Live data from Hacker News

Google Maps for iPhone

daringfireball.net

51–60 of 64 posts

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#51
post #33
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Except the reality is that his last sentence should end ", no thanks to Apple"." If Apple doesn't build it's own Maps, we still have the old shittier maps app though right? Gruber in May: "This is a high-pressure switch for Apple. Regressions will not be acceptable. The purported whiz-bang 3D view stuff might be great, but users are going to have pitchforks and torches in hand if practical stuff like driving and wal…

> If Apple doesn't build it's own Maps, we still have the old shittier maps app though right? Apple was unwilling to negotiate with Google because they are upset over Android. Apple could certainly have improved its existing Maps app if they were willing to play ball with Google. They weren't and now they look even more ridiculous because every iOS user can plainly see that Apple is worse at mapping than Google.

> Apple was unwilling to negotiate with Google because they are upset over Android. Apple could certainly have improved its existing Maps app if they were willing to play ball with Google.

You speak like you have authoritative information on the negotiations between Apple and Google on maps. Your comment could be taken seriously if you backed it up with sources, instead of dressing up your personal opinion to sound like a fact.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps, for example. Among other things, Apple is responsible for the old, shitty map, and they are responsible for not getting Google more native integration and having NIH syndrome. Plainly, "thanks to Apple," iOS6 Maps is a failure, and it is a huge misstep for one of (of two) the world's flagship mobile-OS.

> you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps And this is thanks to Apple's own my-way-or-the-highway design decisions with iOS. It's amazing how people still put up with not being able to change default application settings in iOS. Then again, that goes to show you how strong the RDF still is. Apple fanbois like Steko continue to come out of the woodwork any time Apple gets criticiz…

"Apple fanbois like Steko continue to come out of the woodwork any time Apple gets criticized, ready to defend them no matter what decision they've made."

Me in this thread, 30 min before your post:

"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."

...

"fanbois like Steko"

Christ, what an asshole.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#53
post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The lack of innovation was exclusively Apple's fault. They neglected to update its Google Maps powered app and decided to enter into war with Google at the detriment to Apple customers. If Steve Jobs hadn't gone nuclear on Google, the Maps debacle would never have happened. From what body cavity have you pulled this? At this point the calculus is pretty well understood. Apple's license covered bitmap tiles, traffic…

> Google wanted more prominent branding and way more user data. So yes, Apple decided that it would drop Google. They were in a tough spot, hating Google with every breath but then relying on them for mapping, but it was a bed that they made. Considering that the YouTube and Google Maps applications rocketed to the top of the store instantly , do you think Apple was concerned about its users or concerned about sticki…

Well, I want google mapping data but without the ads and without it asking me to log in ever.

I would also like YouTube with no ads. I just don't use the Google YouTube app anymore.

I'm all for Apple trying to keep device ad free.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#54
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps, for example. Among other things, Apple is responsible for the old, shitty map, and they are responsible for not getting Google more native integration and having NIH syndrome. Plainly, "thanks to Apple," iOS6 Maps is a failure, and it is a huge misstep for one of (of two) the world's flagship mobile-OS.

"No, you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps, for example." I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find what this is replying to. "Among other things, Apple is responsible for the old, shitty map" Which was wildly lauded when it came out and later stagnated due to mutual differences. "they are responsible for not getting Google more native integration" Seems like there were two parties i…

I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find how Google is to blame for the shortcomings of pre-iOS6 maps. Google didn't develop it. Google didn't poorly integrate it with the OS. So yes, absolutely, "If Apple doesn't build it's own [new and still shitty] Maps, we still have the old shittier maps app[, thanks to Apple,] though right?" Even STILL, there is no integration point for Google -- anyone that has bested Apple's offering(s) -- to integrate with the user's device. Only one party can change this involvement, everyone else is waiting with baited breath.

Apple should absolutely be scolded for what they sold to their users. Maps are one of, if not the most, important feature of a smartphone. Can you return your phone over it? They failed. Google is offering their's for "free."

Google couldn't be persuaded (or allowed) to commit code to native iOS? They couldn't be bought? I fail to see how they had the option to power anything, when they are willing to offer a superior solution for FREE!

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#55
post #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.

Jailbreaking will never go mainstream. It has never been easy and/or safe enough for that. Just like how a small percentage of Android users root their phones. However "remote controllers" in iOS 6 are definitely the precursor to the Android intents. It will be interesting to see if they make it into iOS 7 as a public API.

"Jailbreaking will never go mainstream"

My understanding is that it's already mainstream for carriers to jailbreak phones for customers in many countries.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#56
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps And this is thanks to Apple's own my-way-or-the-highway design decisions with iOS. It's amazing how people still put up with not being able to change default application settings in iOS. Then again, that goes to show you how strong the RDF still is. Apple fanbois like Steko continue to come out of the woodwork any time Apple gets criticiz…

"Apple fanbois like Steko continue to come out of the woodwork any time Apple gets criticized, ready to defend them no matter what decision they've made." Me in this thread, 30 min before your post: "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." ... "fanbois…

You only reinforced your reputation with that post. You made it clear that you think that people's response to Apple not fixing iOS's "most glaring weakness" will be to jailbreak, and not to leave iOS for greener pastures. Tell me again, what's the difference between Gruber's biased rhetoric and your own?

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#57
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"No, you still can't easily highlight-open / link addresses to open in Google Maps, for example." I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find what this is replying to. "Among other things, Apple is responsible for the old, shitty map" Which was wildly lauded when it came out and later stagnated due to mutual differences. "they are responsible for not getting Google more native integration" Seems like there were two parties i…

I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find how Google is to blame for the shortcomings of pre-iOS6 maps. Google didn't develop it. Google didn't poorly integrate it with the OS. So yes, absolutely, "If Apple doesn't build it's own [new and still shitty] Maps, we still have the old shittier maps app[, thanks to Apple,] though right?" Even STILL, there is no integration point for Google -- anyone that has bested Apple's offer…

I love how one of the straw men here is actually inserted in brackets along with a quote from me.

"I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find how Google is to blame for the shortcomings of pre-iOS6 maps."

I'm trying, unsuccessfully, to find where someone is "blaming Google".

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#58
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Apple fanbois like Steko continue to come out of the woodwork any time Apple gets criticized, ready to defend them no matter what decision they've made." Me in this thread, 30 min before your post: "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." ... "fanbois…

You only reinforced your reputation with that post. You made it clear that you think that people's response to Apple not fixing iOS's "most glaring weakness" will be to jailbreak, and not to leave iOS for greener pastures. Tell me again, what's the difference between Gruber's biased rhetoric and your own?

"You only reinforced your reputation with that post."

Because nothing says "Apple fanboi" like unprompted criticism of iOS. Spoilers: internet checkmate.

"You made it clear that you think that people's response to Apple not fixing iOS's "most glaring weakness" will be to jailbreak, and not to leave iOS for greener pastures."

I did not "make that clear", I gave one result which I think will be common. Some people will certainly leave too, and I could well be one of them (cmon Nexus 7 LTE) but you give up more of whatever you like about the platform by leaving than by jailbreaking so you'd have to value intents and contracts somewhat more.

Despite you repeatedly calling me a "fanboi" I have no special loyalty to Apple. Before I got my 4S almost a year ago I gave my wife my 3GS and used her shitty sony-ericson flip phone for 6 months and I was fine with that. I used Macs in college and despite liking them and abhoring Microsoft at that time the last 5 machines I've bought have all been PCs which I've been very satisfied with. If I was going to buy a new desktop today it would certainly be a pc. A new laptop? I suspect an ultrabook but it might be a retina MBP. In the same way I like the iphone but I don't stand in line on release day nor do I buy every one nor do I expect to always buy iphones or even phones in the future. The iphones I've bought have always been because, when I went to buy phones, it was the best phone. Now reasonable people may disagree with that assessment but there's also no shortage of objective evidence that supports it.

"Tell me again, what's the difference between Gruber's biased rhetoric and your own?"

I'll answer right after you let us know, have you stopped beating your wife?

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#59
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jailbreaking will never go mainstream. It has never been easy and/or safe enough for that. Just like how a small percentage of Android users root their phones. However "remote controllers" in iOS 6 are definitely the precursor to the Android intents. It will be interesting to see if they make it into iOS 7 as a public API.

"Jailbreaking will never go mainstream" My understanding is that it's already mainstream for carriers to jailbreak phones for customers in many countries.

Really? I think you mean unlocking. Carriers are usually content producers and jailbreaking is mostly done for piracy reasons so I'd be surprised if carriers are onboard.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah if you want to divorce yourself completely from the business side of things I understand that perspective. I would not however expect a company to do something that would harm them just to please me. They are a business trying to make money to survive. Doesn't matter if it is a massive company or small startup. EDIT: Ideally I would have like the Google app to have come out a lot quicker than it did so the trans…

The business side of things? The business side of things is people paying premium money to Apple for what they expect to be a premium experience.

And for the most part I've got that. I can count on one hand the number of bad experiences I've had with Apple products. I also guess I lucked out a bit because the iOS 6 maps worked fine for me but I do live in Canada's largest city so that is probably a factor.

I've converted dozens of people over to Apple and no one has complained that they should have gone to Android or stayed with Windows.

Post reply on HN