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Google Maps vs. iOS6 Maps side by side. [x-post from r/apple] (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by vvarpidgeon

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[–]iwsfutcmd 84 points85 points ago

I can't but help think that Apple is really fucking themselves over by dropping Google Maps. There's no one with even close to the amount of data that Google has, so there's no way they could even get close to competing in this department. People are just going to be clamoring for Google Maps soon enough.

By the way, is Google Maps even downloadable as an app in the new version of iOS?

[–]Brocklesocks 11 points12 points ago

I'm willing to bet that it was early release because of something either legal or from a contract ending. Or maybe they just really hate Google now?

[–]gullevek 22 points23 points ago

Their contract where Google allows Apple to use their Map API ended. Simple as that.

[–]manwithabadheart 19 points20 points ago

And instead of simply negotiating a new contract, they decided to compete directly against them and literally remove features from iOS.

[–]ZiggyTheHamster 17 points18 points ago

However, they spin the removal by making it sound like they added features.

[–]iEzhik 5 points6 points ago

well do you seriously expect a company at all to come out and say that a feature will be ruined in their next update

[–]Kung120 10 points11 points ago

I dont expect a company to ruin a feature in their next update. At all.

[–]ElRed_ 4 points5 points ago

Unless they're Apple where they tell you what you should have on a phone.

[–]weside73 0 points1 point ago

Not apple at least.

[–]TMM 4 points5 points ago

we don't really know who decided to end the contract

[–]gullevek -1 points0 points ago

And literally screwed everything up and everyone over. Honestly, only Apple can make such a bullshit move and people will still praise them as innovative. Imagine Microsoft or some other company doing that.

[–]jamfest 1 point2 points ago

Wasn't it to do with Google introducing a charge for excessive usage of the maps API?

[–]jrupac 4 points5 points ago

Yeah but then shortly after that they reduced the price by a factor of 8. I think this is more related to a licensing contract that was close to expiring.

[–]douglasr007 1 point2 points ago

That's exactly the reason.

A lot of other companies had to ditch Google Maps. I know foursquare had to.

[–]anonymous1 0 points1 point ago

I still have Google maps on my droid foursquare app.

[–]douglasr007 1 point2 points ago

Yes because foursquare uses the default map app on your phone to show your location when you check in. They removed Google Maps API from their website and they now use OpenStreetMap.

[–]anonymous1 0 points1 point ago

That's interesting that they've kicked it from their website. I guess it'll really blow on IOS then when they're using apple maps and it shows them . . . huh?

[–]Antrikshy 3 points4 points ago

There doesn't seem to be an iOS app right now. It should come soon though. Google cannot abandon this huge amount of traffic that comes from iOS users.

[–]rebmem -2 points-1 points ago

They certainly could. The way Google Maps was implemented in iOS had very little revenue potential for Google.

[–]salvage 0 points1 point ago

Google is playing the long game with its Maps product. Smartphone adoption still has a long way to climb, as well as screen sizes. There will be a lot of revenue to be had, eventually.

[–]rebmem 2 points3 points ago

No doubt, this is the same strategy they use in many other products. The real question is "Is it worth not releasing Google Maps for iPhone as an incentive to get people to move to Android?"

[–]Antrikshy 0 points1 point ago

I still saw sponsored locations occasionally, especially after I came to the US. But it's always good to have people using your service.

Anyways, now that they have a way to capitalize on all these iOS users even better with their standalone app, they simply can't let go of this.

[–]rebmem 0 points1 point ago

I'm sure they will release an app for iOS. I was just making a point that there is a possibility of them leaving the platform temporarily. I'd imagine that Google would want to weigh the possibility of leaving Apple's maps to user complaints for a while, possibly offering an incentive for users to choose Android over iOS. Once the complaints against Apple Maps settles down, I can't see any reason for Google to not release their maps as a stand alone app.

[–]Antrikshy 0 points1 point ago

Ohh yeah. That's a great idea. They'll have to weigh their profits and think this through quickly.

[–]rebmem 0 points1 point ago

I don't see them holding out for long unless they have a new Nexus phone on the way to shake things up again. I don't think they make enough profits from iOS maps to care too much, but they also have to consider that staving off from releasing the app may lower the number of potential downloads as people get comfortable with Apple's offerings, as we have all seen that most people with iPhones don't really know anything when it comes to judging services and apps.

[–]Pugovitz 1 point2 points ago

I don't think the majority of people will really notice and it won't impact sales much; "map details" isn't exactly something the average consumer thinks about.

[–]marshmallowhug 1 point2 points ago

I went with Android partly because of google's maps and navigation system, and I live in NYC and can navigate using only a subway map.

[–]Hatious 0 points1 point ago

I agree, people don't often think about something like map details. It's largely because people have come to expect a certain amount of accurate and detailed information from a map - it's simply there. Unfortunately Apple's solution falls short in this respect and is going to be noticed.

[–]ddrt -1 points0 points ago

The Verge says that they will update and release soon

There was something about the API not being able to be used. If you read back in their articles you can see what happened but it's done, doesn't matter anymore.

[–]Synes_Godt_Om 121 points122 points ago

So apple once again went for smplicity and got rid of all the clutter. LOL

[–]black_house 45 points46 points ago

Magical

[–]jhc1415 -3 points-2 points ago

In this case I think they simplified it too much. What if I am on that campus and want to know where a certain building is? Another thing I don't get is why the roads are different between the two? Is apple unable to distinguish between a walking path and an actual road?

[–]flamingcow 17 points18 points ago

I believe you missed the sarcasm. Or I am being expertly trolled.

[–]sparr 2 points3 points ago

Like anything else Apple, Steve's ghost doesn't need that feature, so neither do you.

[–]fatshiteater -1 points0 points ago

I think if you zoom in more, you'll see the buildings. The poor data density is annoying though.

[–]ruaidhri 13 points14 points ago

Irish government Ministers are also weighing in on how crap iO6 Maps is.

[–]gentthaci 5 points6 points ago

Apple is using OpenStreetMap for their maps which is a great thing but they are not using the current OSM Maps (I don't know the reason why). The older one they're using aren't populated that much. U.S. at least has roads but for example if you search "Prishtina" which is the capital of Kosovo you will see nothing. But if you go to http://osm.org "Prishtina" is way better.

My 5 cents!

[–]stormeen 10 points11 points ago

You're obviously holding it wrong.

[–]Brudus 5 points6 points ago

Mapquest wil rise again!

[–]shln 17 points18 points ago

Apple doesn't have a clue about what they are doing now.

[–]Synes_Godt_Om 0 points1 point ago

They're trying to repeat what they did to flash, of course, there is a minor difference.

[–]Lurking_Grue 3 points4 points ago

I love the Hoover dam Roller coaster:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mannqjzt3v1rhptwbo1_1280.png

[–]BWalker19 2 points3 points ago

The Google Maps app on iOS was terrible compared to Androids version. It just looked bad and it had dozens of features missing and missing many important ones like navigation, which i only recently found out and was shocked that the iPhone, the worlds best selling phone, didnt have navigation.

Maybe now that Google will release their proper maps app to iOS and it will be similar to Android, wont mind it being a little behind though :)

[–]IClogToilets 31 points32 points ago

The Maps app in 5.0 and earlier was written by Apple not Google. It simply used Google data. If it was terrible, blame Apple not Google. But this does now free Google to create a competitive map app for iOS.

[–]SrsSteel 0 points1 point ago

Would google make an equal app for ios? They just need to make it better than the apple maps so not to drive away their own users

[–]BWalker19 0 points1 point ago

I wasnt blaming Google at all. I know that Apple pretty much had most things to do the the app at least.

[–]Synes_Godt_Om 7 points8 points ago

If useful maps are important to you, just don't buy an iphone. I think it's that simple.

[–]BWalker19 1 point2 points ago

Well there are navigation apps that you can get so its not a total loss. But i think Google Maps on Android is easily the best and is several times better than the next best maps app.

[–]Synes_Godt_Om -1 points0 points ago

Yeah, that's the sad thing about this whole mess. Big companies taking their customers hostage.

[–]syrionguy 2 points3 points ago

Apple wrote the app, Google provided the data. Navigation was not there since their agreement didn't cover it

[–]sk_leb 1 point2 points ago

If you're looking for navigation on the iPhone, hands down I enjoy Waze. I've been using it for a while now and it's much better than any other nav product I've used.

[–]billchase2 0 points1 point ago

Fantastic choice of location. Go Falcons!

And while I'm sure Apple is working on improving their Maps app, I'm really banking on a Google Maps app in the App Store.

[–]JLishere 1 point2 points ago

McKayla is not impressed by iOS6 Maps: http://imgur.com/a/gpkTP

[–]transisto 0 points1 point ago

So funny,, thanks

[–]corporaterebel -1 points0 points ago

All that extra stuff is unnecessary and there is nothing to question.

iUsers know is that Apple is the answer, the only answer and will always be the only answer.

[–]cor315 1 point2 points ago

I disagree, something this noticeable can change the way regular users see the iPhone. It one of the biggest reasons people use smartphones. If it doesn't work then you complain until it does or just switch.

[–]vvarpidgeon[S] 1 point2 points ago

Not sure if serious or....

If serious, have you ever been lost on a college campus trying to find the right building? It can be a nightmare...

[–]corporaterebel 1 point2 points ago

not serious.

I find the iPhone to be an amazingly marketed device: it costs more over time, does less and is for the smart artsy crowd.

[–]vvarpidgeon[S] 0 points1 point ago

Agreed. Upvote for you sir.

[–][deleted] ago

[deleted]

[–]syrionguy 3 points4 points ago

Proof or it didn't happen

[–]Khorv 0 points1 point ago

Lets see.

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