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Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

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Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#81

Post by numbchuckskills »

bstar77 wrote: post #50

Edit: somehow I screwed up my response, should be a response to @kjackson2012. Apple's main issues are with their location information from TomTom. If apple is able to partner with a company with better data, these types of problems should not be nearly as bad. Here's where Apple's maps product is better... The maps are vector based so there is not such a huge dependence on a data connection. I live near the pine bar…

from the google blog : "The app shows more map on screen and turns mobile mapping into one intuitive experience. It’s a sharper looking, vector-based map..."

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#82

Post by tjr »

isabre wrote: post #3

Apple maps is great if you want to drive yourself into the ocean.

Following a late night flight into the Orange County airport a couple of years ago, Google Maps on my iPhone directed me into the ocean. I was lost, it was nearly midnight, and instead of seeing the road continue on like the map showed me, I saw the dark expanse of the sea.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#83

Post by sharth »

kjackson2012 wrote: post #56
bstar77 wrote: post #50

Edit: somehow I screwed up my response, should be a response to @kjackson2012. Apple's main issues are with their location information from TomTom. If apple is able to partner with a company with better data, these types of problems should not be nearly as bad. Here's where Apple's maps product is better... The maps are vector based so there is not such a huge dependence on a data connection. I live near the pine bar…

No, you're wrong. It's not with the data. It's with Apple's ability to search. Like I said below, look up "Pier 39 San Francisco". This is a dead simple query, extremely specific, and they point you to a really bad area of SF. This isn't Tom Tom data, it's how Apple resolves this query to something useful. Search is Google's domain expertise. Apple needs to basically start from scratch and figure out how to create a…

Apple Maps also doesn't handle small spelling mistakes (transposed letters) well. That's been one of the most annoying things.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#84

Post by niklas_a00 »

hpagey wrote: post #13

Actually I think Apple won here. Google was refusing to release a turn by turn direction update to their apps. By developing an Apple Map App with turn by turn, they kind of forced GooG to provide it on iOS platform. Also, it is very difficult for google to ignore ios users.

I think it's a huge loss for Apple. They tried to break free from Google and failed. Apple users are now more reliant than ever on Google services to use their phones.

I would imagine that Gmail, Calendar, Search and Maps are used on almost every single device that they sell and they have no control over those services.

If Google would introduce a new feature in Maps, let's say indoor navigation, then Apple would be completely in the hands of Google for when that feature would be available to their users.

You could easily see a future where more and more Google services become popular on Apple devices. If that's the case Apple essentially becomes just another OEM like Samsung or HTC.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#86

Post by brianpan »

kjackson2012 wrote: post #56
bstar77 wrote: post #50

Edit: somehow I screwed up my response, should be a response to @kjackson2012. Apple's main issues are with their location information from TomTom. If apple is able to partner with a company with better data, these types of problems should not be nearly as bad. Here's where Apple's maps product is better... The maps are vector based so there is not such a huge dependence on a data connection. I live near the pine bar…

No, you're wrong. It's not with the data. It's with Apple's ability to search. Like I said below, look up "Pier 39 San Francisco". This is a dead simple query, extremely specific, and they point you to a really bad area of SF. This isn't Tom Tom data, it's how Apple resolves this query to something useful. Search is Google's domain expertise. Apple needs to basically start from scratch and figure out how to create a…

Surely you agree that your example is a non-standard address. The things are more important to get right: postal addresses, searches for company names, airports, schools, searches for intersections. Of course you want to get the other things right like, parks (what's the pinpoint location of a park?) and things like pier 39. But those errors don't make Apple Maps a non-starter. I've been using it in the Bay Area with 99% success.

This isn't a pass for Apple Maps- the last 1% is the most difficult and it's the difference between so-so and great. Apple has in the past been known to make things with the ultimate attention to detail and things that "just work" so if anything you could argue that they shouldn't have launched something that was below this bar, but apparently there were other business considerations.

BTW: From the Pier 39 website, "If you are using a GPS Navigation System, input: 2 Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94133" http://www.pier39.com/Information/index.htm

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#87

Post by w1ntermute »

jug6ernaut wrote: post #51
Alaskan005 wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No wonder he is the CEO and you aren't. Think LOOOOONG term, in a few years Apple will catch Google for the most part (hello AAPL bank accounts and increase of usage!) and Apple will not depend on a major competitor for a crucial aspect of the mobile world. Google is the loser, despite Apple having a few growing pains.

I assume your assuming Google Maps will just stagnate during this time? Or are you assuming Google Maps has already reached its peak?

I highly doubt Google Maps has reached its peak. You're constantly hearing about new things being added, such as the Photosphere feature in Android 4.2 letting people take 360 deg indoor pictures and attach them to buildings on Google Maps, or doing an underwater "Street View" at the Great Barrier Reef. Just a few weeks ago, 3D structures appeared on Google Maps for my parents' house in the suburban Midwest. Google Maps is constantly advancing.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#88

Post by Spooky23 »

hpagey wrote: post #13

Actually I think Apple won here. Google was refusing to release a turn by turn direction update to their apps. By developing an Apple Map App with turn by turn, they kind of forced GooG to provide it on iOS platform. Also, it is very difficult for google to ignore ios users.

Apple engineered a process that tarnished a major iOS release, broke a key function on the iPhone as smartphone competition started heating up, prompted the departure of key leaders and basically ceded control of mapping.

In exchange, they got Google to release their own maps app, which included features that Google refused to license to Apple previously, and gave Google a platform to sell ads and make money. So users get good maps + transit + turn by turn navigation at no cost.

Yup, sound likes an Apple win.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#89

Post by acchow »

bstar77 wrote: post #50

Edit: somehow I screwed up my response, should be a response to @kjackson2012. Apple's main issues are with their location information from TomTom. If apple is able to partner with a company with better data, these types of problems should not be nearly as bad. Here's where Apple's maps product is better... The maps are vector based so there is not such a huge dependence on a data connection. I live near the pine bar…

Google Maps is vector based. Are you perhaps talking about the original "Maps" app on iOS 5 (and below) which relied on Google data?

On Android, you can select regions of the map to save for offline use and the file sizes for entire cities are only a few MB.

I don't believe a "save for offline use" option is available for Google Maps for iOS yet.

Re: Google Maps becomes the App Store’s most popular free app in 7 hours

#90

Post by senthilnayagam »

Apple did not put beta on its app, and it eventually apologised and also fired a VP who was not willing to sign the apology .

google launches a map with beta warning and everybody going gaga on it, yeah their data set is better.

"Google Maps Navigation is in beta. Use caution.

Please keep your eyes on the road and obey applicable laws. Do not manipulate this application while in motion. Directions may be inaccurate, incomplete, dangerous, or prohibited.

Traffic data is not real-time, and location accuracy cannot be guaranteed"

I would love Apple to build self driving cars and display projecting to retina and bring it to market, instead of just announcing them like what google does

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