Apple Maps launch on the web in new Find my iPhone beta, displacing Google

Posted:
in iCloud edited July 2014
Apple's in-house mapping service has made the jump to the web some two years after its debut at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference, supplanting Google Maps in the newest preview of the web-based Find my iPhone application.

Apple's Find my iPhone beta on the web now uses Apple Maps, rather than Google Maps
Apple's Find my iPhone beta on the web now uses Apple Maps, rather than Google Maps


Users of Apple's iCloud beta site will now see their lost devices placed atop Apple's own maps, though Google continues to power the public edition for the time being. The change was first noticed by German blog iPhoneBlog.de

Functionality remains the same between the two versions, though Apple's vector-based maps do appear more lightweight. AppleInsider tests revealed the Google Maps-powered version transferred some 4 megabytes of data for a single request, compared to just over 400 kilobytes for Apple's.

iCloud's Find my iPhone application is one of the few areas where Apple continues to use Google Maps -- along with its retail store locator -- though Tuesday's unveiling of web-based maps suggests that Google's time is near an end. Apple has been steadily working to improve its own mapping solution in recent months following a nearly disastrous debut that ultimately resulted in the firing of former iOS chief Scott Forstall.

The company has begun issuing routine updates to maps and point-of-interest data, with changes propagating at approximately midnight Pacific time every day. Apple has also been seen advertising for new Maps API engineers, hinting at "big plans" to overhaul Maps's backend systems.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 80
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Apple is making fast progress with their mapping efforts. Well done. It's not an easy thing to do.
  • Reply 2 of 80
    tallest skiltallest skil Posts: 43,388member

    “Google gives way”, and yet you’re using Chrome. Really?

  • Reply 3 of 80
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    AI's headlines are almost never accurate.
  • Reply 4 of 80
    The market hasn't woken up to the damage done to Google's business model by Apple doing its own Maps.

    When you consider the value of the data Google was collecting from iOS users [you know, the folks who carry credit cards and spend 4x Android users on apps and media], Apple hit them where it hurts.

    There's a war between Apple and Google and right now and Google is far, far more vulnerable to an attack from Apple. Apple can cut off their access to the most valuable mobile analytics and data on the planet. That strikes at the heart of Google's business model. Spotlight in iOS 8 and Yosemite is yet another salvo:

    http://halifaxbloggers.ca/straighttech/2014/06/spotlight-the-war-between-apple-and-google/
  • Reply 5 of 80
    bobjohnsonbobjohnson Posts: 154member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post



    AI's headlines are almost never accurate.

     

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

    “Google gives way”, and yet you’re using Chrome. Really?


     

    What effect does the author's choice of web browser have on the headline? It's about the content of a web page, not the thing displaying it.

  • Reply 6 of 80
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,241member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BobJohnson View Post

     

     

     

    What effect does the author's choice of web browser have on the headline? It's about the content of a web page, not the thing displaying it.


    The article is about a Google product losing to an Apple product. The irony is the author is using a Google product to discuss this loss. Will Chrome fall by the wayside? Only time will tell.

  • Reply 7 of 80
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    The market hasn't woken up to the damage done to Google's business model by Apple doing its own Maps.

    When you consider the value of the data Google was collecting from iOS users [you know, the folks who carry credit cards and spend 4x Android users on apps and media], Apple hit them where it hurts.

    There's a war between Apple and Google and right now and Google is far, far more vulnerable to an attack from Apple. Apple can cut off their access to the most valuable mobile analytics and data on the planet. That strikes at the heart of Google's business model. Spotlight in iOS 8 and Yosemite is yet another salvo:

    http://halifaxbloggers.ca/straighttech/2014/06/spotlight-the-war-between-apple-and-google/

    Why is there a need for a war? Google's business model doesn't really overlap Apple's and vice-versa. It's not as tho Google is taking away Apple device sales as they sell everything they can produce quarter after quarter and lead the world in profitability (ignoring oil). Outside of controlling the entire computer market and sucking up every last dollar of profit what more could Apple wish for? Apple and Google could peacefully co-exist, and in fact actually assist each other, if they choose. The "war" was of Steve Jobs making IMHO and hopefully Tim Cook has a different mindset.
  • Reply 8 of 80
    rob53rob53 Posts: 3,241member

    The next application I'd like to see get rid of Google maps is Costco's mobile app. When you get directions, it goes to maps.google.com. Come on Costco, you're carrying Apple devices again so reprogram your iOS app to use iOS native mapping.

  • Reply 9 of 80
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,033member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by BobJohnson View Post

     

    What effect does the author's choice of web browser have on the headline? It's about the content of a web page, not the thing displaying it.


    Correct.

     

    The essential point is that Apple will soon be paying Google even less for usage of Google Maps once the cutover to Apple Maps for Find My iPhone is complete. It's the fact that Apple is relying less on Google services for native and key functionality.

     

    Apple doesn't pay Google a dime when some end user downloads and runs Google Chrome on their Mac.

  • Reply 10 of 80
    andysolandysol Posts: 2,506member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post





    Why is there a need for a war? Google's business model doesn't really overlap Apple's and vice-versa. It's not as tho Google is taking away Apple device sales as they sell everything they can produce quarter after quarter and lead the world in profitability (ignoring oil). Outside of controlling the entire computer market and sucking up every last dollar of profit what more could Apple wish for? Apple and Google could peacefully co-exist, and in fact actually assist each other, if they choose. The "war" was of Steve Jobs making IMHO and hopefully Tim Cook has a different mindset.

    The war was Steve Jobs?

    So Steve Jobs put spotlight as a basic "search engine" in Yosemite?  Which, of course, by next year's OSX, will likely be a full-blown search engine?

    So Steve Jobs purchased 10 mapping companies the past 12 months and has made massive strides with Apple Maps?

    Steve Jobs introduced handoff & iCloud Drive?

     

    Please- Tim Cook is leading this charge, and in case you have forgotten- there is a thing called "Android"- and they absolutely overlap Apple's.  

     

    Stop acting ignorant.  Just once.

  • Reply 11 of 80
    addicted44addicted44 Posts: 830member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

     

    “Google gives way”, and yet you’re using Chrome. Really?




    Yeah, because Apple Maps is clearly a Google Chrome replacement...

  • Reply 13 of 80
    addicted44addicted44 Posts: 830member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by rob53 View Post

     

    The article is about a Google product losing to an Apple product. The irony is the author is using a Google product to discuss this loss. Will Chrome fall by the wayside? Only time will tell.




    The article is about a specific Google product losing out to a competing Apple product.

     

    Other Google products have nothing to do with this.

     

    It would be like complaining that a Safari user has Google as their default search.

  • Reply 14 of 80
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member

    Browser based Apple Maps can't come soon enough. I am not a huge fan of the standalone Maps App on OSX. Maps is usually used in conjunction with other browser based activity. 

  • Reply 15 of 80
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    andysol wrote: »
    The war was Steve Jobs?
    So Steve Jobs put spotlight as a basic "search engine" in Yosemite?  Which, of course, by next year's OSX, will likely be a full-blown search engine?
    So Steve Jobs purchased 10 mapping companies the past 12 months and has made massive strides with Apple Maps?

    Please- Tim Cook is leading this charge, and in case you have forgotten- there is a thing called "Android"- and they absolutely overlap Apple's.  

    Stop acting ignorant.  Just once.

    In what way does Google cause harm to Apple? By creating an OS originally intended to protect them from Microsoft's plans? Seriously? Yeah, Apple seems to be pretty hurt by it. And you thought I was being ignorant?

    Apple's search plans have little to do with Google IMHO and more to do with a recognition there's a bunch of money they can make with one, just as there's been with music and apps and other services outside of hardware sales. They're smart to diversify.
  • Reply 16 of 80
    andysolandysol Posts: 2,506member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post





    In what way does Google cause harm to Apple? By creating an OS originally intended to protect them from Microsoft's plans? Seriously? Yeah, Apple seems to be pretty hurt by it. And you thought I was being ignorant?

    Eric Schmidt: "Hey Larry, did you hear that Microsoft is going to launch a new mobile operating system?"

    Larry Page: "Really?  That will cut into Apples iOS shares- quick! Let's develop Android to protect Apple from Microsoft's plans!"

     

    iPhone / Nexus


    iPad / Nexus

    Apple TV / Google TV & Chromecast & Android TV & Nexus Q & whatever else they throw out every 6 months

    App Store & iTunes / Google Play

    iWork & iWork in the Cloud / Google Docs

    iCloud Drive / Google Drive

    Siri / Google Voice

    Maps / Google Maps

    Safari / Chrome

    Healthbook / Google Fit

    Passbook / Google Wallet

    Homekit / Nest

     

    Go away.

  • Reply 17 of 80
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    andysol wrote: »
    Eric Schmidt: "Hey Larry, did you hear that Microsoft is going to launch a new mobile operating system?"
    Larry Page: "Really?  That will cut into Apples iOS shares- quick! Let's develop Android to protect Apple from Microsoft's plans!"

    Go away.

    Perhaps you should research more. :\
  • Reply 18 of 80
    slurpyslurpy Posts: 5,382member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post



     Apple has been steadily working to improve its own mapping solution in recent months following a nearly disastrous debut that ultimately resulted in the firing of former iOS chief Scott Forstall.

     

     

    Love how AppleInsider keeps peddling this ridiculous, tired lie. The product wans't disastrous- it was the media's reaction to it, who were desperate to hang Apple by any thread that they could find, helped by all the anti-Apple shills- and sites like yours truly, who just went along with it. The cover photo for Apple "disastrous" maps was a broken 3D view for a location that was identical in Google maps and STILL hasn't been fixed in Google maps years later. Just think about that for a second, that should give you enough insight as to the honesty of the whole manufactured "disaster". Apple maps wasn't perfect at launch, nor is it now, nor is any mapping service on the planet (I still see a TON of mistakes with Google maps). But the reaction was laughable in its lack of objectivity, and AppleInsider cowardly follows the dishonest narrative that was set by those with an anti-Apple agenda, as if it was a fact. 

  • Reply 19 of 80

    Google declared war against the wrong company.  They thought a 'device' company couldn't compete with online services, and therefore would be ultimately defeated.  Google continues to pay the price for biting off more than it could hope to chew.

  • Reply 20 of 80
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,033member
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post





    Why is there a need for a war? Google's business model doesn't really overlap Apple's and vice-versa. It's not as tho Google is taking away Apple device sales as they sell everything they can produce quarter after quarter and lead the world in profitability (ignoring oil). Outside of controlling the entire computer market and sucking up every last dollar of profit what more could Apple wish for? Apple and Google could peacefully co-exist, and in fact actually assist each other, if they choose. The "war" was of Steve Jobs making IMHO and hopefully Tim Cook has a different mindset.

    And yet, Apple is clearly headed in a direction in which they rely less on Google's services and develop their own in-house services.

     

    With maps, Apple believes they can do a superior job than Google, and while they are still playing catch-up, Apple has expended a lot of time, money, and engineering resources to create Apple Maps. This Find My iPhone action is ample evidence that Apple is fully committed to their own mapping service.

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