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Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

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Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#11

Post by hbn »

I still can't help but always reach for Google Maps by default because it just seems most likely they'd have the most up to date traffic information from all the Android users they're constantly tracking. I don't think Apple really has access to that data?

I live in a smaller city in Canada so I just don't know how Apple would figure out when there's construction or roads blocked off to route me around those things. Google Maps seems to get it done cause of all the live user tracking they do.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#14

Post by leonhard »

Apple Maps is also the only app that shows the exact entrance and exit to take on public transport in the cities I’ve used it in (Vienna, London: esp. time-saving there with often exits numbered 1–5 without clear indication where they lead to), and the station layout with underground walkways overlayed on the map is also very accurate.

The only annoying UX gripe I have is that it doesn’t show the arrival time, you have to do your own mental math to add the route duration to the start time you’ve entered.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#15

Post by ajross »

starbugs wrote: post #8

In my experience, the following things are notably better in Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: * No dangerous shortcuts where I risk to damage my car * Routes make much more sense in general and are nearer to what someone who knows their way around locally would suggest * Voice instructions are clearer, easier to understand and timed better * Walking directions are easier to understand * The UI is less annoying. In Google…

> * No dangerous shortcuts where I risk to damage my car

Can you elaborate on this? This seems like a personal anecdote and not a software feature. How does one even define that? You're saying that there are special roads that Apple knows not to travel bug Google does? That seems odd, since the real world doesn't really mark its roads like that.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#16

Post by victor106 »

I was a little hesitant to switch to Apple Maps but after I did, I cannot go back to using Google Maps.

Everything from the UX to the clarity indicating street names is far superior on Apple Maps.

One thing I always hater about Google Maps is that it doesn’t show you street names when you need them. I was in NYC a while back and I wanted to see the street name and I had to do lot of scrolling to find it.

I also wish Apple has better metadata about businesses, sometimes it shows a restaurant as closed when it’s actually open or vice versa.

Overall I am glad i switched to Apple Maps

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#17

Post by codemiscreant »

nicolas_t wrote: post #6
SwiftyBug wrote: post #2

Apple Maps is infinitely superior to Google Maps to get walking directions. It's very easy to understand where I'm looking at on the map.

Where are you based? My experience so far is that Apple Maps is not very good outside of the US

Apple Maps is fantastic in Canada, or at least the Toronto area. Even in cottage country hours from urbanity has excellent directions and 3d buildings and structures.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#18

Post by DHPersonal »

I like Apple Maps over Google Maps for many reasons, but the primary is potentially also the silliest: while driving, the "you" icon is smaller and its location timing is different than Google, making turn-by-turn directions far easier to understand in an area I've never seen before. When I'm trying to see if it's the next street or the street afterward that I'm going to have to reach, the little bit of timing difference that Apple Maps has is incredibly important. Apple Maps lets me look at the map and then at the road and get a good indication of where I'm to turn, whereas my experience with Google Maps has me looking at the map and then realizing that I've already passed the road.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#19

Post by codyb »

I haven't used Google for much of anything in my personal life for years now. I have an email on gmail that I check sometimes but it's mostly just spam at this point. Beyond that Maps and DuckDuckGo are fine. Plus iCloud I guess. I don't really have a lot of need to share documents or spread sheets.

Maps has definitely gotten better over the years. Their bike instructions aren't great though.

Re: Apple Maps Gradually Winning over Google Maps Users, Report Suggests

#20

Post by guhidalg »

starbugs wrote: post #8

In my experience, the following things are notably better in Apple Maps vs. Google Maps: * No dangerous shortcuts where I risk to damage my car * Routes make much more sense in general and are nearer to what someone who knows their way around locally would suggest * Voice instructions are clearer, easier to understand and timed better * Walking directions are easier to understand * The UI is less annoying. In Google…

> Finally, as an iPhone user, my location data is already at Apple. Why give it to someone else?

I see their plan is working! By the way, do you install any 3rd party apps that require location services?

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