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Apple maps: how Google lost when everyone thought it had won

137 points by r0h1n 13y ago

interpol_p 13y ago
I'm probably in the minority here, but I really like the Maps desktop app in OS X Mavericks too. The headline is a little dramatic. I don't know if Google "lost", surely they predicted this sort of situation when they chose not to renew their licensing deal with Apple.
- aroch 13y ago
  Sometimes when I need a quick break at work, I'll pull up a fly-over in the Maps app and wander through a city. It is relaxing and pretty nifty.
chollida1 13y ago
Apple maps is still a poor competitor to Google Maps. Yesterday I went to the beer store( that is what it's called in Ontario). Being at a new house I used apple maps on my phone. The first 3 results it showed had no beer store there. I finally found it using google maps.
- drpgq 13y ago
  I've had problems with Apple maps in Ontario too. I'm wondering if the performance versus Google Maps in Canada is different than the US.
  - pyre 13y ago
    I'll bet that Apple Maps performs competitively around 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA (or in the Bay and Valley areas generally), but it's not like Apple has the equivalent of the Google Maps SUVs driving all around.
    - fpgeek 13y ago
      Why not? Apple can certainly afford to, and if they're serious about maps...
      - pyre 13y ago
        I never said that they couldn't afford to. I just said that they didn't. If Apple was serious about maps, then they wouldn't have partnered with Google in the first place. If it wasn't for Android, I'm sure that they would still be partnered with Google. Apple doing their own maps is just something that they need to complete the platform, not something they plan to put serious weight behind.
  - deong 13y ago
    I'm in Iceland, and Apple Maps just punts here. It can't find anything at all, and about 50% of the time, it doesn't even try. You just get a UIAlertView that says "No Results Found". I did a comparison of about 30 sample lookups when it was brand new, and Google correctly responded to about 27 of them; Apple got two. I repeated the test about six months ago, and the only thing that had changed was that Google got one more right.
- jfoutz 13y ago
  And that's the beauty of comscore's metric. Spend 10 minutes dicking around with Apple maps, then 30 seconds in Google maps to find what you are looking for. Apple comes out way ahead, because their app is more engaging.
  - rm999 13y ago
    Your scenario isn't supported by ComScore's results, they state that the vast majority of iphone users aren't using google maps at all. From the article: >ComScore's data suggests though that comparatively few iPhone owners actually take the trouble to use Google's maps
    - jfoutz 13y ago
      ComScore's data is great for advertisers, it gives user counts and time spent in the app. It's pretty much worthless for determining how effective the app is at finding locations. My hyperbolic statement can't be justified by the data provided. Perhaps apple users spend their time looking up hundreds of locations and google users are only able to find one. There's an obvious selection bias, and i don't know what the effect is. I'd claim smartphone users aren't all that different, they just want to look stuff up, and they'd look it up at comparable rates. If that's true, it takes apple maps users longer to find stuff.
- demallien 13y ago
  I'm guessing that many Apple Maps users don't use Maps in that way, but more for finding a specific address. Personally, on my iPhone if I want to find a business I do it through Yelp, which comes with the added bonus of being integrated with Siri. You can ask for an itinerary from there and it shows it in Maps, it's all very easy as a workflow. For example, living in Paris, if I want to go to the CNIT (a shopping centre located at La Defense), Apple Maps itself refuses to give me the address. But if I ask the Yelp app, it points me straight to it, and from there I click on a link and I have my itinerary in Maps. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the remaining flaws in Apple Maps are so easy to route around now that they just aren't much of an issue.
  - potatolicious 13y ago
    I look up specific addresses via Apple Maps, it still sucks. Hell, let's try this right now. I'm sitting at work in Brooklyn. I just typed in "20 Jay St", the address of my building. Apple Maps has my location, this should be a piece of CAKE. ... And now I'm at "20 Main Tavern" near Plattsburg, NY, by the Canadian border. I also just searched for my home address, which is a 5 minute subway ride away in Manhattan. I ended up at "3rd St & Baker Springs Rd" in Wickes, AK. Or searching for "161 Canal" takes me to "161 Canal Lane" in Jackson, NJ, as opposed to the much more obvious "161 Canal Street" in Manhattan. Apple Maps is full of nonsense, either searching via POI or via address, or via intersection. It's practically useless. At this point I'm pretty sure I need to memorize Lat/Long just to use this thing, or be absurdly specific every time I use it. "Empire State Building, the one in Manahttan, if you please"
    - lemma 13y ago
      Could be worse, I just typed a full home address in Miami and got a result in Australia...
    - rzt 13y ago
      The funny thing is, is that when you use Siri, Apple Maps seems to be more accurate. I can say, "Directions from home to 123 Main Street, Hometown" and the directions will be perfect. If I type that same query out, I get "Directions Not Found." I don't get it.
- eknkc 13y ago
  I always use Foursquare to find places and tap "Get Directions" to open up the location in Apple Maps. Pretty happy with this. Apple Maps can not find shit in my hometown by itself but it's pretty fine with strict addresses and navigation.
arkinus 13y ago
I think that strategically, Apple would always have wanted its own Maps app. As the article states, it's a hugely valuable source of road traffic and other geo-related data. The split was inevitable, and while Google may have accelerated the split, I don't think it's really a mistake on their part.
ancarda 13y ago
I've been using Apple Maps since it was first released in iOS 6. I've reported countless problems but only 1 was ever fixed. Unlike with Google Maps, it seems there's no way for a business to register itself or otherwise contribute info. As such, Google Maps often has more information. Apple Maps is, generally in my area, out of date and missing businesses and schools and unfortunately I don't see it getting better.
- uptown 13y ago
  I don't disagree that there's plenty that remains to be fixed on Apple maps in terms of location-data and business info for those locations. On the flip side, I've been waiting for Google to update the business hours for a business I work with for over two months despite submitting multiple requests for the correction. As far as Google is concerned, they're closed on Sundays.
  - wozniacki 13y ago
    This verges on nitpicking. I have lost score on how many times Yelp has glaringly gotten business hours wrong, for hot restaurants in major neighborhoods. This from a website whose whole purpose is to help customers find businesses. Frankly, business hours are a some what tricky problem as it is purely up to the whim and fancy of the establishment, when it wants to stay open or when it wants to have reduced hours or when it wants to be closed for business. I wish businesses and restaurants were required to maintain minimum standards of serviceability in this and many other regards.
- jws 13y ago
  I find both Apple and Google unresponsive to user corrections. Since iOS released maps it has shown a hospital near me that has long been closed, demolished, and rebuilt as a retirement community. The hospital itself moved about 10 miles west to a different community, yet there it is on the map in all its pink glory. In the course of a "google maps doesn't have these problems" discussion I pulled up Google maps, and lo and behold, it has the same problem. Fast forward to the present and they both still show this long dead hospital despite me taking the time to send in corrections from time to time. For a long time the new location was trivially verifiable by following the map's own web link. Now that URL is dead, so it would require a quick search and a tiny bit of thought. I hope no one relies on that information in an emergency to get someone to a hospital.
deleted 13y ago
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archgrove 13y ago
Apple maps has reached "good enough" for a large number of use cases. It's now "good enough" to use as a satellite navigation system for a car, "good enough" to give me walking directions to nearby major sites/roads, and "good enough" as a "I'm sure I'm nearly at X, where the heck is it?" recovery tool. It still has a pretty useless database of locations. The listings for many shops/venues in my area are literally years (sometimes decades) out of date, even after I reported them back when iOS 6 was a beta. This is slowly improving, seemingly starting with locations that are commonly visited, but it's still not there. However, given that most of my use cases are "Enter post (ZIP) code, go there", this doesn't really matter. 90% of the time, Apple maps works fine, and there's no reason to use something else, especially when it's ad-laden. Given that maps are not a core concern for Apple, I've always been surprised they've not just thrown money at improving open street maps. A few hundred million to setup an "OSM foundation" (or fund an existing one) could seriously help them (decent free mapping database to use), and hurt Google (major commercial advantage limited/eliminated). They could probably get MS onboard as well.
- ZeroGravitas 13y ago
  MS does help OSM quite a bit, primarily by providing access to Bing satellite images which can be used to trace over to create OSM data. They also hired the guy who started OSM for a while (though he left recently to go to Telenav) And the OSM foundation does already exist: http://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Main_Page http://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Main_Page
- deleted 13y ago
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- Touche 13y ago
  > 90% of the time, Apple maps works fine, and there's no reason to use something else, especially when it's ad-laden. Which maps are you talking about?
  - tedunangst 13y ago
    Google Maps on iOS. I wouldn't call it ad-laden, but it does have a habit of popping up a sponsored result precisely when I'm least interested in it.
ZeroGravitas 13y ago
I wonder if the drop in iOS users using maps, and the increase in Android users using maps might have something to do with the quality of the maps that iOS forces on you as a non-replaceable default? You might assume that some people (say, traveling salespeople) consider that one of the primary features of their phone and would happily switch if the usability/data/integration was better.
ape4 13y ago
People are lazy - the default always wins.
- uptown 13y ago
  Frequently ... but not always. See: Google Chrome as a desktop browser.
  - aroch 13y ago
    I feel as if half of Chrome "winning" is Google shoving it down everyone's throat across all their properties. Google.com: Internet feeling slow, use Chrome! CHROME! GET CHROME! CHROME MAKES YOUR DIALUP FEEL LIKE FIBER!!!!!!! Youtube: Video taking a long time to buffer, use Chrome! Gmail: Want to use any of the value-added options (chat, video, etc), better use Chrome!
    - nl 13y ago
      Shows what a massive effort it is to overcome a default setting.
  - lcnmrn 13y ago
    Google Chrome has a better user experience. If only Safari team can figure a way to depart from OS X integration and build something completely unique just like iTunes is.
  - xutopia 13y ago
    With Mavericks I see a lot of people around me going to Safari from Chrome. The main reason... battery life when on the plane. The few hours a week they need to use Safari and the fact they don't want to have to use more than one browser means it is now their default.
  - riquito 13y ago
    What are you talking about? Worldwide Chrome, on desktop, has less market share than Explorer (which has about 60%) and firefox (which has always been a couple points over chrome). It gained a lot of share, without doubt, but it's far from being the winner. Edit: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/internet-explorer-continues-to-grow-and-mavericks-already-on-11-percent-of-macs/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/intern...
Shinkei 13y ago
Headline is quite misleading. For one thing, it's only looking at numbers in the US. On a cursory search, I can't find numbers but I suspect that Google maps is available in more countries and used by more people worldwide than Apple maps. Not to mention, the article assumes Apple wouldn't have attempted to develop its own app even if Google met all its needs. As we've seen previously, Apple's strategy has always been about controlling the user experience. IMHO, there's no way that Apple would've allowed Google maps to dominate its iOS users for much longer... regardless of this issue of navigation, etc. It would've just been something else as an excuse to move their users to their own platform.
- interpol_p 13y ago
  I think Apple would have been okay with it if Google was willing to simply remain a maps data provider. Google wanted more significant branding (which is fair enough), anything that takes control of the appearance out of Apple's hands is likely to be a deal-breaker.
  - dijit 13y ago
    really? I didn't think it was a branding thing at all, the way I understand it is that you have to pay royalties for every request and access to area's of the world. an example of this not working is that; when Siri first launched it was unable to process requests for map lookups, or questions about local businesses (out of the US) because it would use google, and apple wouldn't pay for the expanded regions. this is all in my head from a conversation years ago and might be wrong, but I'd be interested to know if anyone else had information.
    - interpol_p 13y ago
      There was a WSJ article from quite some time ago that went into a lot of detail about this (quoting sources from both sides). Some of the relevant paragraphs: > The two sides bickered over a Google Maps feature called Street View, which lets people see an actual photo as if they are standing in the street. Apple wanted to incorporate Street View on the iPhone just as Google already offered it for Android phones. Google initially withheld the feature, frustrating Apple executives, according to people on both sides of the debate. > Apple executives also wanted to include Google's turn-by-turn-navigation service in the iPhone—a feature popular with Android users because it lets people treat their phones as in-car GPS devices. Google wouldn't allow it, according to people on both sides. One of these people said Google viewed Apple's terms as unfair. > Google executives, meantime, also bristled at Apple's refusal to add features that would help Google. For instance, Google wanted to emphasize its brand name more prominently within the maps app. It also wanted Apple to enable its service designed to find friends nearby, dubbed Latitude, which Apple refrained from doing, said people on both sides. Source: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304543904577398502695522974 http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000142405270230454390...
smackfu 13y ago
Seems like that article should include the word "Waze" somewhere in it. I know a lot of iOS users who swear by it, because it has much better live traffic data, and Google purchased it earlier this year.
otikik 13y ago
Android.
Kurtz79 13y ago
It's called the "Internet Explorer" effect. I'm not saying Apple Maps is as a bad product, but I think the basic reason for its adoption is the same,as the article mentions. It's good enough for most people, and it's the default on the platform.
- josefresco 13y ago
  It's more like the latter day IE effect, as the first one involved giving away something for free (IE) that was previously available only for sale (Netscape).
  - kalleboo 13y ago
    Did anyone ever buy Netscape? Everyone I knew got it from their ISP or downloaded the "educational" version.
venomsnake 13y ago
If apple maps have ruler and scale displayed, they are head and shoulders above the current incarnation of Android Google Maps. Which I found out two days ago give you absolutely no way of measuring a distance, even a rough guestimation.
- kalleboo 13y ago
  Last time I used Google Maps on Android, the scale was an option you turned on in "Labs" in the menu. Is that no longer possible?
  - venomsnake 13y ago
    I was talking about the application - there is no Labs - just checked. So no ruler. Also the scale shows for just a second while zooming and then disappear.
    - kalleboo 13y ago
      Looks like the removed it in Maps 7.0 a couple months ago http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/12/whats-really-new-in-google-maps-for-android-7-0-a-lot-heres-our-massive-unofficial-changelog/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/12/whats-really-new-in-... I haven't used Android since then which explains my confusion
Grue3 13y ago
If this doesn't prove that Apple users will lap up whatever half-baked stuff Apple puts out, then nothing else does.
speg 13y ago
I don't know if it's just me, but Maps.app always seems to give me turning instruction just a bit too late. Google Maps seems to give them 4 or 5 seconds earlier, giving me enough time to change lanes or otherwise prepare for the turn.
w1ntermute 13y ago
This has everything to do with it being impossible to change the default maps app in iOS and nothing to do with the quality of Apple's maps (which is still very low in comparison to Google's). When you search for directions using Siri, it'll take you to Apple Maps. When you click on an address in another app, the same. This is the same reason why Chrome won't be able to cement itself on iOS. If it weren't for iOS's minuscule market share, this would be justification for a major DoJ crackdown. They took MS to court just for setting a default browser - imagine what it would be like for Apple, which doesn't even let you change it.
- wmeredith 13y ago
  The ability to set up contracts between apps at the OS level is my biggest feature wish list item for iOS. The jump in usefulness of the device would be similar to when Apple opened the App store after initially launching with web-apps only.
  - w1ntermute 13y ago
    I can't see this ever happening. Apple's whole shtick is that they make decisions for the user. Moreover, I don't think that average iOS users actually care. Most of them didn't even realize that Google Maps was replaced by an Apple equivalent. And when Apple Maps doesn't work correctly, they just accept that that's how things are - that's the sort of mentality that Apple cultivates in its users.
    - deleted 13y ago
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    - rjohnk 13y ago
      No, it isn't a function of Apple cultivating tech ignorance. Apple, Microsoft, and Google make user decisions all the time. It's that most people don't care. They buy a tech product and go about their day. That's the point of consumer technology - make it out of the box ready because most people don't think like us. Maps or Browser or whatever. Joe User : "Huh, that's different" If it still works they go about their day. Average Hacker News User: "Dammit, they moved the border padding 1 pixel to the left and the anti-aliasing on the font looks different when I look at it with a magnifying glass at 2 inches from my eyeball. I have to complain on my tech blogs right away about this travesty!"
dustinupdyke 13y ago
A bit off-topic, but the newest Google maps on the desktop is terrible; a massive step backwards in usability imho. I suppose they were trying to simplify, but now I can't figure out how to send someone a pin, how to click on a pin, how to find things around a pin, etc. I gave up and switched to Bing. First for maps, but then for everything, and it doesn't seem like I gave anything up; I guess wasn't as married to a search/map engine as I had previously thought. I agree with other comments here, that on the phone, Apple maps is certainly "good enough".
- eeeeeeeeeeeee 13y ago
  I haven't switched to Bing, yet, but I agree that the new Google Maps is a step backwards. It appears that in an effort to simplify or streamline the interface they've succeeded in making it harder to use.
- TillE 13y ago
  The problem with the new Google Maps is that the interface is quite literally all over the place. Top-left, bottom-left, bottom-right, who the hell knows where anything is. How do you view transit lines? It took me months to figure out that you could hover over the search box and click the blue Transit link. This is a hugely important feature to me, and it's hidden. Just in the past few days they did finally add back the little orange peg-man as a Street View interface, which is a big improvement.
  - jonknee 13y ago
    > How do you view transit lines? It took me months to figure out that you could hover over the search box and click the blue Transit link. This is a hugely important feature to me, and it's hidden. To be fair the search box is expanded by default so the transit link is on the screen when you load maps. If you click the map the search box minimizes and you would have to either click it again or hover over.
- 300bps 13y ago
  I'm with you regarding Bing as well. First I switched just to separate my searches from my Gmail account through more than just Google's goodwill configuration options. Since I switched, I've gotten at least $100 in free Amazon gift cards through their Bing Rewards program. I too label their search as "good enough".
atacrawl 13y ago
My primary need in a maps app is to answer the question "how are the highways in my metro area?" Google Maps nails it and Apple Maps doesn't, it's that simple.
astral303 13y ago
Google Maps doesn't remember your recent map searches and destinations unless you're signed in and have web history turned on. WTF? Why can't you remember a few hundred bytes worth of data just on my phone? I stopped using Google Maps because of that. Apple Maps POI still sucks, but its navigation works better than Google Maps. I use Waze for when I need time-sensitive, accurate navigation.
- jonknee 13y ago
  > Apple Maps POI still sucks, but its navigation works better than Google Maps. I use Waze for when I need time-sensitive, accurate navigation. To me it's impossible that POI information is terrible and navigation work better. Apple Maps can beautifully navigate you to the wrong place, but that's useless. Accurate information is the most important information by far for mapping and navigation.
  - astral303 13y ago
    It's not at all impossible! 1) Most navigation I do is to known addresses, not results of POI searches [e.g. friend's house], 2) most POI searches come back accurate, about 2/3rds for me, and by far the prevailing mode of POI failure is Apple Maps' inability to find the destination. If the destination is found, it's usually correct. But usually I also have enough context to validate whether the result is in the right area. If it's not, then I repeat the search in Google Maps, but still often choose to navigate with Apple Maps (or Waze).
webwright 13y ago
Of course it's going to shed users if it goes from being the default app to competing with the owner of the ecosystem. No one expected Google to win any more than people expected Netscape to win when Microsoft decided to make a browser, because Microsoft can control the default. Once they allowed other browsers to usurp the default position (thanks, Justice Department!), the browser wars were back on. Unfortunately, Apple is so far from a monopoly that iPhone users will never have the ability to choose their default maps, mail, calendar, camera, phone or music app.
danso 13y ago
The headline may seem misleading because almost everyone here thinks of "winning" as winning on technical merit and superiority. But the winning is due to iOS's strategy, as ill-tasting as it is to most people here, of locking down the system defaults. From the OP: > ComScore's data suggests though that comparatively few iPhone owners actually take the trouble to use Google's maps rather than Apple's - in part because Apple's maps are the default for any driving directions or map-related search on iOS 6 and above. Obviously, Apple advocates would argue that this is a victory based on technical implementation...Apple Maps may not be the greatest, but the consistency of UI and behavior, in the long run, is better for users, so say the Apple advocates. I use both an iPad and an Android...I'll likely never go back to an iPhone because the Google implementation of things is so much better...it's not just maps, but the keyboard...it's unbelievable how much better Swiftkey is than the iPad keyboard...I can hardly type on the iPad without making typos due to autocorrect, on SwiftKey, I can barely deliberately make typos. And of course, iPhone users scoff at the idea of "having" to install a keyboard. And I'll give them some credit...the way that Android keeps asking me what I want to do with a link when I click it from an app (such as Twitter) can be annoying, because I'm the type of person who won't pick "keep this as default"...I say sincerely that it is a cognitive benefit when iOS just makes the choice for you. And I'm saying that as a technically-proficient person...for those who aren't, this lack of choice is probably an overall benefit to their happiness.
- Drexl 13y ago
  Couldn't agree more. Apple "won" because 20+M people were to lazy to find a better application or didn't know how and just kept what they were given. For the majority of iOS users that's how it works. You use what you are given and deal with it.
  - eunice 13y ago
    I installed Google Maps on the day of release & between the constant harassment re: signing in and ads... well... 'better' is definitely subjective.
jedrek 13y ago
Apple Maps is close to unusable in Warsaw, Poland, as well as other cities in Eastern Europe (Prague and Budapest come to mind). I celebrated the release of Google Maps for iOS6 and I've been a loyal user for a while. Every time I'm tossed into Apple Maps when it's embedded in an application, I'm confirmed in my judgement. Maybe it's a language issue? Bing Maps was thrust upon Facebook users when they had their falling out with Google a few years back. It made hot-linked addresses completely unusable for 2-3 years afterwards.
- hannibalhorn 13y ago
  Apple Maps is equally unusable where I'm at (Colombia,) and Google's aren't perfect but are pretty good and getting better. I've even seen a few of their vehicles about. The weird bit is that the Google Maps iOS app isn't available in the country specific app store, so it's pretty difficult for the average person to obtain.
jccc 13y ago
Google [...] was kicked off the iPhone after it refused to give Apple access to its voice-driven turn-by-turn map navigation [...] Er ... was that how it happened? http://allthingsd.com/20120926/apple-google-maps-talks-crashed-over-voice-guided-directions/ http://allthingsd.com/20120926/apple-google-maps-talks-crash... [Google] asked for in-app branding. Apple declined. It suggested adding Google Latitude [giving up the location data of Apple's users]. Again, Apple declined. [...] having chosen Google as its original mapping partner, the iPhone maker was now in a position where an archrival was calling the shots on functionality important to the iOS maps feature set. Everything they make says "Designed by Apple in California," not "Designed by Apple and a hundred other companies." Agree or disagree with the strategy, that is the reason they did their own maps.
- bnegreve 13y ago
  > Everything they make says "Designed by Apple in California," not "Designed by Apple and a hundred other companies." Agree or disagree with the strategy, that is the reason they did their own maps. What do you mean? The App Store is filled with apps designed by hundreds of other companies. Why is it different for maps?
DIVx0 13y ago
I still 'make the effort' to use google maps even though it would be easier to just use apple maps since like the article states, it's automatic and easy. I do give apple maps a try, even recently, however _every_ time I use apple maps it gives me directions I know are inferior or it will put me near my destination but in an incredibly inconvenient spot. For example: The other week I wanted to find a way to a train station, I used Siri and let it open up and plan via apple maps. It 'found' my destination and placed the map marker at the nearest possible spot (the map did not have the station lot or it's connecting road). The problem was that the closest spot was on the other side of the tracks with no way to cross except take a multi-mile detour. Just the other day I had to make the same trip, this time I used google maps and not only did have the whole station complex on the map it correctly routed me to it. I simply cannot trust apple maps. It may be easier to use via siri or safari links but if it wastes my time by giving me crap information than it really is not helping. A few seconds of copy and pasting addresses into google maps app or using it's built in search is well worth not having to worry about taking a forced apple detour.
awjr 13y ago
Locally we sometimes "go crwazy" and use Apple Maps to see how good the directions are to get to a named place. Sometimes it works but mostly we revert to a garmin or google maps :( (Live in Somerset, UK)
badusername 13y ago
I suspect that some of the negative sentiment here on Apple Maps is because of the strong entrenchment in Google Maps and its ways, before Apple was around in that game. I actually happen to love Apple Maps, so much so that I've started to use the Mavericks app as well. It's definitely more visually nuanced and aesthetically pleasing. For where I live at (SF Bay Area), I've never experienced any major problems with routing or data - public transit is not my default use. The tight integration with Yelp adds to the comfort and familiarity as well.
- deong 13y ago
  > For where I live at (SF Bay Area), I've never experienced any major problems with routing or data I think Bob's Discount Maps, Bait, and Tackle probably works fine in San Francisco. Outside the Bay Area, it's bad. Outside the US, you'd be better off with paper maps than Apple Maps -- they'll burn better when you're lost.
- indy 13y ago
  It would be highly surprising if either of the mapping solutions had inaccurate data for the SF Bay Area.
Segmentation 13y ago
If iOS ever completely dominates marketshare (probably unlikely since I think Android still outsells it globally), I would expect antitrust lawsuits to occur for Apple regarding iOS default programs. Much like Microsoft in the past.
egypturnash 13y ago
I'll start using Apple Maps when it can do transit directions. I live in the city; I don't need a car. Or know how to drive for that matter.
psychometry 13y ago
Apple might have worse maps, but they're much better an UI/UX than Google. Want to save a bookmark to your friend's apartment in Google Maps like you used to be able to do? Good luck with that. Google has decided that locations can only be "starred" and not associated with a name. Turn-by-turn navigation is also much better with Apple Maps. Upcoming turns are announced more often and at more convenient intervals. I hardly ever miss a turn when using Apple Maps, but I certainly cannot say the same for Google.
deleted 13y ago
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davidedicillo 13y ago
While everyone bashes the quality of the data in Apple's map app, what really makes it win for me is the perfect integration with everything else. I have to use Google Maps when I bike because it gives me biking direction, but since it's not fully integrated in the OS, often it doesn't give me the step by step directions unless I'm in the app or if the phone goes black.
rcthompson 13y ago
It sounds like Google Maps lost because Apple kicked them off iOS, not because Apple Maps is a viabl competitor.
- rjd 13y ago
  And the fact Google Maps interface is awful and Apple maps has more useful contextual data. Personally I used both Google Maps and Apple Maps to around navigate Australia in a mobile home recently. At times both maps where useless, but generally Google Maps was just awful. Its been stated in this thread that Apple Maps is good enough, but the flip side is, in rural Australia at least, Google Maps just isn't good enough.
EGreg 13y ago
Google won in so many ways these past few years, but one of the biggest wins over Apple was ironically... in the interface. Google introduced the flat interface in its website and pioneered it in Chrome. (Yes, IE had long ago been flat but it was ugly.) It even made the icon completely flat. Android had simple, flat designs. Apple had nice skeumorphism. Then surprisingly both Microsof and Apple followed Google's design aesthetic! Except Google does it better. Take Apple for example ... I thought I'd never see the day when I'd aay Google's app interfaces are more consistent and beautiful than Apple's. But it's true. They have buttons that look beautiful when pressed, due to 3D hints. All their apps have the same consistent aesthetic. Since iOS7, the aame cannot be said of Apple's apps. It makes Google's suite of apps a pleasure to use. And speaking of the suite side of Google, look at it: Maps YouTube Analytics These first two alone are the go to solutions for anyone who needs that stuff. Want to show maps? Use Google (maybe bing). Want to embed video or link to one? YouTube! (would you use vimeo on mobile?) In short... Google is an indispensable part of everyone's mobile phone and can charge for its large integrations.
wnevets 13y ago
Apple forcing users to use their map (or any) software is exactly why Google needed to give the android OS away for free. Google would of been screwed on mobile if they didnt push so hard with android.
georgemcbay 13y ago
As an Android Google Maps user, the bigger issue for me is how terrible Google Maps 7.x.x is compared to 6.x.x. I've got my Nexus 4 set up to remain on 6.x.x indefinitely and fear of reverting Maps to 6.x.x on KitKat being a PITA is the reason I'm not planning on buying a Nexus 5 or any newer Android phone for the foreseeable future. They are very slowly undoing some of the damage that the incredibly misguided earlier 7.x.x releases caused, but 6.x.x is still, by far, the superior app for now.
matthuggins 13y ago
I have an Android, and my wife has an iPhone. Recently, my phone was dead, and my wife had to pull up directions for me on Apple Maps. For most of the ride, I had a very tough time with Apple Maps. The biggest 3 problems for me with Apple Maps were that: 1) the map was zoomed in too far so I couldn't tell what turns were coming up; 2) as far as I could tell, there was no textual representation of how far I needed to go on the current road or which direction my next turn would be; 3) dragging the map is not a "thing" in Apple Maps. I like to be able to drag the map to look ahead at the route, and Apple just doesn't let you do that. You can only pivot around your current GPS position, and since you're already zoomed in too far, it doesn't help at all. Apple may have "won" in the sense that they have claimed a lot of usage share, but from the perspective of a satisfied Google Maps user, I certainly feel like the end user has lost.
- GrantS 13y ago
  I have no idea how things are in iOS 7, but in the original version of maps that shipped with iOS 6, you press the "Overview" button at top right to be able to zoom around the whole map and the 3-lines symbol at bottom left to see the complete textual list of turn-by-turn directions. Have those options been removed?
  - onedognight 13y ago
    Overview is in iOS7 and is exactly what the GP wants. Click the screen anywhere, then press Overview.
    - matthuggins 13y ago
      Ahh, thanks. Not as intuitive as just pinching/dragging, that's for sure!
auctiontheory 13y ago
Opening Google Maps from Siri is tricky, and then the app crashes - often. You don't want your voice navigation app to silently crash when you're on the highway - you might not notice until you've missed your turnoff by twenty miles.
carlob 13y ago
I have quit iOS just after iOS 4 came out: it was much much slower than iOS 3 on my iPhone 3G without much in term of new features (no multitasking, no home screen wallpaper). Because of this I felt that Apple was pulling a Microsoft on its huge mobile user base, forcing them into planned obsolescence. When I bought an Android phone I instantly fell in love with the concept of intents, where you can choose what app opens when you're click on an address, a URL, a link or open up a keyboard. It was then I realized that this was exactly what Microsoft had been convicted for and what Mac users were so vocal about in the nineties. I still use a Mac, because I think that Windows is still prevalent enough that Apple is forced to keep it honest, but the moment they will break that point in mind- and market-share I'll be forced to migrate.
Camillo 13y ago
For me, Google Maps's killer feature is still transit directions.
mvkel 13y ago
Higher market share percentage does not a win make. A compromise in user experience is nothing but a loss for consumers.
dsirijus 13y ago
If they bought out Foursquare... Oh my. Now there's an acquisition worth a billion.
qq66 13y ago
Google didn't lose, they did exactly what they wanted to do. When iOS 6 was in development, Google refused to license turn by turn to Apple, forcing Apple to develop its own maps. Google did this to hamper Apple relative to Android in mapping, deciding that they were willing to lose tens of millions of iPhone map users to give Android another weapon. With Android outselling iPhone 4 to 1, it's hard to say that they didn't achieve their objective.
- stephenr 13y ago
  Samsung is by far the most profitable company selling Android phones. As of July they had about twice the market of Apple for Smartphones, and they still made less money from it. Apple sell a premium product at a premium price - market share doesn’t mean shit if your profit from each device sold is three fifths of fuck all.
  - qq66 13y ago
    Google doesn't really care about the profits made on Android phones -- they just want more Android out there since it feeds usage of Google services (such as Maps, Mail, and Search)
    - stephenr 13y ago
      Pretty sure samsung and all the other Android device makers care about profits though.
cheshire137 13y ago
I tried the standalone Google Maps app on my iPhone after upgrading to iOS 6. I deleted it a few months later after it repeatedly gave me some BS error about the service not being available. This was on 3G and wifi. Googling for that error, I found people saying it would go away if I logged back into my Google account in the Google Maps app. No thank you, I don't want to have it periodically log me out and force me to log back in, which requires opening 1Password and typing my long-ass master password on my phone keyboard. That error kept it from showing any maps or directions. I opted to have sometimes-incorrect map data from Apple Maps rather than no map data at all from Google Maps.
denharsh 13y ago
Indeed a big loss for Google, on Maps front....but they still catching up with rising number of Android users...

137 points by r0h1n 13y ago

I'm probably in the minority here, but I really like the Maps desktop app in OS X Mavericks too. The headline is a little dramatic. I don't know if Google "lost", surely they predicted this sort of situation when they chose not to renew their licensing deal with Apple.

aroch 13y ago
Sometimes when I need a quick break at work, I'll pull up a fly-over in the Maps app and wander through a city. It is relaxing and pretty nifty.

chollida1 13y ago

Apple maps is still a poor competitor to Google Maps. Yesterday I went to the beer store( that is what it's called in Ontario). Being at a new house I used apple maps on my phone. The first 3 results it showed had no beer store there. I finally found it using google maps.

drpgq 13y ago
I've had problems with Apple maps in Ontario too. I'm wondering if the performance versus Google Maps in Canada is different than the US.
- pyre 13y ago
  I'll bet that Apple Maps performs competitively around 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA (or in the Bay and Valley areas generally), but it's not like Apple has the equivalent of the Google Maps SUVs driving all around.
  - fpgeek 13y ago
    Why not? Apple can certainly afford to, and if they're serious about maps...
    - pyre 13y ago
      I never said that they couldn't afford to. I just said that they didn't. If Apple was serious about maps, then they wouldn't have partnered with Google in the first place. If it wasn't for Android, I'm sure that they would still be partnered with Google. Apple doing their own maps is just something that they need to complete the platform, not something they plan to put serious weight behind.
- deong 13y ago
  I'm in Iceland, and Apple Maps just punts here. It can't find anything at all, and about 50% of the time, it doesn't even try. You just get a UIAlertView that says "No Results Found". I did a comparison of about 30 sample lookups when it was brand new, and Google correctly responded to about 27 of them; Apple got two. I repeated the test about six months ago, and the only thing that had changed was that Google got one more right.
jfoutz 13y ago
And that's the beauty of comscore's metric. Spend 10 minutes dicking around with Apple maps, then 30 seconds in Google maps to find what you are looking for. Apple comes out way ahead, because their app is more engaging.
- rm999 13y ago
  Your scenario isn't supported by ComScore's results, they state that the vast majority of iphone users aren't using google maps at all. From the article: >ComScore's data suggests though that comparatively few iPhone owners actually take the trouble to use Google's maps
  - jfoutz 13y ago
    ComScore's data is great for advertisers, it gives user counts and time spent in the app. It's pretty much worthless for determining how effective the app is at finding locations. My hyperbolic statement can't be justified by the data provided. Perhaps apple users spend their time looking up hundreds of locations and google users are only able to find one. There's an obvious selection bias, and i don't know what the effect is. I'd claim smartphone users aren't all that different, they just want to look stuff up, and they'd look it up at comparable rates. If that's true, it takes apple maps users longer to find stuff.
demallien 13y ago
I'm guessing that many Apple Maps users don't use Maps in that way, but more for finding a specific address. Personally, on my iPhone if I want to find a business I do it through Yelp, which comes with the added bonus of being integrated with Siri. You can ask for an itinerary from there and it shows it in Maps, it's all very easy as a workflow. For example, living in Paris, if I want to go to the CNIT (a shopping centre located at La Defense), Apple Maps itself refuses to give me the address. But if I ask the Yelp app, it points me straight to it, and from there I click on a link and I have my itinerary in Maps. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the remaining flaws in Apple Maps are so easy to route around now that they just aren't much of an issue.
- potatolicious 13y ago
  I look up specific addresses via Apple Maps, it still sucks. Hell, let's try this right now. I'm sitting at work in Brooklyn. I just typed in "20 Jay St", the address of my building. Apple Maps has my location, this should be a piece of CAKE. ... And now I'm at "20 Main Tavern" near Plattsburg, NY, by the Canadian border. I also just searched for my home address, which is a 5 minute subway ride away in Manhattan. I ended up at "3rd St & Baker Springs Rd" in Wickes, AK. Or searching for "161 Canal" takes me to "161 Canal Lane" in Jackson, NJ, as opposed to the much more obvious "161 Canal Street" in Manhattan. Apple Maps is full of nonsense, either searching via POI or via address, or via intersection. It's practically useless. At this point I'm pretty sure I need to memorize Lat/Long just to use this thing, or be absurdly specific every time I use it. "Empire State Building, the one in Manahttan, if you please"
  - lemma 13y ago
    Could be worse, I just typed a full home address in Miami and got a result in Australia...
  - rzt 13y ago
    The funny thing is, is that when you use Siri, Apple Maps seems to be more accurate. I can say, "Directions from home to 123 Main Street, Hometown" and the directions will be perfect. If I type that same query out, I get "Directions Not Found." I don't get it.
eknkc 13y ago
I always use Foursquare to find places and tap "Get Directions" to open up the location in Apple Maps. Pretty happy with this. Apple Maps can not find shit in my hometown by itself but it's pretty fine with strict addresses and navigation.

arkinus 13y ago

I think that strategically, Apple would always have wanted its own Maps app. As the article states, it's a hugely valuable source of road traffic and other geo-related data. The split was inevitable, and while Google may have accelerated the split, I don't think it's really a mistake on their part.

ancarda 13y ago

I've been using Apple Maps since it was first released in iOS 6. I've reported countless problems but only 1 was ever fixed. Unlike with Google Maps, it seems there's no way for a business to register itself or otherwise contribute info. As such, Google Maps often has more information. Apple Maps is, generally in my area, out of date and missing businesses and schools and unfortunately I don't see it getting better.

uptown 13y ago
I don't disagree that there's plenty that remains to be fixed on Apple maps in terms of location-data and business info for those locations. On the flip side, I've been waiting for Google to update the business hours for a business I work with for over two months despite submitting multiple requests for the correction. As far as Google is concerned, they're closed on Sundays.
- wozniacki 13y ago
  This verges on nitpicking. I have lost score on how many times Yelp has glaringly gotten business hours wrong, for hot restaurants in major neighborhoods. This from a website whose whole purpose is to help customers find businesses. Frankly, business hours are a some what tricky problem as it is purely up to the whim and fancy of the establishment, when it wants to stay open or when it wants to have reduced hours or when it wants to be closed for business. I wish businesses and restaurants were required to maintain minimum standards of serviceability in this and many other regards.
jws 13y ago
I find both Apple and Google unresponsive to user corrections. Since iOS released maps it has shown a hospital near me that has long been closed, demolished, and rebuilt as a retirement community. The hospital itself moved about 10 miles west to a different community, yet there it is on the map in all its pink glory. In the course of a "google maps doesn't have these problems" discussion I pulled up Google maps, and lo and behold, it has the same problem. Fast forward to the present and they both still show this long dead hospital despite me taking the time to send in corrections from time to time. For a long time the new location was trivially verifiable by following the map's own web link. Now that URL is dead, so it would require a quick search and a tiny bit of thought. I hope no one relies on that information in an emergency to get someone to a hospital.

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archgrove 13y ago

Apple maps has reached "good enough" for a large number of use cases. It's now "good enough" to use as a satellite navigation system for a car, "good enough" to give me walking directions to nearby major sites/roads, and "good enough" as a "I'm sure I'm nearly at X, where the heck is it?" recovery tool. It still has a pretty useless database of locations. The listings for many shops/venues in my area are literally years (sometimes decades) out of date, even after I reported them back when iOS 6 was a beta. This is slowly improving, seemingly starting with locations that are commonly visited, but it's still not there. However, given that most of my use cases are "Enter post (ZIP) code, go there", this doesn't really matter. 90% of the time, Apple maps works fine, and there's no reason to use something else, especially when it's ad-laden. Given that maps are not a core concern for Apple, I've always been surprised they've not just thrown money at improving open street maps. A few hundred million to setup an "OSM foundation" (or fund an existing one) could seriously help them (decent free mapping database to use), and hurt Google (major commercial advantage limited/eliminated). They could probably get MS onboard as well.

ZeroGravitas 13y ago
MS does help OSM quite a bit, primarily by providing access to Bing satellite images which can be used to trace over to create OSM data. They also hired the guy who started OSM for a while (though he left recently to go to Telenav) And the OSM foundation does already exist: http://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Main_Page http://wiki.osmfoundation.org/wiki/Main_Page
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Touche 13y ago
> 90% of the time, Apple maps works fine, and there's no reason to use something else, especially when it's ad-laden. Which maps are you talking about?
- tedunangst 13y ago
  Google Maps on iOS. I wouldn't call it ad-laden, but it does have a habit of popping up a sponsored result precisely when I'm least interested in it.

ZeroGravitas 13y ago

I wonder if the drop in iOS users using maps, and the increase in Android users using maps might have something to do with the quality of the maps that iOS forces on you as a non-replaceable default? You might assume that some people (say, traveling salespeople) consider that one of the primary features of their phone and would happily switch if the usability/data/integration was better.

ape4 13y ago

People are lazy - the default always wins.

uptown 13y ago
Frequently ... but not always. See: Google Chrome as a desktop browser.
- aroch 13y ago
  I feel as if half of Chrome "winning" is Google shoving it down everyone's throat across all their properties. Google.com: Internet feeling slow, use Chrome! CHROME! GET CHROME! CHROME MAKES YOUR DIALUP FEEL LIKE FIBER!!!!!!! Youtube: Video taking a long time to buffer, use Chrome! Gmail: Want to use any of the value-added options (chat, video, etc), better use Chrome!
  - nl 13y ago
    Shows what a massive effort it is to overcome a default setting.
- lcnmrn 13y ago
  Google Chrome has a better user experience. If only Safari team can figure a way to depart from OS X integration and build something completely unique just like iTunes is.
- xutopia 13y ago
  With Mavericks I see a lot of people around me going to Safari from Chrome. The main reason... battery life when on the plane. The few hours a week they need to use Safari and the fact they don't want to have to use more than one browser means it is now their default.
- riquito 13y ago
  What are you talking about? Worldwide Chrome, on desktop, has less market share than Explorer (which has about 60%) and firefox (which has always been a couple points over chrome). It gained a lot of share, without doubt, but it's far from being the winner. Edit: http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/internet-explorer-continues-to-grow-and-mavericks-already-on-11-percent-of-macs/ http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2013/11/intern...

Shinkei 13y ago

Headline is quite misleading. For one thing, it's only looking at numbers in the US. On a cursory search, I can't find numbers but I suspect that Google maps is available in more countries and used by more people worldwide than Apple maps. Not to mention, the article assumes Apple wouldn't have attempted to develop its own app even if Google met all its needs. As we've seen previously, Apple's strategy has always been about controlling the user experience. IMHO, there's no way that Apple would've allowed Google maps to dominate its iOS users for much longer... regardless of this issue of navigation, etc. It would've just been something else as an excuse to move their users to their own platform.

interpol_p 13y ago
I think Apple would have been okay with it if Google was willing to simply remain a maps data provider. Google wanted more significant branding (which is fair enough), anything that takes control of the appearance out of Apple's hands is likely to be a deal-breaker.
- dijit 13y ago
  really? I didn't think it was a branding thing at all, the way I understand it is that you have to pay royalties for every request and access to area's of the world. an example of this not working is that; when Siri first launched it was unable to process requests for map lookups, or questions about local businesses (out of the US) because it would use google, and apple wouldn't pay for the expanded regions. this is all in my head from a conversation years ago and might be wrong, but I'd be interested to know if anyone else had information.
  - interpol_p 13y ago
    There was a WSJ article from quite some time ago that went into a lot of detail about this (quoting sources from both sides). Some of the relevant paragraphs: > The two sides bickered over a Google Maps feature called Street View, which lets people see an actual photo as if they are standing in the street. Apple wanted to incorporate Street View on the iPhone just as Google already offered it for Android phones. Google initially withheld the feature, frustrating Apple executives, according to people on both sides of the debate. > Apple executives also wanted to include Google's turn-by-turn-navigation service in the iPhone—a feature popular with Android users because it lets people treat their phones as in-car GPS devices. Google wouldn't allow it, according to people on both sides. One of these people said Google viewed Apple's terms as unfair. > Google executives, meantime, also bristled at Apple's refusal to add features that would help Google. For instance, Google wanted to emphasize its brand name more prominently within the maps app. It also wanted Apple to enable its service designed to find friends nearby, dubbed Latitude, which Apple refrained from doing, said people on both sides. Source: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304543904577398502695522974 http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB1000142405270230454390...

smackfu 13y ago

Seems like that article should include the word "Waze" somewhere in it. I know a lot of iOS users who swear by it, because it has much better live traffic data, and Google purchased it earlier this year.

otikik 13y ago

Android.

Kurtz79 13y ago

It's called the "Internet Explorer" effect. I'm not saying Apple Maps is as a bad product, but I think the basic reason for its adoption is the same,as the article mentions. It's good enough for most people, and it's the default on the platform.

josefresco 13y ago
It's more like the latter day IE effect, as the first one involved giving away something for free (IE) that was previously available only for sale (Netscape).
- kalleboo 13y ago
  Did anyone ever buy Netscape? Everyone I knew got it from their ISP or downloaded the "educational" version.

venomsnake 13y ago

If apple maps have ruler and scale displayed, they are head and shoulders above the current incarnation of Android Google Maps. Which I found out two days ago give you absolutely no way of measuring a distance, even a rough guestimation.

kalleboo 13y ago
Last time I used Google Maps on Android, the scale was an option you turned on in "Labs" in the menu. Is that no longer possible?
- venomsnake 13y ago
  I was talking about the application - there is no Labs - just checked. So no ruler. Also the scale shows for just a second while zooming and then disappear.
  - kalleboo 13y ago
    Looks like the removed it in Maps 7.0 a couple months ago http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/12/whats-really-new-in-google-maps-for-android-7-0-a-lot-heres-our-massive-unofficial-changelog/ http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/07/12/whats-really-new-in-... I haven't used Android since then which explains my confusion

Grue3 13y ago

If this doesn't prove that Apple users will lap up whatever half-baked stuff Apple puts out, then nothing else does.

speg 13y ago

I don't know if it's just me, but Maps.app always seems to give me turning instruction just a bit too late. Google Maps seems to give them 4 or 5 seconds earlier, giving me enough time to change lanes or otherwise prepare for the turn.

w1ntermute 13y ago

This has everything to do with it being impossible to change the default maps app in iOS and nothing to do with the quality of Apple's maps (which is still very low in comparison to Google's). When you search for directions using Siri, it'll take you to Apple Maps. When you click on an address in another app, the same. This is the same reason why Chrome won't be able to cement itself on iOS. If it weren't for iOS's minuscule market share, this would be justification for a major DoJ crackdown. They took MS to court just for setting a default browser - imagine what it would be like for Apple, which doesn't even let you change it.

wmeredith 13y ago
The ability to set up contracts between apps at the OS level is my biggest feature wish list item for iOS. The jump in usefulness of the device would be similar to when Apple opened the App store after initially launching with web-apps only.
- w1ntermute 13y ago
  I can't see this ever happening. Apple's whole shtick is that they make decisions for the user. Moreover, I don't think that average iOS users actually care. Most of them didn't even realize that Google Maps was replaced by an Apple equivalent. And when Apple Maps doesn't work correctly, they just accept that that's how things are - that's the sort of mentality that Apple cultivates in its users.
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
  - rjohnk 13y ago
    No, it isn't a function of Apple cultivating tech ignorance. Apple, Microsoft, and Google make user decisions all the time. It's that most people don't care. They buy a tech product and go about their day. That's the point of consumer technology - make it out of the box ready because most people don't think like us. Maps or Browser or whatever. Joe User : "Huh, that's different" If it still works they go about their day. Average Hacker News User: "Dammit, they moved the border padding 1 pixel to the left and the anti-aliasing on the font looks different when I look at it with a magnifying glass at 2 inches from my eyeball. I have to complain on my tech blogs right away about this travesty!"

dustinupdyke 13y ago

A bit off-topic, but the newest Google maps on the desktop is terrible; a massive step backwards in usability imho. I suppose they were trying to simplify, but now I can't figure out how to send someone a pin, how to click on a pin, how to find things around a pin, etc. I gave up and switched to Bing. First for maps, but then for everything, and it doesn't seem like I gave anything up; I guess wasn't as married to a search/map engine as I had previously thought. I agree with other comments here, that on the phone, Apple maps is certainly "good enough".

eeeeeeeeeeeee 13y ago
I haven't switched to Bing, yet, but I agree that the new Google Maps is a step backwards. It appears that in an effort to simplify or streamline the interface they've succeeded in making it harder to use.
TillE 13y ago
The problem with the new Google Maps is that the interface is quite literally all over the place. Top-left, bottom-left, bottom-right, who the hell knows where anything is. How do you view transit lines? It took me months to figure out that you could hover over the search box and click the blue Transit link. This is a hugely important feature to me, and it's hidden. Just in the past few days they did finally add back the little orange peg-man as a Street View interface, which is a big improvement.
- jonknee 13y ago
  > How do you view transit lines? It took me months to figure out that you could hover over the search box and click the blue Transit link. This is a hugely important feature to me, and it's hidden. To be fair the search box is expanded by default so the transit link is on the screen when you load maps. If you click the map the search box minimizes and you would have to either click it again or hover over.
300bps 13y ago
I'm with you regarding Bing as well. First I switched just to separate my searches from my Gmail account through more than just Google's goodwill configuration options. Since I switched, I've gotten at least $100 in free Amazon gift cards through their Bing Rewards program. I too label their search as "good enough".

atacrawl 13y ago

My primary need in a maps app is to answer the question "how are the highways in my metro area?" Google Maps nails it and Apple Maps doesn't, it's that simple.

astral303 13y ago

Google Maps doesn't remember your recent map searches and destinations unless you're signed in and have web history turned on. WTF? Why can't you remember a few hundred bytes worth of data just on my phone? I stopped using Google Maps because of that. Apple Maps POI still sucks, but its navigation works better than Google Maps. I use Waze for when I need time-sensitive, accurate navigation.

jonknee 13y ago
> Apple Maps POI still sucks, but its navigation works better than Google Maps. I use Waze for when I need time-sensitive, accurate navigation. To me it's impossible that POI information is terrible and navigation work better. Apple Maps can beautifully navigate you to the wrong place, but that's useless. Accurate information is the most important information by far for mapping and navigation.
- astral303 13y ago
  It's not at all impossible! 1) Most navigation I do is to known addresses, not results of POI searches [e.g. friend's house], 2) most POI searches come back accurate, about 2/3rds for me, and by far the prevailing mode of POI failure is Apple Maps' inability to find the destination. If the destination is found, it's usually correct. But usually I also have enough context to validate whether the result is in the right area. If it's not, then I repeat the search in Google Maps, but still often choose to navigate with Apple Maps (or Waze).

webwright 13y ago

Of course it's going to shed users if it goes from being the default app to competing with the owner of the ecosystem. No one expected Google to win any more than people expected Netscape to win when Microsoft decided to make a browser, because Microsoft can control the default. Once they allowed other browsers to usurp the default position (thanks, Justice Department!), the browser wars were back on. Unfortunately, Apple is so far from a monopoly that iPhone users will never have the ability to choose their default maps, mail, calendar, camera, phone or music app.

danso 13y ago

The headline may seem misleading because almost everyone here thinks of "winning" as winning on technical merit and superiority. But the winning is due to iOS's strategy, as ill-tasting as it is to most people here, of locking down the system defaults. From the OP: > ComScore's data suggests though that comparatively few iPhone owners actually take the trouble to use Google's maps rather than Apple's - in part because Apple's maps are the default for any driving directions or map-related search on iOS 6 and above. Obviously, Apple advocates would argue that this is a victory based on technical implementation...Apple Maps may not be the greatest, but the consistency of UI and behavior, in the long run, is better for users, so say the Apple advocates. I use both an iPad and an Android...I'll likely never go back to an iPhone because the Google implementation of things is so much better...it's not just maps, but the keyboard...it's unbelievable how much better Swiftkey is than the iPad keyboard...I can hardly type on the iPad without making typos due to autocorrect, on SwiftKey, I can barely deliberately make typos. And of course, iPhone users scoff at the idea of "having" to install a keyboard. And I'll give them some credit...the way that Android keeps asking me what I want to do with a link when I click it from an app (such as Twitter) can be annoying, because I'm the type of person who won't pick "keep this as default"...I say sincerely that it is a cognitive benefit when iOS just makes the choice for you. And I'm saying that as a technically-proficient person...for those who aren't, this lack of choice is probably an overall benefit to their happiness.

Drexl 13y ago
Couldn't agree more. Apple "won" because 20+M people were to lazy to find a better application or didn't know how and just kept what they were given. For the majority of iOS users that's how it works. You use what you are given and deal with it.
- eunice 13y ago
  I installed Google Maps on the day of release & between the constant harassment re: signing in and ads... well... 'better' is definitely subjective.

jedrek 13y ago

Apple Maps is close to unusable in Warsaw, Poland, as well as other cities in Eastern Europe (Prague and Budapest come to mind). I celebrated the release of Google Maps for iOS6 and I've been a loyal user for a while. Every time I'm tossed into Apple Maps when it's embedded in an application, I'm confirmed in my judgement. Maybe it's a language issue? Bing Maps was thrust upon Facebook users when they had their falling out with Google a few years back. It made hot-linked addresses completely unusable for 2-3 years afterwards.

hannibalhorn 13y ago
Apple Maps is equally unusable where I'm at (Colombia,) and Google's aren't perfect but are pretty good and getting better. I've even seen a few of their vehicles about. The weird bit is that the Google Maps iOS app isn't available in the country specific app store, so it's pretty difficult for the average person to obtain.

jccc 13y ago

Google [...] was kicked off the iPhone after it refused to give Apple access to its voice-driven turn-by-turn map navigation [...] Er ... was that how it happened? http://allthingsd.com/20120926/apple-google-maps-talks-crashed-over-voice-guided-directions/ http://allthingsd.com/20120926/apple-google-maps-talks-crash... [Google] asked for in-app branding. Apple declined. It suggested adding Google Latitude [giving up the location data of Apple's users]. Again, Apple declined. [...] having chosen Google as its original mapping partner, the iPhone maker was now in a position where an archrival was calling the shots on functionality important to the iOS maps feature set. Everything they make says "Designed by Apple in California," not "Designed by Apple and a hundred other companies." Agree or disagree with the strategy, that is the reason they did their own maps.

bnegreve 13y ago
> Everything they make says "Designed by Apple in California," not "Designed by Apple and a hundred other companies." Agree or disagree with the strategy, that is the reason they did their own maps. What do you mean? The App Store is filled with apps designed by hundreds of other companies. Why is it different for maps?

DIVx0 13y ago

I still 'make the effort' to use google maps even though it would be easier to just use apple maps since like the article states, it's automatic and easy. I do give apple maps a try, even recently, however _every_ time I use apple maps it gives me directions I know are inferior or it will put me near my destination but in an incredibly inconvenient spot. For example: The other week I wanted to find a way to a train station, I used Siri and let it open up and plan via apple maps. It 'found' my destination and placed the map marker at the nearest possible spot (the map did not have the station lot or it's connecting road). The problem was that the closest spot was on the other side of the tracks with no way to cross except take a multi-mile detour. Just the other day I had to make the same trip, this time I used google maps and not only did have the whole station complex on the map it correctly routed me to it. I simply cannot trust apple maps. It may be easier to use via siri or safari links but if it wastes my time by giving me crap information than it really is not helping. A few seconds of copy and pasting addresses into google maps app or using it's built in search is well worth not having to worry about taking a forced apple detour.

awjr 13y ago

Locally we sometimes "go crwazy" and use Apple Maps to see how good the directions are to get to a named place. Sometimes it works but mostly we revert to a garmin or google maps :( (Live in Somerset, UK)

badusername 13y ago

I suspect that some of the negative sentiment here on Apple Maps is because of the strong entrenchment in Google Maps and its ways, before Apple was around in that game. I actually happen to love Apple Maps, so much so that I've started to use the Mavericks app as well. It's definitely more visually nuanced and aesthetically pleasing. For where I live at (SF Bay Area), I've never experienced any major problems with routing or data - public transit is not my default use. The tight integration with Yelp adds to the comfort and familiarity as well.

deong 13y ago
> For where I live at (SF Bay Area), I've never experienced any major problems with routing or data I think Bob's Discount Maps, Bait, and Tackle probably works fine in San Francisco. Outside the Bay Area, it's bad. Outside the US, you'd be better off with paper maps than Apple Maps -- they'll burn better when you're lost.
indy 13y ago
It would be highly surprising if either of the mapping solutions had inaccurate data for the SF Bay Area.

Segmentation 13y ago

If iOS ever completely dominates marketshare (probably unlikely since I think Android still outsells it globally), I would expect antitrust lawsuits to occur for Apple regarding iOS default programs. Much like Microsoft in the past.

egypturnash 13y ago

I'll start using Apple Maps when it can do transit directions. I live in the city; I don't need a car. Or know how to drive for that matter.

psychometry 13y ago

Apple might have worse maps, but they're much better an UI/UX than Google. Want to save a bookmark to your friend's apartment in Google Maps like you used to be able to do? Good luck with that. Google has decided that locations can only be "starred" and not associated with a name. Turn-by-turn navigation is also much better with Apple Maps. Upcoming turns are announced more often and at more convenient intervals. I hardly ever miss a turn when using Apple Maps, but I certainly cannot say the same for Google.

deleted 13y ago

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davidedicillo 13y ago

While everyone bashes the quality of the data in Apple's map app, what really makes it win for me is the perfect integration with everything else. I have to use Google Maps when I bike because it gives me biking direction, but since it's not fully integrated in the OS, often it doesn't give me the step by step directions unless I'm in the app or if the phone goes black.

rcthompson 13y ago

It sounds like Google Maps lost because Apple kicked them off iOS, not because Apple Maps is a viabl competitor.

rjd 13y ago
And the fact Google Maps interface is awful and Apple maps has more useful contextual data. Personally I used both Google Maps and Apple Maps to around navigate Australia in a mobile home recently. At times both maps where useless, but generally Google Maps was just awful. Its been stated in this thread that Apple Maps is good enough, but the flip side is, in rural Australia at least, Google Maps just isn't good enough.

EGreg 13y ago

Google won in so many ways these past few years, but one of the biggest wins over Apple was ironically... in the interface. Google introduced the flat interface in its website and pioneered it in Chrome. (Yes, IE had long ago been flat but it was ugly.) It even made the icon completely flat. Android had simple, flat designs. Apple had nice skeumorphism. Then surprisingly both Microsof and Apple followed Google's design aesthetic! Except Google does it better. Take Apple for example ... I thought I'd never see the day when I'd aay Google's app interfaces are more consistent and beautiful than Apple's. But it's true. They have buttons that look beautiful when pressed, due to 3D hints. All their apps have the same consistent aesthetic. Since iOS7, the aame cannot be said of Apple's apps. It makes Google's suite of apps a pleasure to use. And speaking of the suite side of Google, look at it: Maps YouTube Analytics These first two alone are the go to solutions for anyone who needs that stuff. Want to show maps? Use Google (maybe bing). Want to embed video or link to one? YouTube! (would you use vimeo on mobile?) In short... Google is an indispensable part of everyone's mobile phone and can charge for its large integrations.

wnevets 13y ago

Apple forcing users to use their map (or any) software is exactly why Google needed to give the android OS away for free. Google would of been screwed on mobile if they didnt push so hard with android.

georgemcbay 13y ago

As an Android Google Maps user, the bigger issue for me is how terrible Google Maps 7.x.x is compared to 6.x.x. I've got my Nexus 4 set up to remain on 6.x.x indefinitely and fear of reverting Maps to 6.x.x on KitKat being a PITA is the reason I'm not planning on buying a Nexus 5 or any newer Android phone for the foreseeable future. They are very slowly undoing some of the damage that the incredibly misguided earlier 7.x.x releases caused, but 6.x.x is still, by far, the superior app for now.

matthuggins 13y ago

I have an Android, and my wife has an iPhone. Recently, my phone was dead, and my wife had to pull up directions for me on Apple Maps. For most of the ride, I had a very tough time with Apple Maps. The biggest 3 problems for me with Apple Maps were that: 1) the map was zoomed in too far so I couldn't tell what turns were coming up; 2) as far as I could tell, there was no textual representation of how far I needed to go on the current road or which direction my next turn would be; 3) dragging the map is not a "thing" in Apple Maps. I like to be able to drag the map to look ahead at the route, and Apple just doesn't let you do that. You can only pivot around your current GPS position, and since you're already zoomed in too far, it doesn't help at all. Apple may have "won" in the sense that they have claimed a lot of usage share, but from the perspective of a satisfied Google Maps user, I certainly feel like the end user has lost.

GrantS 13y ago
I have no idea how things are in iOS 7, but in the original version of maps that shipped with iOS 6, you press the "Overview" button at top right to be able to zoom around the whole map and the 3-lines symbol at bottom left to see the complete textual list of turn-by-turn directions. Have those options been removed?
- onedognight 13y ago
  Overview is in iOS7 and is exactly what the GP wants. Click the screen anywhere, then press Overview.
  - matthuggins 13y ago
    Ahh, thanks. Not as intuitive as just pinching/dragging, that's for sure!

auctiontheory 13y ago

Opening Google Maps from Siri is tricky, and then the app crashes - often. You don't want your voice navigation app to silently crash when you're on the highway - you might not notice until you've missed your turnoff by twenty miles.

carlob 13y ago

I have quit iOS just after iOS 4 came out: it was much much slower than iOS 3 on my iPhone 3G without much in term of new features (no multitasking, no home screen wallpaper). Because of this I felt that Apple was pulling a Microsoft on its huge mobile user base, forcing them into planned obsolescence. When I bought an Android phone I instantly fell in love with the concept of intents, where you can choose what app opens when you're click on an address, a URL, a link or open up a keyboard. It was then I realized that this was exactly what Microsoft had been convicted for and what Mac users were so vocal about in the nineties. I still use a Mac, because I think that Windows is still prevalent enough that Apple is forced to keep it honest, but the moment they will break that point in mind- and market-share I'll be forced to migrate.

Camillo 13y ago

For me, Google Maps's killer feature is still transit directions.

mvkel 13y ago

Higher market share percentage does not a win make. A compromise in user experience is nothing but a loss for consumers.

dsirijus 13y ago

If they bought out Foursquare... Oh my. Now there's an acquisition worth a billion.

qq66 13y ago

Google didn't lose, they did exactly what they wanted to do. When iOS 6 was in development, Google refused to license turn by turn to Apple, forcing Apple to develop its own maps. Google did this to hamper Apple relative to Android in mapping, deciding that they were willing to lose tens of millions of iPhone map users to give Android another weapon. With Android outselling iPhone 4 to 1, it's hard to say that they didn't achieve their objective.

stephenr 13y ago
Samsung is by far the most profitable company selling Android phones. As of July they had about twice the market of Apple for Smartphones, and they still made less money from it. Apple sell a premium product at a premium price - market share doesn’t mean shit if your profit from each device sold is three fifths of fuck all.
- qq66 13y ago
  Google doesn't really care about the profits made on Android phones -- they just want more Android out there since it feeds usage of Google services (such as Maps, Mail, and Search)
  - stephenr 13y ago
    Pretty sure samsung and all the other Android device makers care about profits though.

cheshire137 13y ago

I tried the standalone Google Maps app on my iPhone after upgrading to iOS 6. I deleted it a few months later after it repeatedly gave me some BS error about the service not being available. This was on 3G and wifi. Googling for that error, I found people saying it would go away if I logged back into my Google account in the Google Maps app. No thank you, I don't want to have it periodically log me out and force me to log back in, which requires opening 1Password and typing my long-ass master password on my phone keyboard. That error kept it from showing any maps or directions. I opted to have sometimes-incorrect map data from Apple Maps rather than no map data at all from Google Maps.

denharsh 13y ago

Indeed a big loss for Google, on Maps front....but they still catching up with rising number of Android users...