AppleInsider › Forums › Mobile › iPhone › Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes to customers for Maps in iOS 6
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes to customers for Maps in iOS 6 - Page 2

post #41 of 371
9/28/12 at 6:57am
why?... the maps are not that bad... please just let this be a pr stunt...

so the "map" data (not the Satellite data/pictures) is so bad that Apple has to Apologize?... what ever did people do before the iPhone?.
Does not everybody have a standalone GPS?.

Like Google has a chance...
Reply
Reply
post #42 of 371
9/28/12 at 6:57am
Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do
Reply
Reply
post #43 of 371
9/28/12 at 6:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post

Hmm....not sure what I think about this. Cook apologizing and telling users to use a competitors product is a bit embarrassing.
Once you start apologizing where does it stop? Already there's clowns out there asking when Apple is going to apologize for "scuff gate" and ear pods that don't fit their ears. This is one of the curses of being at the top (in terms of market cap and profits). Everyone and their mother wants to bring you down. And every mistake or imperfection gets blown up like crazy.
I read dozens of iPhone 5 reviews, some prior to launch and most after launch, and there was one, maybe two at most, that mentioned anything about a scuffed phone. Yet we have scuff gate and people wanting Cook to apologize for it. I'm seeing complaints that the phone is too thin and light and thus feels cheap. Yet earlier this year when the new iPad came out people bitched because it was ever so slightly thicker and heavier. Now they're bitching that the iPhone is too light. No matter what Apple does these days someone will complain about it.

It's true some people will always find something to bitch about but there are things that some people have more legitimate reasons to not be happy with a switch. iOS 6 Maps is one of them because they could still have the same iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad and simply update their phone's OS. Any new HW is a purchase they can not only return but will hopefully read up on if they are going to buy.

OS updates are much more whimsical. We tend to trust them implicitly. We don't expect features to be removed when we update. There is also the inability to go back to iOS 5 once you update, although if you pressed this matter with Apple I bet you could get them to do so on a one-to-oe basis.

"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"

Reply

"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"

Reply
post #44 of 371
9/28/12 at 6:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffDM View Post


There is a button in the app to report problems. If the old app had such a button, I wish I had known about it, because updates happen all the time and businesses do move.
The Android image showed the satellite view, the ad seems to suggest that iOS doesn't offer them, when they clearly do.

So Jeff what are you saying. Tim Cook wants the Apple iphone users to be the beta testers for this not ready for prime time mapping program?

If that is the case they should have included it as a bonus program as part of OS6 and still given users full access to Google maps.

As an Apple stock holder his apology means nothing. Its offering me a drink with an empty glass.

If he truly wants people to move forward he needs to bring back the Google App period end of story.

Reply
Reply
post #45 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:00am
The only problems I had with iOS 6 Maps is when updated the software on my iPhone 4. After I switched to the iPhone 5 I haven't had any problems at all.
Reply
Reply
post #46 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post

Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do


I just wanted to say thank you for not being the CEO of Apple, Inc.

"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"

Reply

"Blank! BLANK! You're not looking at the big picture!"

Reply
post #47 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:01am

I suppose that is a tad shorter than an earlier draft...

Quote:

To our customers, [ i.e., people who actually buy our stuff, the rest of you can shut up until you actually use our products then you can speak]

 

At Apple, we

strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers.

 

With the launch of our new Maps last week,

we fell short on this commitment [ we released the foundation for what will become the de facto standard in mapping and navigation on mobile devices, if you don't believe me just dig through the archives for all the nay-sayers that surrounded the release of the original iPod and iPad for example. Perhaps we should institute penalties similar to sports, if a journalist or analyst makes a prediction that turns out to be wildly inaccurate, they are banned from disseminating any opinion via any method for a period of time. But I digress from the topic at hand].

 

We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused [ a tiny percentage of ] our customers [ and those in the media who did not learn in kindergarten that if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all ] and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

 

We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps [ than our restrictive and exorbitant contract with Google would allow ] including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, [ and have total control over the entire user experience ] we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up.

 

There are already more than 100 million iOS devices using the new Apple Maps, with more and more joining us every day [ eventually you will be assimilated ]. In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations [ with nearly one quarter of those not just playing around to see what the app could do]. The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you.

 

While we're improving Maps,  [ Alternative options to our previous Google based Maps App have been available for some time, and have demonstrated that features such as turn-by-turn can be provided without Google's nonsense, check out these options ] you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or [ if prefer the Google-flavored Kool-Aid you can ] use Google maps or Nokia maps [ who knew Nokia even had an online mapping solution ] by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app [ or if you are not one of the 0.1% of whiners out there you can use our new Maps App and be amazed at the progress we make over time ].

 

Everything we do at Apple

is aimed at making [ makes ] our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard [ and yes if Steve were still in charge, heads would roll, but I'd prefer to let our developers learn from their mistakes, besides, who wants to go job hunting with their latest project described as "Caused a major uproar over a few minor but glaring shortcomings"].

 

Tim Cook

Apple's CEO

 

 

 

 

Reply
Reply
post #48 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:01am

The best solution for me would be a choice in the maps app of the background data, like safari offers in search.

I wanted dsadsa bit it was taken.
Reply
I wanted dsadsa bit it was taken.
Reply
post #49 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post

Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do

 

They're not going to and expecting them to do so is a bit unrealistic. I am 100% convinced it will come back as a standalone app though, and Cook's response all but seals that as he points to third-party apps.  The people arguing Apple will reject the app have little to base that on.  Last time Apple rejected a Google app the FTC got involved (Search "Google Voice App Store").

 

Buy your iPhone 5 and enjoy it. The Map app isn't that bad.

Reply
Reply
post #50 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkrupp View Post

What makes any of you think Apple would approve a Google Maps app? Duplication of functionality has caused rejection in the past. Why would Apple even want Google Maps anymore? My personal opinion is that Google Maps is history on iOS and the drama queens here can wail and moan, hold their breath till they turn blue, stomp up and down, cry like babies, declare iOS useless now all they want. Not gonna happen.

what makes you think they won't as they already have Waze and other third party options. I'm sure Google will love to bombard you with ads on their Maps app, probably spoken ads integrated with the voice direction. "Turn right near Starbucks. Starbucks offers great coffee. Buy one, get one half off. Continue on Main Street."

Reply
Reply
post #51 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post

Hmm....not sure what I think about this. Cook apologizing and telling users to use a competitors product is a bit embarrassing.

 

I think it was a bit unnecessary too.  Simply mentioning third-party apps are available if you wanted an alternative would have been sufficient, but I am not even sure he needed to go that far.

 

All in all I feel his wording went a bit further than I would have expected.  Simply acknowledging that, "Hey, it's young.  It will get better" was all he needed to say.

Reply
Reply
post #52 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:08am
I usually know where I am going but the maps apps are fun to play with. Apple decided they needed to make this move to their own map app but it may have been a mistake to release it at this time. I believe most iOS users feel like I do, not an important app.
Reply
Reply
post #53 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Techstalker View Post

Tim Cook acted like a ceo should, Apple made a mistake, they admitted it, they are trying to fix the problem, it will get better, it will take time. Lets all move on, google maps will be a app in the app store soon. Competition=Cunsumer wins. 

 

So whats the next drama in the tech world?

Weve had:

google policy change is killing babies

Twitter is killing free speech 

Microsfot is dead

Apple maps is worst than satan

 

Any guesses?

"Steve Jobs would/wouldn't have..."

 

Oh wait, that one has already been used a gazillion times.

Reply
Reply
post #54 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:11am
I don't have problems com Apple Maps issues.

My problem is: the future and improved version of Apple Maps (on iOS 7, perhaps) will be available on iPhone 3G, 4 and 4S or just for the most recents models of the Apple's gadgets?
Cause I had a great map feature on iPhone 4 (and on my old iPhone 3G)... I didn't want turn-by-turn features, Flyover... I just wanted what I had!


Sorry about my poor English.
Reply
Reply
post #55 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:13am
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
Reply
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
Reply
post #56 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:13am

Thank you for your humility and understanding, Tim.

Reply
Reply
post #57 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post

Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do

There ya' go! Stick to your guns. You'll really show Apple!

So this means that you will not post anymore until you actually get an iPhone?

Thank goodness!

Reply
Reply
post #58 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:17am
We heart Tim.
Reply
Reply
post #59 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:17am
Maps is already getting better. I reported a mislocation of an address a few days ago. When I checked yesterday, the problem had been corrected. That's WAY faster than Google, by the way: I reported a bad location to them a few years ago, and after several weeks they sent me an email saying it was fixed.

I think Apple is really doing what Cook says: working overtime to fix issues. If you have a problem, report it to Apple right from the app, and it will be fixed pretty quickly, apparently.
Reply
Reply
post #60 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:19am

Good on Tim/Apple to officially acknowledge the situation, very nice of him to address the crybabies that can't seem to figure out that Google Maps will still work on their iDevices.  Seriously, I hope this is the end of this stupid issue.  If you don't like the Apple maps, use the mobile Google version, you haven't lost ANYTHING.  For ME, i love the new maps, I appreciate the turn by turn directions and it WILL IMPROVE as more things are corrected by Apple.

 

Maybe some of you cry-sacks weren't around when Google's Maps first came out, but those weren't great, either. It's called IMPROVEMENT.

 

Sorry for the rant but jesus christ, you'd think that Apple took away a loved one.  It's an effing map for gods sake.  If you're too stupid to use Google mobile's maps, get an Android phone. Problem solved.

Reply
Reply
post #61 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:20am
Originally Posted by Mazda 3s View Post
Oh man, in for an epic thread.

 

Tallest Skil, why don't you have a seat over there lol.gif

 

I don't get the reference to me.

 

This letter should not exist. What kind of idiot tells people to use a competitor's product when they need users to improve their own? 


Originally Posted by iSheldon View Post
It could be argued that this was about making the most money.

 

Fine; explain this using some sort of logic.

 

Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post
Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do

 

So you're going to buy an iPhone today, then. Because Google Maps has been available since launch day. Unless, of course, you demand that be its own application, in which case enjoy never owning an iPhone again.

PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
Reply
PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
Reply
post #62 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post

Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do

 

 

Awesome. One less pre-order to slow my wife and daughters iPhone 5 from getting here sooner.

Reply
Reply
post #63 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoXoM View Post

lol!
Just let us download the fully working version of Google Maps that we had from iOS 5....


It's up to Google to make an app. Apple is not going to make Google's app for them.

 

And no, they cant just release the "old" app, it's now using their own MapKit and available as a standard app.

Reply
Reply
post #64 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pedromartins View Post

For what? Google has few options.

They can charge for their app and pay Apple 30%, they can make it free, they can decide to not make an app.

In any case, Google lost a huge chunk from their mobile ad revenue. It's up to them to loose dozens of millions of iOS users and their position or to lose all of them. Apple played very well.


Interesting post.

Apple stops licensing google maps
Apple saves on licensing fees
Google loses huge slice of revenue from licensing
Google looses millions of google map users therefore a huge chunk of ad revenue gone
Google can put maps on app store for free - benefits apple because now its free
Google puts maps on app store for free - benefits customer
Google puts maps on app store but charges - apple then automatically receives 30% cut
Google doesn't make app for iOS - googles loss
Apple users migrate to android... Shitty way to go but exactly how many will do that?
Apple users buy an additional android device just for maps - so they can still enjoy iOS

I think it's a Win for Apple and a smart move to have released Apple Maps just that the damn thing would work. Maybe in time... I suspect apple is piling its resources into this...there's got be loads of apple staff high on caffeine right now.

I'm still pissed they released a sub par product
Reply
Reply
post #65 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lerxt View Post

Classless response. The classy thing todo would be to pull it and put google maps back on. I'm not buying iPhone 5 till they do

OK. Don't buy an iPhone. No one really cares.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post

Hmm....not sure what I think about this. Cook apologizing and telling users to use a competitors product is a bit embarrassing.
Once you start apologizing where does it stop? Already there's clowns out there asking when Apple is going to apologize for "scuff gate" and ear pods that don't fit their ears. This is one of the curses of being at the top (in terms of market cap and profits). Everyone and their mother wants to bring you down. And every mistake or imperfection gets blown up like crazy.
I read dozens of iPhone 5 reviews, some prior to launch and most after launch, and there was one, maybe two at most, that mentioned anything about a scuffed phone. Yet we have scuff gate and people wanting Cook to apologize for it. I'm seeing complaints that the phone is too thin and light and thus feels cheap. Yet earlier this year when the new iPad came out people bitched because it was ever so slightly thicker and heavier. Now they're bitching that the iPhone is too light. No matter what Apple does these days someone will complain about it.

The problem is that all the Applegate crap puts Apple into a tough situation. The media has learned that there's nothing that generates hits (read: revenues) faster than fabricating some Apple scandal. There are plenty of people who want to make Apple look bad and the "problem" spreads like wild fire. And since the first one to report it gets most of the credit, there's nothing to be gained by delaying. As soon as you get the least hint of a problem, you go public with it.

If they do nothing, they are attacked for ignoring the "problem".

If they do what Jobs did on the antenna issue (pointing out that every phone does the same thing), they are attacked for being arrogant and trying to deflect 'legitimate' criticism onto their competitors.

If they do what Cook just did and acknowledge that their product is not perfect, then people come out of the woodwork screaming that it's a steaming pile of dung (which is not, of course, what Cook said, at all).

I think Daekwan has it right:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daekwan View Post

I agree that Cook acted like a CEO should.  He addressed the problem, before it turned into a much bigger and negative situation.  That is PR rule#1.  Acknowledge it, then show your plan to fix it.  That wipes out all of the fear mongering and woulda/coulda/shoulda publicity behind the problem.

Reality is the maps work fine for most people.  Navigation works incredibly well with TomTom street information provided.  There are plenty of 3rd party apps to use if you cant find something.  Google maps is still available in a mobile version by visiting maps.google.com in a browser. Media/TechBlog/Review sites need some controversial material to attract visitors.  Its Apple so people will make a big deal out of any changes they do.  

But just like the new lightning connector, a year from now the amount of over reaction to their changes will be a forgotten issue. 

I think you're right. Of the possible scenarios, the one most likely to make it go away is to say "we know it's not perfect and here's what we're doing to make it better".

I still would like to see someone actually do an analysis as to what percentage of the addresses is wrong on both Apple's and Google's systems.
Reply
Reply
post #66 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:24am
I don't think that Tim Cook/Apple made a mistake though. It's a brand new app which is a heap younger than Google's previous app. So it is understandable that they have to start from scratch and that that means having more irregularities in your map-data.

But I do respect the apology and promise that they're doubling down on getting the quality up to Apple's standards. I can't wait to see what Maps is going to be like in, say, half a year from now 1smile.gif
Reply
Reply
post #67 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arthur123 View Post

So Jeff what are you saying. Tim Cook wants the Apple iphone users to be the beta testers for this not ready for prime time mapping program?
If that is the case they should have included it as a bonus program as part of OS6 and still given users full access to Google maps.
As an Apple stock holder his apology means nothing. Its offering me a drink with an empty glass.
If he truly wants people to move forward he needs to bring back the Google App period end of story.

It's a good thing stock holders have no say in Apples plans.
Since you have no trust in Apple you should sell your stock immediately.

J.
Reply
Reply
post #68 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:25am

The issues with the maps app have nothing to do with the App itself, overlord. Its the fact that the data that it downloads isn't a completely accurate, and completely foolproof mapping solution. That is downloaded, and Apple won't discriminate over devices: the data it uses for the new OS should be the same data they use for iOS 6, for all time.

 

Has Apple made a sub-par mapping solution? Yes. Could that be avoided? Doubtful. Maps of the entire world are extremely, extremely complicated, and Google Maps was nowhere near this good at the start. Over time, problems were reported, and their maps became more accurate. The same holds true for Apple's Maps backend now: It needs users to pick up on the issues they'd never find themselves. Its remarkable they've been able to do as well as they have. Is it up to par? Perhaps not from a consumer's expectation, but its understandable why not.

 

The media, however, will jump on any opportunity to criticise anything regarding Apple. If someone sneezes in an Apple Store, there will be a headline tomorrow that Apple is now pumping the flu virus through their air conditioners. Its an easy way to get page views, and to get people to watch the news. Sad, but true.

 

As for "why don't you just give us the old Maps back"? The old Maps had a foundational layer known as MapKit supporting it. MapKit was based on data handed by Google. It was built into the OS - not the App. That is how Apple allowed maps to become embedded in other apps. MapKit was moved over to Apple Maps. The App itself was redesigned at the same time, but that was largely separate to the Apple Maps issues, which are in MapKit, and Apple's Maps. Apple can't release the old Maps App - it would use Apple Maps, just looking like the old app. The problem isn't solved. They would need to re-engineer an entirely new mapping framework into a new version of the app that replicates the functionality.

 

To put it simply: Its not the Maps App that has changed, its the OS beneath it. Handing the old Maps App back to us won't change anything. Only changing the entire OS back to Google Maps would fix this.

 

And that's something Apple won't do. They want to better their own maps, not give up all together.

Reply
Reply
post #69 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rogifan View Post

... I'm seeing complaints that the phone is too thin and light and thus feels cheap. Yet earlier this year when the new iPad came out people bitched because it was ever so slightly thicker and heavier. Now they're bitching that the iPhone is too light...

 

I find the weight complaints to be crazy, that now we are saying something having heft makes it higher quality.  It reminds me of the luxury automakers who used to put weights in the door so they would have a more solid feel.  Yet now they are all about reducing weight for fuel economy.  Your right in that people are going to complain about everything.  The phone is a solid chunk of metal with one of the strongest screens available, and quality compoments.  How anyone can complain that it doesn't feel like a premium product is beyond me.  There is no flex and the gaps are almost non-existant.  I think I am going to make lead lined case called the iWeight for those who would rather have the phone feel like a brick in their pockets.

Reply
Reply
post #70 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

 

So you're going to buy an iPhone today, then. Because Google Maps has been available since launch day. Unless, of course, you demand that be its own application, in which case enjoy never owning an iPhone again.

 

I am truly asking this question in a sincere way.  You want evidence for many things and logical arguments.  I am assuming you have a logical argument and evidence to support that there will never be a standalone Google Maps app on iPhone.  Given the number of map apps on the App Store, I for one think there will be...eventually.  

 

So is your thinking Google won't release one?  I could see that happening.  

 

Or do you  think Apple will reject the app? I find that unlikely given the firestorm that usually erupts and the number of Google apps Apple has already approved (include the somewhat suckish YouTube app).

 

EDIT:

I could care less if there is a Google Maps app on iPhone, for the record.  I just want to know what I am missing...

Reply
Reply
post #71 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse View Post

 

People who use the phrase "Apple fanboys" in posts here are the really pathetic ones. It's a sure sign that your own psychological problems have driven you to AI to try to compensate for your own shortcomings.

 


So you are calling him out for saying something that is true?  If you think there are not "Apple fanboys" on here then you are being lumped into that group because you are closing your eyes/mind to the obvious truth.  Android, WP, BB and iOS all have their supporters and then they have their rabid fans.  When you ignore the extremists and don't call them out on the stuff they do, you run the risk of them being the public support of your favourite product and no one wants that.  Idiots about in all parts of life and it's up to others to call them out on it.

 

On topic though, I'm a former iPhone person but now use WP and Android for my own reasons and while I'm not a big fan of the iOS environment, I understand that Apple is following what it thinks it the best course of action in the long term.  While Apple has a history of not admitting to mistakes and blaming others when called out (antennae gate), I have to say that this is a step in the right direction for Apple.  Tim did a classy thing here and I actually have to commend him from breaking with tradition here.

 

Fact of the matter is, that iOS Maps was not ready for the prime time and if it was a beta, it should have been labelled as such.  Sure if works in the US for most people but just remember that you are only 330 million people vs the other 6.7+ billion.  Apple is known for making incredibly refined and user friendly apps and for them to deliver this is something people are not used to, nor expect from Apple.  Tim did the right thing in apologizing here because it goes against Apple's goals.  Personally, I think they should drop the public vendetta against Google because it makes them look childish and not very responsible.  If I had stock, I would say "Stop the name calling and punching and get back to leading by example".

 

Apple maps will evolve and someday it will be viable for everyone but for now, it's a black eye but they will recover.  That's all there is to say really. 

Reply
Reply
post #72 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dolphyjazz View Post

It's about time. Apple maps just plain sucks. I've been an apple fan for a long time and enjoy using their desktop os and laptops, but their mobile offerings are just not comparable to android powered devices. Worst part is that they choose to be shitty because they're pissed at Google.

 You really think this is about just being "pissed" at Google because of something personal? Its about wanting to provide their users with a better experience than Google was willing to provide (e.g. Turn by Turn). Google was unfairly (IMO) trying to strong arm Apple and it's users by not providing us with an inferior product than they were using themselves in their own, competing product. I'm actually a bit upset that Google was treating me unfairly, not giving me the same equal opportunity that they gave their android users. THAT is greed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jungmark View Post


yes and Google didn't want to bring it to iOS unless it received branding and user data for Google services for a price.

 

Oh and this too ^^^

Reply
Reply
post #73 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rednival View Post

 

I am truly asking this question in a sincere way.  You want evidence for many things and logical arguments.  I am assuming you have a logical argument and evidence to support that there will never be a standalone Google Maps app on iPhone.  Given the number of map apps on the App Store, I for one think there will be...eventually.  

 

So is your thinking Google won't release one?  I could see that happening.  

 

Or do you  think Apple will reject the app? I find that unlikely given the firestorm that usually erupts and the number of Google apps Apple has already approved (include the somewhat suckish YouTube app).

 

EDIT:

I could care less if there is a Google Maps app on iPhone, for the record.  I just want to know what I am missing...

 

I know you're not asking me this question, but I believe they WILL release a Google Maps App in iOS...but not for a long time.  By the time it's "ready" and "approved" this will all be in the past, and Apple's own maps app will be iOS users first choice.  Just like in Android, how many people actually download 3rd party apps?  I don't have numbers, but I suspect it's a very very low %

 

Like you, I don't care if they do or not, i'm quite happy with iOS maps and turn by turn.  Just my .02

Reply
Reply
post #74 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:36am
Originally Posted by rednival View Post
…there will never be a standalone Google Maps app on iPhone.

 

Not made by Apple, there won't.

 

I could care less if there is a Google Maps app on iPhone, for the record.  I just want to know what I am missing...

 

Buy an iPhone, actually use Apple Maps, and find out!

PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
Reply
PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
Reply
post #75 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by flabber View Post

I don't think that Tim Cook/Apple made a mistake though. It's a brand new app which is a heap younger than Google's previous app. So it is understandable that they have to start from scratch and that that means having more irregularities in your map-data.
But I do respect the apology and promise that they're doubling down on getting the quality up to Apple's standards. I can't wait to see what Maps is going to be like in, say, half a year from now 1smile.gif

I agree. That's a positive and realistic attitude towards Apple maps.
Maybe Apple launches its own satellite(s) and gets ultra high definition (and same color tone) images of the earth; it will blow the competition away.
The future will be bright.

J.
Reply
Reply
post #76 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Psych_guy View Post


Yes, very well stated. I forgot about the 30%. Apple has Google in a corner, that's for sure.

Not if they make it a free app.    Customers who want it get what they had before and Google protects its advertising revenue.    Consumers have a choice, Apple will be encouraged even more to continuously improve the app and everybody wins.     I understand and think it's legit that Apple developed their own app to get turn-by-turn and I understand Google's reluctance to give it to them so they can save it for their Android platform.   But Apple should not attempt to win the marketplace by forcing out other apps - they should win by putting quality in the marketplace.   

Reply
Reply
post #77 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

 

Not made by Apple, there won't.

 

 

 

Ah, well I agree 100% with that and people expecting that are...well...not thinking clearly (nicest possible words I could come up with).

Reply
Reply
post #78 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:40am

Sorry Google, YOU LOSE:-

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2145866/Iran-threatens-sue-Google-omitting-Persian-Gulf-label-map-service.html

 

 

"The cobbler's children have no shoes", is a saying that applies a lot to companies who provide products and services. -KDarling on Google Search.

Reply

"The cobbler's children have no shoes", is a saying that applies a lot to companies who provide products and services. -KDarling on Google Search.

Reply
post #79 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by na1ya View Post

"The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get"

 

I don't understand. If we keep using Maps, the image on the right will gradually become the image on the left? How is that possible?

 

Google spent 7 years improving maps.  hundreds of human beings at Google are constantly tweaking images.   Every complaint about maps is looked at by the team.   Gov'ts can obscure or limit visibility/zoomin of certain strategic locations... people do that.  

 

'defects' like these require someone to call them to attention.

 

Since 2010, you could log into google and submit 'edits' to their maps as a mere mortal, and crowdsourcing (if you claim expertise and have submitted accurate updates, you can 'review/approve' other people's submissions... sort of like 'karma' in Slashdot;-).

 

If I were Apple, I'd put a <improve this> button on the app UI, and have that capture the current image, and a comment from the user, and put a team of people looking at their maps, paper maps and other orgs maps (google), to verify the change, and then change it, and then  provide a 'notification' (if requested) if your request has been accepted.  Instant 'Apple is invested in you the Maps user' karma.

Reply
Reply
post #80 of 371
9/28/12 at 7:42am
Well, I should report that iOS 6's maps can finally return a result when I search for my street, which has been charted on the map since day 1 in the beta, BUT only if I type its name with a cedilla and a circumflex to match the exact spelling (this street is named after a city in Mozambique; my entire neighborhood's streets are named after cities in Africa, meaning lots of non-ASCII characters in street names), and EVEN THEN it still points to a location like 3 kilometers away from where I live (and 3 kilometers away from the place where the street is charted on the map, demonstrating lack of parity between the map and the database). Forget about abbreviations, incorrect spelling, or missing accentuation marks; any of those will still cause the search to fail. The fact that an app is pushed to production in this state is a demonstration of pure incompetence, I wouldn't even accept this from a newbie developer.

EDIT: Added trivia about my 'hood's street names.
Edited by Vaelian - 9/28/12 at 7:50am
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: iPhone
AppleInsider › Forums › Mobile › iPhone › Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes to customers for Maps in iOS 6