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Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

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Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#81

Post by chipotle_coyote »

I used to be a huge Waze fan, and I do still use it, but both Apple Maps and Google Maps provide much better UX in a lot of ways: I really miss lane guidance, for instance. I think Waze still has the best traffic guidance, but I'm pretty sure the number of times I've clicked "yes, now that you've shown me this ad, I would like you to stop the route I'm on now and take me 17 minutes out of my way to go to the nearest Burger King, thanks" is 0%.

Also, whoever thought it was a great idea to permanently stick a button in the user interface that brings up an ad for Waze Carpool needs to be soundly whipped. I mean, I don't have any studies to back this up, but I'm pretty sure that when someone is in their car already, using Waze, they don't need to schedule a carpool pickup. Because they're in their car. Driving.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#82

Post by seanp2k2 »

valiant-comma wrote: post #62
radicaldreamer wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's just scary cutting through streets in SOMA which are two lanes of heavy traffic each way because Waze thinks it's fast to go down a narrow alley.

Indeed — you can choose to “reduce difficult intersections”[0] when selecting a route (tap the gear icon when the route list comes up), which might help in these situations. The article says they the feature was initially rolled out in LA, but it’s at least in the Bay Area at this point. [0] https://www.engadget.com/2016/06/19/waze-avoid-difficult-int...

I love that waze let’s you at least specify a preference. Apple maps and Google Maps are too simple in this regard IMO. Ideally, for advanced users, you could choose 0-100 how to optimize for route “stickiness” (staying on the same roads) vs aggressive optimization for time.

I’m guessing that the “difficult intetsections” in LA are e.g. two-way multi-lane streets with no left turn arrow (yield on green). How LA thinks that these actually work in 2018 is beyond my comprehension (for those who have never had the pleasure of driving in LA traffic, it basically translates to waiting half a dozen light cycles while both directions grid lock until someone stops to let you turn in front of them).

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#83

Post by Bedon292 »

I have no opinion on Apple Maps, as I haven't owned an iPhone since before it was available. However this, anecdotally, is definitely not my experience with Waze. Unless an accident happens (or additional traffic for some other random reason) on the route while I am on it, it is almost always perfect in its prediction. There are a few routes for me to take to and from work, and I check Waze every trip for which one I am going to take. I have learned to never argue with the route it takes me. Every time I take the 'Google' route instead of what Waze wants, I regret it because I end up sitting in an extra 10-15 minutes of traffic. Its also nice to be rerouted off of a road if an accident happens part way into the commute. I happen to be one of the fans of moving instead of sitting in traffic though, so that could also contribute. Its probably also worth noting, its 45-65 minutes each way, depending on start times. Perhaps the distance / time affects mine over the author. I might actually start a table of what it does for me now though, could be interesting to see.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#84

Post by Bedon292 »

tzs wrote: post #24

I'd like to see a review of how the various navigation apps do in situations with unusually heavy, unusually widespread traffic, such as when people were trying to go home after the 2017 total eclipse in the US. I was using Waze when leaving Madras, Oregon, after the eclipse heading to the Puget Sound area of Washington. It suggested a route that would bypass a couple miles of slow traffic, but the road it sent me do…

Waze, does have an option to avoid dirt roads, it works great when you have random dirt (pot hole filled) road as an alternate route to work that you never want to take at least. It is for some reason hidden in the settings, and not enable by default.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#85

Post by r00fus »

vl wrote: post #32
mistahchris wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Traveling the weird routes that waze sends me on is way more stressful to me than sitting in traffic. Especially now that I have an electric car. So I deleted Waze pretty quickly to just go with the mainstream apps. That being said, I'd still rather walk or bike than drive, even if it takes a little longer.

>Especially now that I have an electric car. But how electric car makes sitting in traffic better?

For one the engine isn't humming alerting you to the gas you're wasting just sitting there. Also many cars have a jackrabbit start so it's literally uncomfortable to go 1-10mi/hr (don't forget those manual shifters).

An EV is very zen and doesn't pressure you to move. In fact your eMPG or range estimator rewards you for crawling forward. Oh yeah and the HOV lanes.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#86

Post by jcranmer »

hokumguru wrote: post #76
lolsal wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What legal or ethical laws does it violate to have that data available?

You can buy a radar detector on amazon or $50, I'd say probably not many otherwise those would be much more regulated.

I grew up in Virginia, where radar detectors are illegal. I was surprised to learn that Virginia is in fact the only US state to ban radar detectors. It's also the only state to consider going 20 over the speed limit (or over 80 even on a 70mph highway) automatic reckless driving.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#87

Post by megy »

arkades wrote: post #72
megy wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> he location of speed traps most importantly. How in any was is that legal or ethical to have that data available.

Because, as was hashed out in court on exactly that question: the purpose of speed enforcement is to reduce speeding, not generate ticket revenue. If making people aware that they’re going to get caught speeding -makes them slow down- then the police presence is reducing the crime.

The point is to reduce speeding everywhere, not just in a few places that have cameras. What a joke.

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#88

Post by megy »

efrafa wrote: post #74
megy wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> he location of speed traps most importantly. How in any was is that legal or ethical to have that data available.

In europe you usuallly have warning before speedtrap. You can also hear about them in fm radio. The point is to slow down, not to get you a ticket..

The point is to stop people speeding in every location, so how does this achieve that?

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#89

Post by megy »

lolsal wrote: post #69
megy wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> he location of speed traps most importantly. How in any was is that legal or ethical to have that data available.

What legal or ethical laws does it violate to have that data available?

Providing this information makes it easier for people to speed in other places, making the roads a more dangerous place. This rule has definitely cost lives. If you don't think it is unethical, then what is your definition?

Re: Apple Maps vs. Google Maps vs. Waze

#90

Post by monkpit »

megy wrote: post #87
arkades wrote: post #72

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because, as was hashed out in court on exactly that question: the purpose of speed enforcement is to reduce speeding, not generate ticket revenue. If making people aware that they’re going to get caught speeding -makes them slow down- then the police presence is reducing the crime.

The point is to reduce speeding everywhere, not just in a few places that have cameras. What a joke.

We haven’t heard your solution to the problem yet...
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