Is iOS 6 Maps A Disappointment, Or Understandable First Gen Product? [Let's Talk]

Buster

Since iOS 6 came out yesterday, everyone has been dog piling on the new Maps app talking about how terrible it is (us included). There's even an entire Tumlr dedicated to how badly it sucks. Is everyone being too hard on Apple for trying to build their own Maps platform? Or should Apple have kept Google Maps around?

What do you think? It seems like iOS Maps might be an understandable first step that will pay off for Apple big time in a couple of years, but do we really want to wait and have to use an inferior app for a few years while they try to get it right?

Sameh Safaa Fahmi

By all means, there are going to be growing pains with this. Google has been doing maps for a LOOOOOOOONG TIME. I expect that the app will get better quickly. Till then, I still have Waze and and MapQuest for maps/directions. Also, Google is going to have "Maps" as a stand alone app. So, relax people, and if you don't like the new "Maps" then relegate it to the back and use one that you like till the new one meets your wishes.

obis

I'm using my iPhone 4 and the new maps is waaaayyy better than google maps IMHO. It contains more relevant and up to date stats, like traffic.... I've never had any luck with google maps and traffic info. Points of interest are better and more comprehensive. Also the satellite images of locations seems to be more recent than google maps. The satellite images of my street look like they were taken early 2012 with the current ios 6 maps, google maps has not been updated in at least 3 years for my location. I'm very happy google maps is gone.

Bilbo_Biscotti

It seems as if the Internet tech tabloids are just waiting for Apple to make a move that isn't a home run. People piled on Siri as well. These are obviously first steps for Apple that will bear more fruit in time. This maps app has navigated me around San Francisco just fine in the last 24 hours.

ddevito

This is a great way to conclude Year 1 A.S. (After Steve), because this crappy product would have never debuted on its flagship product.

The_Network

Apple is a good product and Android is a good product, why so much hate. Some people prefer different colors, sizes and gadgets. No wonder this America is so divided; So much hate.

Feris

So i've just moved to London. I rely on Google Maps everyday for transit routes. I have to say i'm dissapointed but probably think Apple will eventually have transit maps for all. I'm just hoping Google pull their finger out and tell the world when they are releasing a new maps app. My new 5 arrives tomorrow with any luck but i don't think i'll use it till the new maps app is available.

seelee

This is clearly not a finished product. I don't miss Street View because I rarely found it useful (and it's a bit creepy). And the new routing apps take care of the public transit stuff. But the 3D is useless in areas where there are tall buildings but not a flyover option. Hopefully this is not the second coming of MobileMe (that comment is for all of you who say Steve Jobs would never let this happen).

Ed_Kel

I'm tired of hearing this Maps B.S. It works great in my area - just as good as Google maps. Take that and troll with it, @ddevito

T_mast_1027

I like the new maps of iOS 6 I think it's a good step. It seems like to me all te screen shots have come from another country other than the US but I could be wrong. I think that the turn by turn directions will help out a lot when I get my 5 it also looks better that google maps

iSteve

Stop barking around and give Apple time to fine tune the Maps App.

thisisjess

The biggest problem with maps is we are going backwards in features. where is public transit?

liverpoolaustin

Never really used Google Maps in the first place so don't know what I've been or will be missing. I've been hearing lots of talk about ppl disliking the new Apple Maps product, but are ppl really disappointed, or have these comments gone viral and have been picked up by various news agencies?

gg47

Digital mapping is one monumental undertaking, and requires a massive amount of time to accumulate and verify let alone constantly make updates available. Other services have years of experience and data available to them.
Given a little time (maybe eighteen months or so) Apple should be able to have a best in class system in place. If you are seriously disrupted by Apples current system there are many alternatives and workarounds available, street view replacements being an example.
I prefer to wait calmly for what will be an excellent outcome. Kudos to Apple for bringing another mapping application to the table.

RadTech5000

I think Apple's first attempt on a mapping system is a success I like it very much and have had no problems with it myself. I'm sure they will be issues to work out and Apple will release updates as soon as possible. My suggestion to everyone would be to just hang in there and give it some time.

Jason Frost

No, this map app is absolutely terrible. This is Apple people. Unlimited money and very, very smart people. They need to be completely embarrassed this is even on the iPhone. This has more to do with their pissy fight with Google than providing a good (even decent) product. I'm begging Google to make an app for iOS. Free or paid, it's going on my iPhone.

Luis Tamayo

I'm surprised Apple released a product that is obviously beta and not as full-featured (no transit routing?) as Google's map product. Google has had a huge head-start on mapping and I'm not surprised they eliminated Google's product entirely. If you cannot compete, eliminate the competition, right?
I use the map feature a lot. When I was in London recently I used the Google routing feature a lot to get around on transit. I'm pissed that Apple is releasing an inferior product and providing an inferior experience. Hopefully they can catch up. And if they don't I hope they can have the guts, as they did with Ping, to change course.

Luxlamf

I love that people love to talk as if the Google Maps app for iPhone was ever really any good. As a "Map" yes it was fine, turn by turn GPS? Terrible, unless you where the passenger and could stare at the blue dot making its way. GPS on iPhone belongs to WAZE and WAZE only, bets GPS I have seen, and its free. Living in Los Angeles The Fly OVer/3d option works in most the areas around me and detail looks great, especially on my iPad.

gplawhorn

I used the Apple Maps app (I'm a developer) during an 8,000 mile motorcycle trip this summer, and had no problems. My wife and I spent day walking in Boston, and thought it was better than the Google Maps app.

ddevito

Luxlamf said:

I love that people love to talk as if the Google Maps app for iPhone was ever really any good. As a "Map" yes it was fine, turn by turn GPS? Terrible, unless you where the passenger and could stare at the blue dot making its way. GPS on iPhone belongs to WAZE and WAZE only, bets GPS I have seen, and its free. Living in Los Angeles The Fly OVer/3d option works in most the areas around me and detail looks great, especially on my iPad.

Maps on iOS was outdated and only used Google APIs, turn by turn navigation has always been stellar on Android. Apple and Google were to blame for no iPhone navigation. I owned an iPhone 3G and HATED that there was no navigation.

ddevito

Kr00 said:

The_Network said:

Apple is a good product and Android is a good product, why so much hate. Some people prefer different colors, sizes and gadgets. No wonder this America is so divided; So much hate.

Phone worship is the new religion. When trolls pointedly go to an opposition weblog and troll their hatred and bias, they are in essence walking into someone else's church shouting down the faith of that church and spruking their own. People are entitled to their views, but don't come into my home and tell me what I'm supposed to think. Places like this are my "home" and trolls are just ignorant, rude, pathetic, small minded haters, who feel it their duty to shove their thoughts onto people who they know don't care for it, or appreciate it. Food for thought @ddevito. Would he let me into his home to shout down his admiration of all things android? No. No he wouldn't. Afford the people of this site, some respect. They don't come here to troll. Only sad, pathetic insecure individuals with inferiority complexes do.

Many iFans are too ignorant to see the pragmatic view. Face it Maps for iOS blows right now. I don't care how dedicated a fan you are. If you say otherwise you're lying.