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Google Maps for iPhone

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Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#3
I don't have an issue with signing in with my Google Creds because I get direct benefit. It saves all my searches, and can quickly pull up previous searches (unsure if the App does this already). and can auto fill the fields. When typing on a virtual keyboard (which cripples me compared to a slide out), things that allow me to reduce typing make me happy.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#6
Leave it to Gruber to try to spin this pro-Apple: "This iOS 6 mapping saga has been a source of tremendous controversy, but here we are three months after iOS 6 was released and iPhone users now have a better Google Maps experience than they did when Google was providing the back-end data for the built-in Maps app. It all worked out."

Almost like Apple planned it that way is the implication.

Except the reality is that his last sentence should end ", no thanks to Apple".

"I consider Apple’s new Maps the better-designed app, but this new Google Maps is very good. And Google’s advantage in search accuracy goes without saying."

You can almost hear him gritting his teeth as he types this, not quite able to give up Apple just yet. "Apple wins (for me) in design, but everything else is Google. But I can't bring myself to explicitly say 'this is the better app'."

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#7
> ... here we are three months after iOS 6 was released and iPhone users now have a better Google Maps experience than they did when Google was providing the back-end data for the built-in Maps app. It all worked out.

Gruber's feats of mental gymnastics are second to none.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#8
I don't use nav apps daily like many do but it seems to be a given that most heavy users will move to Google Maps as their permanent solution. This can only bring more and more focus onto iOS's most glaring weakness: the lack of contracts/intents/services. If the next version of iOS doesn't have it I think you will see jailbreaking go mainstream.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#9

Google wins, Apple wins, users win (not right after the release of iOS 6, but still). In general, the decision to remove the old Maps app was good.

Agreed. The only losers here are the sub-par map app developers who will now see much fewer downloads.

Between this and the turn by turn introduced by Apple, it might have completely killed the turn by turn directions mobile app market on iOS. Even quality (as opposed to sub-par) are going to have a hard time competing against free.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#10

Leave it to Gruber to try to spin this pro-Apple: "This iOS 6 mapping saga has been a source of tremendous controversy, but here we are three months after iOS 6 was released and iPhone users now have a better Google Maps experience than they did when Google was providing the back-end data for the built-in Maps app. It all worked out." Almost like Apple planned it that way is the implication. Except the reality is tha…

Almost like Apple planned it that way is the implication.

That may be what you infer, but I don't agree that it's what he implies.

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