Official Google Maps iOS app released for iPhone and iPad - Page 4

Originally Posted by JeffDM 
It certainly is curious. And someone has to approve those reviews, right?

No, you just have to have downloaded the app to post one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil 

 

No, you just have to have downloaded the app to post one.

UMMM. . . I think that still requires an iDevice and not one running Android.

Originally Posted by Gatorguy 
UMMM. . . I think that still requires an iDevice and not one running Android.

Well… yeah. It's the Apple App Store, after all, not a name-obfuscating knock-off.

Is your point merely to note that people are downloading it? 

If so, what's your explanation for the 13x greater 5-star reviews than 4-star?

Perhaps those using Apple's map app were that unhappy with it. Perhaps there's been a pent-up demand from iPhone owners for a Google maps app as good as their Android version for a long time. Perhaps owners of older iPhones were unhappy about high-priced nav apps from the other "known" names like Tomtom and Navigon, so a free Google app was great news. Perhaps Google's map app really is "all that" to most of those using it.

IMHO it's likely some combination of the above rather than Google personnel finding some backdoor way into the comments section to post a bunch of 5 star reviews.

Originally Posted by Gatorguy 

IMHO it's likely some combination of the above rather than Google personnel finding some backdoor way into the comments section to post a bunch of 5 star reviews.

No backdoor needed; just create multiple accounts. Read some of the reviews and tell me they're not channel-stuffing.

It's nearly as bad as EA's fake user reviews on its own games.

Im inclined to agree.  While I have had no problems with apple's map app, I know others have and they don't want to wait for the data to improve.  I was fed up with the pre iOS 6 version because of the no turn by turn or voice instructions.  The interface also felt clunky.  The only alternative though was to spend $40+ on a separate app.  I'd say Apple's new maps app has been all around good for the ecosystem.  Those who wanted an interface update got it, and now you can for the most part choose who your maps "provider" is.  Those who like apples maps can stick with theirs, those who complain can dl the google maps app or fork over a hefty sum for some other implementation.

Edit: forgot quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by netrox 

I downloaded it and wow, it's awesome! The UI can be a little awkward but overall, it's a robust app and definitely the one I'll rely on. I have had many bad experiences with iOS Maps. 

I downloaded it and went out and took it for a test.

Awesome is certainly not the word I would use to describe it.

The directions it gave me were way out of the way and for a short trip to Walgreens (normally 0.35 mi) it suggested going the opposite direction at two different places that added a quarter mile (total 0.60 mi by Googles suggested route). Although this is thru a residential area it took me out of the way to put me on a six lane hwy and then another major thoroughfare when they could have been avoided except for one crossing at a signal. Google suggested that I enter at an uncontrolled point on the hwy and then after going the opposite direction do a u-turn at another uncontrolled crossing (fairly large planted median in the middle of the freeway). Apple's Maps showed two possible routes, Route 1 including the the same entry on to the fwy but skipping the 2nd long run with the 2nd U-turn. Route 2 matched exactly that I drive - avoiding the messy longer run.

One thing I did really like is that Google's voice from the navigator came thru my cars hands free system (which is what I had expected Apple to do - come on Apple lets put this on your fixit list).

The biggest difference to me is not being able to access my Contacts. Google wants me to Sign In and keep a totally different list of My Places (gee now they not only want to know all about me by the websites I visit - now they want to have me stalked in the real world -- I don't think so). That is the killer for me and why I will not be using it (except as a backup).

I really don't like the UI - I tried to be fair since I am somewhat used to seeing Google's spartan UI in their other products but this thing does not seem to have any flow at all (e.g., it has these smallish buttons with icons that I just had to randomly tap to figure out what they do). It does not feel like an iPhone App IMHO (e.g., windows with a little x in the upper left corner are a no-no, the Human Interface Guidelines are available).

Both Apple and Google have some work to do with these products. With Googles almost 5 year head start I would have expected more from them quite frankly.