Didn't some of Google's programmers go to Apple to help fix Apple Maps? Maybe that's the reason Google Maps is now having problems, no programmers to fix Google's problems. Oh well..
Here's a location in Saratoga. CA, 3.2 miles from Apple HQ...
Saratoga was/is home to:
Gene Carter former Apple VP Marketing
Bill "Coach" Campbell member Apple BOD
Saratoga HS the first commercial LAN installation June 1980 (7 Apple ][ Sharing 5 MB HDD and Printer via Corvus Omninet)
Lucy & Me (Mr Lucy) owners of the best damn computer stores in Silicon Valley
Apple Maps 2D
Apple Maps 3D Flyover
Google Earth 3D/SIZE]
All images were taken on an iPad 4.
Here (no 3D image data) Google Earth provides a better image -- but it was a real PITA to position/navigate -- taking several tries and about 3 minutes.
Interesting, it looks like earth does a little better than what the new maps can do on the desktop:
But here's the difference: Google has not released its version of Maps yet with the mistakes, thus giving them time to fix it. Apple released it officially knowing there were problems. Some things are worth waiting for, I guess is the message.
But here's the difference: Google has not released its version of Maps yet with the mistakes, thus giving them time to fix it. Apple released it officially knowing there were problems. Some things are worth waiting for, I guess is the message.
This illustrates one problem Goggle faces -- their 2D Satellite Imagery has shadows based on the position of the sun... When manipulating (enmeshing) them as 3D images, it is difficult (impossible) to eliminate the shadows.
Apparently, the Apple 3D imaging process does not use photography and is not concerned with shadows.
If desired, shadows can easily be added to Apple 3D images with several programs, e.g. Apple Motion $50.
This is a laughable attempt to make the disaster that is apple maps into something with some hope. Apple is helplessly behind in any quality mapping service. The non public beta from google you are slamming here is very early and not meant for public use. The existing production mapping and navigation product google offers (and most apple iphone users actually use) is vastly superior to apple's still screwed up effort at mapping.
When/If google releases their 3d rendered version of maps it certainly will not be the disaster apple released last year. Apple users and apple shareholders are still recovering from that nightmare.
This is a laughable attempt to make the disaster that is apple maps into something with some hope. Apple is helplessly behind in any quality mapping service. The non public beta from google you are slamming here is very early and not meant for public use. The existing production mapping and navigation product google offers (and most apple iphone users actually use) is vastly superior to apple's still screwed up effort at mapping.
When/If google releases their 3d rendered version of maps it certainly will not be the disaster apple released last year. Apple users and apple shareholders are still recovering from that nightmare.
I forgot that apple products were designed for elementry children. I'll use smaller words. Production sw means sw that is released for the general public to use, not invite only beta. If you dont understand this; please ask an adult.
I forgot that apple products were designed for elementry children. I'll use smaller words. Production sw means sw that is released for the general public to use, not invite only beta. If you dont understand this; please ask an adult.
All of the software in the post immediately preceding yours is production software.
Apple maps comes preinstalled with iOS 6.
Google maps and Google earth for iOS are freely downloadable from the App Store.
None of the software shown is invite only Beta -- or beta of any form.
If you like, you can experience these results yourself -- on any standard iOS device running iOS 6.
Ok show me something where apple maps accurately gets me to my destination as fast as possible with traffic prediction. I think if apple is fighting about how pretty a world looks they are still stuck with an awesomely intricate, well placed, minimalist, Ikea friendly, bucket over their heads. I do congratulate apple in making a full 3d world but they should be paying attention to the practical uses of maps rather than making gimmicks. I have looked at several places on Google that many of you have been looking and find the 3d in Google earth and maps is there and rather accurate.
I think its rather petty that apple insiders spell check labels the name Google as misspelled yet with the word macintosh it will say needs capitalization.
No one will care. In the opinion of the spinmeisters, Apple is bad and Apple's Maps are a disaster... no matter how much improved.
Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso
It will be interesting to see if other media outlets pickup the topic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkevwill
OMG, where's the outrage, the headlines in the WSJ, etc!
Not likely. Google Maps is an established product with a good rep - and this is just a feature upgrade rolling out by invitation only - and since it's not on phones, no chance of complaining about bad things happening on the road.
The problem with Apple's Maps is that they took on Google directly with an obviously immature product they pushed as being better than G's right out of the gate. (There have been plenty of post-mortems about the reasons things played out the way they did, but whatever the reasons, Apple kind of walked into this one.)
The lingering problem is not the product today or a year from now, rather the truth of the old adage that you (seldom) "get a second chance to make a good first impression" - so the perception will linger for at least some time.... ...while GOOG will walk on this one.
That being said, finding a lampoonable or sensationalizeable problem (real or purported) with any new Apple product has become a fave media staple....
Ok show me something where apple maps accurately gets me to my destination as fast as possible with traffic prediction. I think if apple is fighting about how pretty a world looks they are still stuck with an awesomely intricate, well placed, minimalist, Ikea friendly, bucket over their heads. I do congratulate apple in making a full 3d world but they should be paying attention to the practical uses of maps rather than making gimmicks. I have looked at several places on Google that many of you have been looking and find the 3d in Google earth and maps is there and rather accurate.
I think its rather petty that apple insiders spell check labels the name Google as misspelled yet with the word macintosh it will say needs capitalization.
Your desires of a mapping app is likely the major use-case for most people...
There have been any posters here, and on other sites, that prefer the turn-by-turn navigation of Apple maps -- though traffic is reportedly superior in Google maps.
There are other uses for maps and map apps -- such as trip planning, tracking, site familiarization and exploring... thus the popularity of non-navigation features as street view flyover, etc.
Because of my age and old eyes, I no-longer drive -- so I have no use for tracking.
I do use the tracking feature to [try to] keep tabs on 3 teenage grandkids... make sure they are safe, on schedule, etc, -- and locate that occasional misplaced iDevice. (My granddaughter thought she lost her iPhone while on a recent trip to Chicago -- we were able to locate it and call the motel before it got "really lost".
I do use the satellite, street view and Flyover extensively -- for revisiting familiar sites and exploring the real world out there with the grandkids.
I suspect that your point-to-point navigation needs are already satisfied for most locations with existing devices and apps.
The big potential for map apps, IMO, lies in 3D exploration of the world -- including the inside of buildings, canyons and caves...
There are some other, longer-term, uses such as simulation of real world sites... Where 3D Flyover data exists, Google Earth, Naviteq or Apple Maps can be used to create a tour video that gives a pretty good "feeling" of actually being there. The tech is pretty close now, and I can only see it getting better and more pervasive. It won't be too long before some hot-shot videographer, director or editor uses 3D simulation to "sell" the effect that you are bopping down the Champs-Elysées while never sending a film crew on site.
[VIDEO]
Note: the Apple Maps Zamboni...
Another, more specialized, use with great potential is overlaying demographic data on maps for business or educational uses.
[B][U][SIZE=4]Point-to-point vs Pretty[/SIZE][/U][/B]
I mentioned in an earlier post that I don't use navigation because I don't drive anymore... Quite a few people have posted preference for Apple Maps navigation over Google Maos navigation...
So, I thought instead of stressing the 3D Flyover capability, I'd try to compare navigation capability of the 2 apps running on an iPad.
To be fair, I selected a place where I've never been -- Istanbul Turkey. Using both apps, I browsed around the city to try and find a good route -- with no bias for either app.
I swear I did not know about the rating until after I had compiled all the results! FWIW, one seems as accurate as the other (without actually driving the route). Apple Maps presents itself better and is easier to use because it is designed for the iPad. The Google Maps app is designed for the iPhone and shown at 2X on the iPad.
I like the fact that users of Google Maps can rate the experience.
To be fair, I selected a place where I've never been -- Istanbul Turkey. Using both apps, I browsed around the city to try and find a good route -- with no bias for either app.
Very kind of you to have taken the time for this. It shows that Apple Maps are clearer to view than Googles', in my opinion. Funny thing: I immediately recognized the Google Maps screendump as I used it for a photo album as a gift for my mother after she took me and my sister to Istanbul 2 years ago.
Yep, Aperture still relies on Google for their mapping requirements. If they switch to their own mapping software, could that be an indication they'll create a web/OSX version as well? Bit like how they try things out in iTunes before changing OSX (Aperture), like the colored icons.
[B][U][SIZE=4]Is Google responsible for Greece's economic woes?[/SIZE][/U][/B]
I was trying to locate tourist sites on the Turkish Aegean coast so I could compare the results of Google Maps and Apple Maps on my iPad. The Apple map database is newer (2012) and has much fewer POIs than the more mature Google Maps database (2005). So, if I wanted to compare the two, I'd better find something first with the Apple Map, then the Google Map (Google, likely, showed places that wouldn't be found in the newer Apple database).
To simplify, I chose to use map view zoomed out so I could see interesting cities or land masses (islands, bays, etc.) with less distraction...
On the Apple Map, I saw a peninsula jutting into the Aegean with a large island offshore -- that looks pretty touristy, let's locate the same peninsula/island on the Google Map.
[B][U][SIZE=4]The Hypotenuse in not on the Square...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
On my iPad, I switched back and forth between Apple Maps and Google Maps... Something was terribly wrong -- I couldn't locate the corresponding peninsula/island on the Google Map... It was like I was looking at two different places! Finally, exasperated, I zoomed in on the Apple Map and saw a City named Pythegorio.*
* A little surfing and I discovered that Pythagorio is a city on the Greek island of Samos (184.6 sq mi) 43 km (27 mi) long and 13 km (8 mi) wide.)
The island of Samos Greece is there and looks fine to me.
EDIT: Lots of detail too including ferry routes. Perhaps you discovered a bug at some specific zoom level? Dunno but the island and all it's streets is certainly there in Google Maps
Whoa! The Cities were shown, and what appeared to be a main road -- but they were sitting on the water... The island of Samos was MIA.
Google Maps doesn't even understand my query "Pythegorio" ["...did you mean...?"]
Strange that Gatorguy somehow always has a working Google experience. That certainly is not my experience, with Maps or something else. But, because I hardly ever use any of their services, I may be ...whatever, can't find a proper word for it.
Google Maps doesn't even understand my query "Pythegorio" ["...did you mean...?"]
Strange that Gatorguy somehow always has a working Google experience. That certainly is not my experience, with Maps or something else. But, because I hardly ever use any of their services, I may be ...whatever, can't find a proper word for it.
I gave you the links to see for yourself. It wasn't magic. Perhaps I have some default setting on maps that Mr. Applebaum doesn't. FWIW I couldn't get a hit on his search term either. That's why I used the name of the island he had a problem with, Samos, which turns out to be formally "Samos, Samos Prefecture, Greece"
Comments
Interesting, it looks like earth does a little better than what the new maps can do on the desktop:
Originally Posted by persingern
But here's the difference: Google has not released its version of Maps yet with the mistakes, thus giving them time to fix it. Apple released it officially knowing there were problems. Some things are worth waiting for, I guess is the message.
Not really.
[B][SIZE=4]Apple Maps iPad[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25570/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[B][SIZE=4]Google Maps (2x) iPad[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25571/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[B][SIZE=4]Google Earth iPad[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25572/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[B][SIZE=4]Google Earth Mac[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25573/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[B][SIZE=4]New Google Maps/Earth Mac[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25574/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
[B][SIZE=4]Current Google Maps Mac[/SIZE][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25575/width/350/height/700[/IMG]
This illustrates one problem Goggle faces -- their 2D Satellite Imagery has shadows based on the position of the sun... When manipulating (enmeshing) them as 3D images, it is difficult (impossible) to eliminate the shadows.
Apparently, the Apple 3D imaging process does not use photography and is not concerned with shadows.
If desired, shadows can easily be added to Apple 3D images with several programs, e.g. Apple Motion $50.
This is a laughable attempt to make the disaster that is apple maps into something with some hope. Apple is helplessly behind in any quality mapping service. The non public beta from google you are slamming here is very early and not meant for public use. The existing production mapping and navigation product google offers (and most apple iphone users actually use) is vastly superior to apple's still screwed up effort at mapping.
When/If google releases their 3d rendered version of maps it certainly will not be the disaster apple released last year. Apple users and apple shareholders are still recovering from that nightmare.
Then Apple Maps October 2012
Now Apple Maps May 2013
Now Google Maps May 2013
Now Google Earth May 2013
Now Apple Maps Closeup May 2013
Now Google Maps Closeup May 2013
Now Google Earth Closeup May 2013
I forgot that apple products were designed for elementry children. I'll use smaller words. Production sw means sw that is released for the general public to use, not invite only beta. If you dont understand this; please ask an adult.
All of the software in the post immediately preceding yours is production software.
Apple maps comes preinstalled with iOS 6.
Google maps and Google earth for iOS are freely downloadable from the App Store.
None of the software shown is invite only Beta -- or beta of any form.
If you like, you can experience these results yourself -- on any standard iOS device running iOS 6.
Ok show me something where apple maps accurately gets me to my destination as fast as possible with traffic prediction. I think if apple is fighting about how pretty a world looks they are still stuck with an awesomely intricate, well placed, minimalist, Ikea friendly, bucket over their heads. I do congratulate apple in making a full 3d world but they should be paying attention to the practical uses of maps rather than making gimmicks. I have looked at several places on Google that many of you have been looking and find the 3d in Google earth and maps is there and rather accurate.
I think its rather petty that apple insiders spell check labels the name Google as misspelled yet with the word macintosh it will say needs capitalization.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich
No one will care. In the opinion of the spinmeisters, Apple is bad and Apple's Maps are a disaster... no matter how much improved.
Quote:
Originally Posted by isaidso
It will be interesting to see if other media outlets pickup the topic.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkevwill
OMG, where's the outrage, the headlines in the WSJ, etc!
Not likely. Google Maps is an established product with a good rep - and this is just a feature upgrade rolling out by invitation only - and since it's not on phones, no chance of complaining about bad things happening on the road.
The problem with Apple's Maps is that they took on Google directly with an obviously immature product they pushed as being better than G's right out of the gate. (There have been plenty of post-mortems about the reasons things played out the way they did, but whatever the reasons, Apple kind of walked into this one.)
The lingering problem is not the product today or a year from now, rather the truth of the old adage that you (seldom) "get a second chance to make a good first impression" - so the perception will linger for at least some time.... ...while GOOG will walk on this one.
That being said, finding a lampoonable or sensationalizeable problem (real or purported) with any new Apple product has become a fave media staple....
Your desires of a mapping app is likely the major use-case for most people...
There have been any posters here, and on other sites, that prefer the turn-by-turn navigation of Apple maps -- though traffic is reportedly superior in Google maps.
There are other uses for maps and map apps -- such as trip planning, tracking, site familiarization and exploring... thus the popularity of non-navigation features as street view flyover, etc.
Because of my age and old eyes, I no-longer drive -- so I have no use for tracking.
I do use the tracking feature to [try to] keep tabs on 3 teenage grandkids... make sure they are safe, on schedule, etc, -- and locate that occasional misplaced iDevice. (My granddaughter thought she lost her iPhone while on a recent trip to Chicago -- we were able to locate it and call the motel before it got "really lost".
I do use the satellite, street view and Flyover extensively -- for revisiting familiar sites and exploring the real world out there with the grandkids.
I suspect that your point-to-point navigation needs are already satisfied for most locations with existing devices and apps.
The big potential for map apps, IMO, lies in 3D exploration of the world -- including the inside of buildings, canyons and caves...
There are some other, longer-term, uses such as simulation of real world sites... Where 3D Flyover data exists, Google Earth, Naviteq or Apple Maps can be used to create a tour video that gives a pretty good "feeling" of actually being there. The tech is pretty close now, and I can only see it getting better and more pervasive. It won't be too long before some hot-shot videographer, director or editor uses 3D simulation to "sell" the effect that you are bopping down the Champs-Elysées while never sending a film crew on site.
[VIDEO]
Note: the Apple Maps Zamboni...
Another, more specialized, use with great potential is overlaying demographic data on maps for business or educational uses.
I mentioned in an earlier post that I don't use navigation because I don't drive anymore... Quite a few people have posted preference for Apple Maps navigation over Google Maos navigation...
So, I thought instead of stressing the 3D Flyover capability, I'd try to compare navigation capability of the 2 apps running on an iPad.
To be fair, I selected a place where I've never been -- Istanbul Turkey. Using both apps, I browsed around the city to try and find a good route -- with no bias for either app.
Here are the results:
[B][U][SIZE=4]Clean Initial Search[/SIZE][/U][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25655/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25656/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]Get Route Start and End points[/SIZE][/U][/B]
It is somewhat easier to drop pins and capture addresses with Apple Maps.... I copied the exact locations.
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25657/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]Setup The Route Points[/SIZE][/U][/B]
I pasted the exact location data into each app.
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25658/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25661/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]The Suggested Routes[/SIZE][/U][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25664/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25663/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]We Begin[/SIZE][/U][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25665/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25666/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25667/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25668/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]We Switch to Hybrid View[/SIZE][/U][/B]
We have skipped a few navigation steps, then get a different view.
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25669/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25670/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]We End[/SIZE][/U][/B]
We skip a few more navigation steps and get to our destination.
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25671/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25672/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]We Rate The Process[/SIZE][/U][/B]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25673/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
I swear I did not know about the rating until after I had compiled all the results! FWIW, one seems as accurate as the other (without actually driving the route). Apple Maps presents itself better and is easier to use because it is designed for the iPad. The Google Maps app is designed for the iPhone and shown at 2X on the iPad.
I like the fact that users of Google Maps can rate the experience.
Very kind of you to have taken the time for this. It shows that Apple Maps are clearer to view than Googles', in my opinion. Funny thing: I immediately recognized the Google Maps screendump as I used it for a photo album as a gift for my mother after she took me and my sister to Istanbul 2 years ago.
Yep, Aperture still relies on Google for their mapping requirements. If they switch to their own mapping software, could that be an indication they'll create a web/OSX version as well? Bit like how they try things out in iTunes before changing OSX (Aperture), like the colored icons.
I was trying to locate tourist sites on the Turkish Aegean coast so I could compare the results of Google Maps and Apple Maps on my iPad. The Apple map database is newer (2012) and has much fewer POIs than the more mature Google Maps database (2005). So, if I wanted to compare the two, I'd better find something first with the Apple Map, then the Google Map (Google, likely, showed places that wouldn't be found in the newer Apple database).
To simplify, I chose to use map view zoomed out so I could see interesting cities or land masses (islands, bays, etc.) with less distraction...
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25699/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25701/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
On the Apple Map, I saw a peninsula jutting into the Aegean with a large island offshore -- that looks pretty touristy, let's locate the same peninsula/island on the Google Map.
[B][U][SIZE=4]The Hypotenuse in not on the Square...[/SIZE][/U][/B]
On my iPad, I switched back and forth between Apple Maps and Google Maps... Something was terribly wrong -- I couldn't locate the corresponding peninsula/island on the Google Map... It was like I was looking at two different places! Finally, exasperated, I zoomed in on the Apple Map and saw a City named Pythegorio.*
* A little surfing and I discovered that Pythagorio is a city on the Greek island of Samos (184.6 sq mi) 43 km (27 mi) long and 13 km (8 mi) wide.)
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25702/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25703/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]What have they done to my Samos?[/SIZE][/U][/B]
So. I just searched Google Maps for "Pythagorio".
Whoa! The Cities were shown, and what appeared to be a main road -- but they were sitting on the water... The island of Samos was MIA.
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25705/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25704/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[B][U][SIZE=4]Bingo![/SIZE][/U][/B]
Thankfully, Bing Maps on the Mac comes to the rescue... The Chrome Mac Browser showing: Current Google Maps; New Google Maps; then Bing Maps
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25712/width/300/height/700[/IMG] [IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25714/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
[IMG ALT=""]http://forums.appleinsider.com/content/type/61/id/25711/width/300/height/700[/IMG]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum
So. I just searched Google Maps for "Pythegorio".
Whoa! The Cities were shown, and what appeared to be a main road -- but they were sitting on the water... The island of Samos was MIA
https://maps.google.com/
then "Samos". Take your pick.
http://goo.gl/maps/8YfN6
EDIT: Lots of detail too including ferry routes. Perhaps you discovered a bug at some specific zoom level? Dunno but the island and all it's streets is certainly there in Google Maps
Google Maps doesn't even understand my query "Pythegorio" ["...did you mean...?"]
Strange that Gatorguy somehow always has a working Google experience. That certainly is not my experience, with Maps or something else. But, because I hardly ever use any of their services, I may be ...whatever, can't find a proper word for it.
I gave you the links to see for yourself. It wasn't magic. Perhaps I have some default setting on maps that Mr. Applebaum doesn't. FWIW I couldn't get a hit on his search term either. That's why I used the name of the island he had a problem with, Samos, which turns out to be formally "Samos, Samos Prefecture, Greece"