped, one an ad, was the last time I used Google maps.
coob 13y ago
Like Yelp… which they already do.

threeseed 13y ago

See this is what people don't get. Apple isn't trying to complete with Google Maps. They are just trying to get a 95% default solution to prevent Google from using its leverage to make changes to the OS e.g. sending more user information to Google. And by all accounts they have achieved this.

joonix 13y ago

If they cared why wouldn't they buy Waze?

nhangen 13y ago
Because Waze isn't really that good either.
- yen223 13y ago
  Waze actually really is that good. Its real-time traffic information easily beats Google Maps'.
  - timjahn 13y ago
    Isn't that information dependent on the number of users in a given area? So if very few people in a metropolitan area use Waze, the information would suck?
    - yen223 13y ago
      I would think so. It uses some kind of peer-to-peer system to divine traffic information I believe. That said, it works really well where I live, and I don't live anywhere near a major tech hub.
  - nhangen 13y ago
    I don't like it at all. It has a cartoonish interface and eats my battery alive. I don't need real-time traffic information while I'm driving, I get that by looking out the windshield. Granted, I'm sure that interface can evolve, but the fact of the matter is that Waze's technology is not defensible.
    - yen223 13y ago
      We'll have to agree to disagree. Waze can tell you if there's an accident along your route, and point out where it is, and it is pretty accurate most of the time. That feature alone has saved me countless hours. As far as battery usage goes, it's no worse than Google Maps. I'm not a huge fan of the interface, or the gamification aspect, but the data is just that good.
- 13y ago