Apple Maps

Limited manpower blamed for crappy Apple Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

In case you haven't already known this yet, the Apple-designed iOS 6 Maps app is off to a slow start amid reports of inaccurate data sets, missing or incorrect places, lack of built-in transit data and lacking navigational features in general. Simply put, Apple Maps have a long way to go before taking Google Maps head on.

According to one cartography expert, much of the woes with Apple Maps could be traced back to Apple's lack of qualified engineers and spatial data teams. The company should also look into acquiring major mapping data providers and be more active in crowdsourcing via a dedicated service to allow people to more easily improve the quality of data, akin to TomTom's MapShare service...

How you can help make the new Maps app better

Cody Lee ∙ September 21, 2012

As you've probably noticed, Apple has been taking a lot of criticism over the new Maps application in iOS 6. Google Maps has been replaced in the software, in favor of Apple's own in-house mapping solution. And for most people it's just not up to snuff.

The company commented on the criticism yesterday, telling AllThingsD that because it's a cloud-based solution, Maps will get better as more people use it. But if you aren't buying that, or just want to speed the process along, here's what to do...

Google submits iOS Maps app, hopes to have it approved before Christmas

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours, you are aware that crappy Apple Maps in iOS 6 provoked a very public backlash. We told you earlier today that a Google executive hinted in a brief interview with Bloomberg TV that iPhone 5 users can go download Google Maps, an unusual wording given that a rumored native Google Maps app couldn't be found on the App Store yet.

Adding fuel to fire, The Guardian newspaper reports that Google submitted the program and that it is now in Apple's sole discretion to approve it. Whether or not club Cupertino greenlights the nsoftware or throws it down the toilet over duplicate functionality remains to be seen.

At any rate, a native Google Maps experience akin to the recently released YouTube app would be more than welcome given the controversial downgrade that is Apple's in-house mapping solution in iOS 6...

Apple Maps and Passbook could push 2012 App Store revenue to $4.9 billion

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

An interesting unintended consequence of a downgrade that is Apple Maps in iOS 6: people will grow to rely on transit apps and other third-party software to help get back some of the Google Maps functionality (until Google releases a widely rumored standalone iOS Google Maps app).

And with Passbook debuting in iOS 6, we should increasingly download and use shopping programs (like the Target app) that produce Passbook-compatible coupons, invoices, loyalty points, tickets and other digital items.

As a result of the new Passbook functionality and lacking Maps experience in iOS 6, cumulative App Store revenue for the calendar year 2012 could top nearly five billion dollars, a research firm has forecast...

Google tells iPhone 5 users to go download Google Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 19, 2017

Apple is suffering harsh criticism over its in-house mapping solution in iOS 6 which has for better or worse effectively replaced a Google Maps-backend. Apple Maps have been called a disaster waiting to happen and even pundit John Gruber called the system a downgrade. With more than 65 percent of the world's population left with no transit directions, traffic data and street-level imagery, Apple Maps understandably drew ire from users around the world.

No wonder nearly 85 percent of our readers think Google should write a native Maps app for iOS, just as it's done with the excellent YouTube iOS app. Commenting on the situation, Google UK Marketing Director Dan Cobley asserted that a standalone app could be released soon...

Poll: should Google write native iOS Maps app?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Coincidentally or not, The New York Times reports that Google will update its Maps for Android app today with new features, just as Apple is prepping to release iOS 6 for public consumption. iOS 6, as you know, drops a Google Maps-backend in favor of Apple's own mapping solution. But Apple Maps are lacking in several areas.

For example, with Apple Maps users don't get as high quality satellite imagery as with Google. Street-level photography is non-existent and transit directions are provided via dedicated App Store apps. And although Apple partners with local providers for accurate data, it currently cannot match Google, which has manpower and assets to collect its own data (and has been doing so for years).

But while Google released a standalone YouTube app for iOS following Apple's removal of the stock app, the search Goliath stopped short of saying whether a standalone Maps app is in the works for iOS devices. With this in mind, we've put together a little poll so place your bets now...

Apple Maps to integrate Russian Yandex’s data in iOS 6, report says

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 17, 2012

Google's relationship with Apple may be on borrowed time. Apple Maps, set to appear soon in iOS 6, will reportedly use a local company's data Yandex to provide location-search details in Russia. A developer version of iOS 6 will send users to Yandex.Maps for further information regarding locations.

A search of Vladimir Lenin's Mausoleum, for instance, gets "more details on Yandex.Maps application or offers to download Yandex.Maps from App Store if the user doesn't have it installed," a Russian developer now using iOS 6 tells Bloomberg.

Apple’s 3D maps look much better than Google’s

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 9, 2012

Google, in an attempt to outshine one of the worst kept secrets in the industry at the time — Apple's 3D Maps announcement at WWDC 2012 — hastily put together its own presser 5 days in advance, to announce their entry into the "next dimension" of maps.

That's all water under the bridge now (see what I did there?), and both companies have 3D technology incorporated in their apps — Google, with Google Earth, and Apple, with Maps for iOS 6.

Obviously Apple's maps update is still in beta, and Google just recently released their Google Earth upgrade, but which 3D building implementation looks better up to this point? The answer might surprise you...

Apple to bring iOS 6 Maps to Macs?

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 9, 2012

Having ditched Google Maps in favor of its in-house mapping solution in iOS 6, Apple could now be extending iOS 6 Maps to Macs running OS X Mountain Lion. This would seem logical and inevitable given Apple recently confirmed the use of OpenStreetMap data in iPhoto for both iOS and Mac. Apple conceivably has the maps.apple.com subdomain set up, which currently redirects to the iOS 6 section on its website...

Amazon takes on Apple and Google, snaps up 3D mapping startup UpNext

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

While you were away: not to be outclassed by Apple or Google, online retailer Amazon has just entered the mapping business by allegedly acquiring a mapping startup UpNext, according to an exclusive GigaOM report. The New York-based company is behind an interesting three-dimensional mapping app for iOS devices, UpNext Maps for iPhone and UpNext HD Maps for iPad (Android and Kindle versions are also available).

Both free downloads, these programs offer both the traditional map view, but also have built-in deals and social features and offline mode. There's also a three-dimensional view with models of more than 50 cities in the United States. Something tells me the apps will soon be gone from the App Store as Amazon makes these exclusive to its own tablet...

How to enable 3D maps on older devices

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 28, 2017

One of the biggest new features of iOS 6 is the new reinvigorated Maps app, which no longer relies on data from Google. The new Maps app also features turn-by-turn directions, and 3D capabilities.

Sadly, for owners of older devices like the iPhone 4 or the iPhone 3GS, you'll get the new Maps app sans 3D capabilities or turn-by-turn directions. As usual, the jailbreak community has come through with a solution to at least one of the omissions — 3D maps.

Check inside as we walk you through adding 3D maps to your officially unsupported older device...

Ask Jeff Episode 02 – That’s the company line

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated May 5, 2014

It's been a long time, but we've finally posted a new episode of Ask Jeff for your viewing pleasure. In this episode we discuss features from iOS 6, whether of not it's wise to upgrade to the iOS 6 beta, and various topics surrounding jailbreaking.

We've also decided to do something new this time around — taking questions via phone call. A very interesting discussion resides inside, be sure not to miss it...