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Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

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Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#61

Post by itp »

mcbutterbunz wrote: post #52
dylan604 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Is it Apple Maps bad?" --Gavin Belson, Silicon Valley They had no place to go but up. That first version was absolutely embarrassing. I'm honestly surprised they were allowed to make it this far. To this day, I still do not use Apple Maps. As much as they try to get me to use it with all of the iOS embedding they've done, I still won't use it.

This update may make me switch from Google Maps. The UI in Google Maps has always been confusing and cluttered. There's a search bar, then quick search buttons underneath, then the layers button, "Explore nearby", explore, commute, "For you", and then finally the hamburger menu. Apple Maps is a lot cleaner but the only thing missing was the quality of the actual maps. Hopefully that has changed now.

There's also the ability to collaborate with people who don't have an iOS device. If someone creates a Collection in Apple Maps I just don't get to participate. If someone creates a shared list in Google Maps I can see it on my phone, a web browser, someone with an iPhone...

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#62

Post by ptasci67 »

bhahn wrote: post #48

I just switched to an iPhone after being a long time Android user, and I've found Apple Maps directions not to be as good as Google Maps'. I live in central LA, and it regularly routes me through long and congested intersections. Does anyone else feel this as well? Is it just my small sample size? I would like to continue using Apple Maps over Google Maps because of the integration with Apple Watch, but it's getting…

As some one who exclusively uses Apple Maps on the west side of LA, I have found the routing to be similar or the same. The killer function for me is the HUD when I have it mounted on my dash. Light-years better. Also...the lane accuracy is unparalleled.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#63

Post by kaishiro »

chungus_khan wrote: post #8
lotsofpulp wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Google maps near me is riddled with advertisements now. Promoted pins or whatever they call it. Of course, it’s for stores that I won’t ever have a need to visit.

There's also a whole tab of the navigate view that's just an advert for Uber, which I don't really appreciate.

As another piece of anecdata, I actually _do_ appreciate this tab. In the states it brings up Uber and Lyft for me, and traveling through JP I would also get Didi. Was nice to see what the price difference would be compared to public transit options.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#64

Post by atourgates »

They're taking their sweet time with the implementation of their "Look Around" feature.

I passed an Apple Maps camera car in rural Idaho on a state highway in the summer of 2018. If they were already in that much of an "out of the way" place back then, it's surprising to see that they're just getting around to adding major cities now.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#65

Post by londons_explore »

gingericha wrote: post #40

This reminds me of the individual who was doing an in-depth comparison of the history of Google Maps, Apple Maps, and how far ahead Google Maps was. They dove into comparisons for walking paths, "activity hot spots", green spaces, 3D mapping of buildings, etc. Does anyone remember the post and maybe has a link?

This is what you were thinking of:

https://www.justinobeirne.com/google-maps-moat

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#66

Post by jamesgeck0 »

koolba wrote: post #43
tclancy wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is this still true after the update?

Why would you expect a UI update to change the underlying server data?

Because the website says that the map data has been updated as well.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#67

Post by SlowRobotAhead »

Ididntdothis wrote: post #58

If they only could provide offline maps like google maps. That feature is fantastic in the desert areas in the west where you have no connectivity. Even the search function works great when offline. Also search still works better in google maps. Apple Maps doesn’t find the Office Depot near me but one 100 miles away for example.

We use this when traveling abroad, it's extremely helpful to know exactly how to get from A to B before you buy a local sim card.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#68

Post by taylorlapeyre »

penagwin wrote: post #26
s3r3nity wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's a super tough problem. Even Google Maps messages you that it's a feature in progress (paraphrasing of course), and they've had years of a head start on this.

You know that got me thinking, biking rules vary far more than for cars. Depending on your location, pedestrian traffic, streets, street traffic, etc. It might be best for you to be on the sidewalk. Or maybe you should instead be on the road since the road is only 25mph and there's pedestrians on the sidewalk. Maybe there's a bike lane, maybe there isn't. Maybe a town has a law saying you HAVE to bike on the road. Ar…

I think you could release a simplified version of biking directions that isn't perfect, but better than nothing:

- For a limited number of cities, determine which streets the city lists as having separated bike lanes, painted bike lanes, or city-designated "bike friendly" streets. Mark them on the map appropriately in a different map overlay (or on the transit overlay)

- Bicycle directions prioritize those streets.

It's not perfect, but this would be enough for me to use the app.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#69

Post by londons_explore »

tomrod wrote: post #49

Given their integration with DDG, I wonder if Apple would consider purchasing DDG to have the best privacy mindset on the web. Then... maybe purchasing Mozilla for networking suite?

DDG and Mozilla would loose a lot of users (and therefore value) if bought by apple. There is only a partial overlap in 'cultures', and they're both products where culture is very important.

Re: Apple delivers a new redesigned Maps for users in the United States

#70

Post by joelkek »

gingericha wrote: post #40

This reminds me of the individual who was doing an in-depth comparison of the history of Google Maps, Apple Maps, and how far ahead Google Maps was. They dove into comparisons for walking paths, "activity hot spots", green spaces, 3D mapping of buildings, etc. Does anyone remember the post and maybe has a link?

Justin O’Beirne. https://www.justinobeirne.com/cartography-comparison
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