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Google Maps for iPhone

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Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#31

Post by jonknee »

Osmium wrote: post #11
FireBeyond wrote: post #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 tha…

>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." But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or…

> But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or voice navigation, and Apple tried to get Google to work with them on that but (regardless of whose fault it was) negotiations failed. Now, here we are, and as an iPhone user I now have a Google Maps that not only has those features but is arguably, currently, better than the Android version(!)

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.

> Furthermore, there's now been an explosion of map apps on the app store: Nokia's Here, Waze, etc. Competition is good. In iOS 5, there weren't viable alternatives (or they weren't advertised?), but now I have four good map apps on my phone. And when one of them fails, and it will (even Google, which was useless for me when I visited Japan recently) I now have several alternatives. As a user, for me, it's a win win.

Waze was released in 2009. Nokia's Here is new, but most of the others that are popular in the store have been around quite some time. They "exploded" because Apple shafted its user base, it wasn't because of innovation.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#32

Post by w1ntermute »

thezilch wrote: post #25
Steko wrote: 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…

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 criticized, ready to defend them no matter what decision they've made.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#33

Post by jonknee »

Steko wrote: post #13
FireBeyond wrote: post #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 tha…

"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.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#34

Post by reidmain »

jonknee wrote: post #24
reidmain wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure upgrading was possible. The old maps app was actually made entirely by Apple while this new one is made entirely by Google. I can't imagine Apple would give a third-party a system level app. Just look at YouTube. The same reasons why Apple wouldn't package Google Maps with iOS are the same reasons Google wouldn't package iTunes with Android. You don't want to concede ground to your competition. Now if th…

> The same reasons why Apple wouldn't package Google Maps with iOS are the same reasons Google wouldn't package iTunes with Android. You don't want to concede ground to your competition. Now if they want to fight for it that is a entirely different story. Apple would never make iTunes for Android though, so it's an unfair comparison. I have every reason to believe that Google would be willing to have its Maps applica…

Oh of course Google would want it's application to be the default. Who wouldn't? It is free users.

To my knowledge pure Google Android doesn't package any third-party apps that tap into third-party services which compete with Google. I'm happy that they don't block any apps from being added to the marketplace and for the most part I am happy with Apple for that same stance as well.

I have Chrome, Gmail and Google Maps alongside Safari, Mail and Maps now. Heck even Google Voice competes with Siri. This is only making my life as a iOS user better.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#35

Post by reidmain »

Steko wrote: 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.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#36

Post by reidmain »

untog wrote: post #21
czhiddy wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How so? You can use the phone just fine without an Apple account - you just won't be able to download any apps. Bookmarks in Maps works without having to sign into anything.

Last time I bought an iPhone I had to activate it with an Apple account as soon as I turned it on. Maybe that's changed.

It has always been an option. If you get your phone activated in store it is working the moment you walk out with no input on the customers part.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#37

Post by reidmain »

mikeryan wrote: post #9
chucknelson wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Garmin and TomTom must be shitting themselves. I can't imagine how many people are just going to be using their smartphones in the next few years. Even built in nav consoles for the latest BMWs can't hold a candle to these apps.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#38

Post by jonknee »

reidmain wrote: post #34
jonknee wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The same reasons why Apple wouldn't package Google Maps with iOS are the same reasons Google wouldn't package iTunes with Android. You don't want to concede ground to your competition. Now if they want to fight for it that is a entirely different story. Apple would never make iTunes for Android though, so it's an unfair comparison. I have every reason to believe that Google would be willing to have its Maps applica…

Oh of course Google would want it's application to be the default. Who wouldn't? It is free users. To my knowledge pure Google Android doesn't package any third-party apps that tap into third-party services which compete with Google. I'm happy that they don't block any apps from being added to the marketplace and for the most part I am happy with Apple for that same stance as well. I have Chrome, Gmail and Google Map…

> To my knowledge pure Google Android doesn't package any third-party apps that tap into third-party services which compete with Google.

"Pure" Google Android doesn't package anything, to get the Google applications you need to make a deal with Google. If you were able to convince Apple to make an iTunes Android app you could certainly ship it by default on a phone. Real life example: some devices from AT&T ship with "AT&T Navigation" which competes with Google's kit.

Even better would be if Apple ported its maps app to Android and offered it to anyone who wants to ship it by default. I predict a grand total of 0 devices from a large brand would ship with it.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#39

Post by justizin »

jonknee wrote: post #31
Osmium wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>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." But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or…

> But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or voice navigation, and Apple tried to get Google to work with them on that but (regardless of whose fault it was) negotiations failed. Now, here we are, and as an iPhone user I now have a Google Maps that not only has those features but is arguably, currently, better than the Android version(!) The lack of innovation was exclusively Ap…

"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."

Actually, Eric Schmidt left the Apple Board and soured the relationship as soon as Android approached a real priority for Google, and Google's choice to revoke free Maps API access destroyed the iOS Maps user experience (I often was advertised restaurants when trying to find the location of a job interview, for instance).

Apple could not have launched a new iOS and phone with the existing Maps experience. They didn't shaft anyone.

FWIW, I still think Apple's Maps are better, it took me a couple weeks to decide to take the dive, but I've been happy with it, and neither Apple Maps or Google Maps offer cycling directions, which IMO is the only major advantage of Google's data set in my life.

Re: Google Maps for iPhone

#40

Post by danilocampos »

jonknee wrote: post #31
Osmium wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>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." But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or…

> But it's true. In iOS 5 I had Google Maps but no vector tiles, no turn-by-turn or voice navigation, and Apple tried to get Google to work with them on that but (regardless of whose fault it was) negotiations failed. Now, here we are, and as an iPhone user I now have a Google Maps that not only has those features but is arguably, currently, better than the Android version(!) The lack of innovation was exclusively Ap…

> 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 and transit routing.

Apple wanted turn-by-turn and vector maps.

Google wanted ads, prominent Google branding and way more user data.

Neither side would give ground. So they hit an impasse. That's it.

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