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Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

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Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#41

Post by tmalloy »

slykat wrote: post #33
tmalloy wrote: post #27

Co-Founder of Embark here (letsembark.com). We have apps for 12 systems, mostly in the US (BART, Caltrain, NYC, LIRR, MNR, NJT, DC Metro, Philly, CTA, Metra, Boston & London Tube). We also integrate with iOS 6 maps, so our apps should show up for you if they're relevant. In my subjective opinion, it's a way better experience than a google maps web view. EDIT: Looks like my co-founder David beat me to the punch

I love Google Transit directions. Can you give some examples of where Embark beats out Google Transit (screenshots if possible)? Also do you have real-time updates on arrival times with SF Muni? Google Transit does not.

Here's one example we saw recently in new york going from the 116th/Columbia stop to 12 St Marks Place. Google's result: http://i.imgur.com/8zpbY.png Our result: http://i.imgur.com/gpDu5.png & http://i.imgur.com/8hvrs.png

Currently we don't have an app for muni, though it's something we're working towards. There are some nice apps for Muni that have real-time arrivals but lack routing. Transporter & Routsey are probably the two best.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#42

Post by judp »

osi wrote: post #38
davidwhodge wrote: post #28

Hey guys. David Hodge here from Embark. I just wanted to let you know that we've got you covered for transit directions in many large cities. (And more being added all the time) Look for Embark in NYC, Washington DC, Boston, London, Chicago, San Francisco. Embark will work underground and has results tailored to each city instead of the very general results you tend to get from Google Transit.

embark for chicago only seems to include the 'L', not the CTA bus routes?

It seems it's the same for Boston. Embark only has the T, no buses. Which is a shame, because the app looks great otherwise. It even shows hubway (bike rental) stations around the T stops.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#43

Post by avelis »

vegashacker wrote: post #34

Somewhat off-topic, but does anyone in SF who rides public transportation agree that Google's Map directions in terms of time predictions don't work? Like they're almost always completely wrong. I wonder if they use scheduled bus times instead of actual ones. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to plug in something like Routesy to iOS 6 maps, and then I'd be a happy camper.

I also have noticed this in SF. It becomes most frustrating when I want to travel to a location using routes I am unfamiliar with or don't ride often. This means I can't off the top of my head guess when the next bus would be coming before choosing that bus route. In that case I usually pick a live route app like Transporter to see how long of a wait till that bus comes. Unfortunately, that time spent in another application can prove costly if you are in a hurry.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#44

Post by mtgx »

w1ntermute wrote: post #31
driverdan wrote: post #30

How about just sticking with iOS 5 until Apple fixes this? Is it really that important to upgrade to 6? (obviously doesn't apply to the new phone) The latest doesn't always mean the greatest.

That's little consolation to people who've bought the iPhone 5.

I've never understood why people like to pre-order something before even one review on it is released, or before they get a chance to see it for themselves.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#45

Post by vegashacker »

avelis wrote: post #43
vegashacker wrote: post #34

Somewhat off-topic, but does anyone in SF who rides public transportation agree that Google's Map directions in terms of time predictions don't work? Like they're almost always completely wrong. I wonder if they use scheduled bus times instead of actual ones. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to plug in something like Routesy to iOS 6 maps, and then I'd be a happy camper.

I also have noticed this in SF. It becomes most frustrating when I want to travel to a location using routes I am unfamiliar with or don't ride often. This means I can't off the top of my head guess when the next bus would be coming before choosing that bus route. In that case I usually pick a live route app like Transporter to see how long of a wait till that bus comes. Unfortunately, that time spent in another appl…

Totally agree. I use Google Maps for "route ideas" if I don't already know. And then switch to Routesy ASAP for the live arrivals.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#46

Post by JofArnold »

davidwhodge wrote: post #28

Hey guys. David Hodge here from Embark. I just wanted to let you know that we've got you covered for transit directions in many large cities. (And more being added all the time) Look for Embark in NYC, Washington DC, Boston, London, Chicago, San Francisco. Embark will work underground and has results tailored to each city instead of the very general results you tend to get from Google Transit.

This is possibly the comment that you never want to hear when you have a nice-looking app, but I do find them a bit painful to use. Use of screen height and extra button presses are too key areas that give me grief. It could simply be something as subtle as the London Underground map defaults to too far zoomed-in. Maybe try changing that?

However, they are free, free from ads and work really well. I especially like the way they tell you the direction of the train you're going to get.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#47

Post by [deleted] »

tomjen3 wrote: post #16

Can anybody explain why Google can't simply make a version of google maps that is installable through Safari (they way Steve wanted apps to be delivered?) You need absolutely no permission from Apple, and their app already works on the web (just used it to get directions, in fact).

[deleted]

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#48

Post by mtodd »

driverdan wrote: post #30

How about just sticking with iOS 5 until Apple fixes this? Is it really that important to upgrade to 6? (obviously doesn't apply to the new phone) The latest doesn't always mean the greatest.

Apple won't be fixing this. Their approach is to recommend transit apps depending on your location instead.

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#49

Post by davidwhodge »

JofArnold wrote: post #46
davidwhodge wrote: post #28

Hey guys. David Hodge here from Embark. I just wanted to let you know that we've got you covered for transit directions in many large cities. (And more being added all the time) Look for Embark in NYC, Washington DC, Boston, London, Chicago, San Francisco. Embark will work underground and has results tailored to each city instead of the very general results you tend to get from Google Transit.

This is possibly the comment that you never want to hear when you have a nice-looking app, but I do find them a bit painful to use. Use of screen height and extra button presses are too key areas that give me grief. It could simply be something as subtle as the London Underground map defaults to too far zoomed-in. Maybe try changing that? However, they are free, free from ads and work really well. I especially like t…

Hey Jof,

Thanks for the feedback. Generally people have been very happy with our apps, but we pay close attention if people have problems. We have a number of changes in store for London based on our user feedback. I'd really like to discuss these details with you sometime if you get a chance.

David

Re: Don't like iOS6's (lack of) transit directions? You need this.

#50

Post by tullidil »

vegashacker wrote: post #34

Somewhat off-topic, but does anyone in SF who rides public transportation agree that Google's Map directions in terms of time predictions don't work? Like they're almost always completely wrong. I wonder if they use scheduled bus times instead of actual ones. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to plug in something like Routesy to iOS 6 maps, and then I'd be a happy camper.

I'm pretty sure Google Maps and a plethora of other applications on the App Store simply use the MUNI schedules (http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mroutes/schedules.htm) for the purposes of "time prediction." Since buses in SF are basically never time due to many reasons (traffic, accidents, once I was on a bus where the trainee who was driving took the wrong exit on the way to Daly City BART and the actual Muni driver on the bus had to take over the wheel) the predictions are never accurate.

The only app that has done me right is Transporter, and I'm pretty sure it scrapes Nextbus or some other service for time predictions.

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