iOS6 - Terrible Maps - When is Google Maps coming back

I just looked from my computer and I didn't see it. Then I looked on my phone and it was there. Downloading right now. Could be an update in my future. We'll see...

ThomasMore66 wrote:

So are you guys prepared to move to another platform? My son has a new Samsung phone. I never thought I say this, but it's better. I'm still running IOS 5 to keep the Google maps.

Judging by some final comments about moving platforms, then silence from some earlier posters, I suspect, like me, they've discovered how popular and how good the alternative is. Yesterday I installed Google Maps on one of my abandoned iPad 2s and, while it's a capable replacement for the old iOS5 built-in Google Maps, it's not quite as user friendly as the original. However, it might evolve with updates and I might even resurrect my iPads - now that there's a better chance of selling them!

All a bit too late for Apple though - on an overwhelming majority staff decision, we've ordered several Samsung Galaxy phones and Note 2s for our touring business. Accurate mapping and full access to Streetview is vital and Apple stuffed us up badly. If they were in charge of making coat hangers and had an argument with their wire supplier, I suspect they'd happily remove the hook and call it an upgrade.

So Apple was supposed to raise an army and force Google to renew the contract.

Piffle.

I'm sure they will not collapse from your business. I did put Google maps on my iPhone. It still has my house in the wrong place and does not have my street name in my city. After reporting it repeatedly since Google maps appeared. Good thing your tour doesn't go by my house.

I see you've got lots of points, so naturally you miss mine. Your 'piffle' response is typical of other high scorers responding to the genuine concerns of serious map users and iOS 'upgraders' in general.

Sorry your house is in the wrong place.

You aren't the OP so you could not award any points anyway. Your response is typical of people who cannot understand how business works.

Downloaded the new Google Maps and while it's not quite the same, it seems to work pretty well. I need to understand how to make some of the things work, but I went ahead and updated my phone. I think I can live with this, but in my heart it does seem like a work-around. I've now spent some time with iTunes 11 and I'm having some of the same feelings-it's just not the same. I'm feeling like the shine is off this Apple...

lkrupp wrote:

Paul22

What makes you think Apple would allow a stand alone Google Maps app in the App Store? Why would Apple dump an inferior version of Google Maps only to allow a third party stand alone app from Google that will still be as crippled as the old one? Purely rumor and wishful thinking on the part of the drama queens here.

lkrupp: looks like your prediction that Apple would never allow a stand alone Google Maps App in the App store was totally incorrect.

All the huffing about Apple Maps. You'd think it was about something really important. After all, anyone who ever really wanted Google Maps could have always done so in a browser. Time for a reality check.

That's a bit of an oversimplification, dude - the browser version lacked several key features, and a web page/web app is a poor second cousin to a proper integrated app. Maps may not be important to you, but to lots of people they're a key feature of the iOS. I don't use the Twitter app, but I accept that it's important to some people so wouldn't presume to weigh in on an argument about Twitting (or whatever those crazy kids call it).

Still, we've now got the choice of both worlds as far as maps are concerned, so I'm happy. One day, the Apple maps will get to the stage where I can delete the Google maps app, but until then...

Have to agree with Code_Red and the Twitter analogy. Too many assume that we all use our devices for the same reasons and in the same manner every day. In fact, I suspect many within Apple also think their devices are more for fun than anything else or they'd have planned this Map 'upgrade' a little better. Our company bought iPads so we could use Google Maps intensively no matter where we were, but the very reason for buying and using them was cut short after just 12 months. Being told to 'Get over it' or 'Wait, we're fixing it ... ' isn't much help or consolation when there's contracts due.

I notice some well known tech reviewers are reviewing their Apple Map reviews, and offering up pages of excuses for all the nice things they said back in September. Probably the last thing I'll bother to read by them.

Don't bother reporting any errors . Just use the Google app instead . I reported an error in Taos , NM on Grahams Grille 's location 6 months ago and it still isn't updated . The Google Maps app is spot on . You would think some Apple executive might have a place in Sanat Fe or Taos , NM and they could do a drive by . I planned on helping Apple improve Apple maps , but not now, with that slow of a turnaround it will take them years to update and by then the businesses and roads will have changed again . What a joke . I am growing tired of Apple's responses to their business problems .

seewhynot wrote:

Don't bother reporting any errors . Just use the Google app instead . .... I planned on helping Apple improve Apple maps , but not now, with that slow of a turnaround it will take them years to update and by then the businesses and roads will have changed again . What a joke . I am growing tired of Apple's responses to their business problems .

Google Maps has been made an alternative background in a favourite iOS app (PlaneFinder HD), so I've begun to revisit these sorry proceedings. Swapping between Google and Apple Maps quickly in this app, over the same map area, highlights just how little Apple has done - in fact, next to nothing! Apple's over-promoted 3D flyover images are still very sparse. London (UK) is surely a city deserving reasonable 3D coverage, but shift the focus a couple of blocks away from central London and the Thames, and it's back to blurry flat images.

Maybe they've straightened up some wobbly bridges in NYC and re-erected the odd flattened statue, but map corrections don't seem to be happening. Nearly every Australian coastal town is still shown way inland and obvious spelling mistakes for other major locations stay uncorrected. Only one error has been corrected, that I know of, and that was because the media highlighted it was a serious risk to life where a city was misplaced into the desert ... in summer! All the nearby mis-locations remain and, since my app update, I can quickly flick between Google and Apple Maps, and I can easily see where these errors are, but Apple apparently can't. Or can't be bothered, so why should I?

As you say, any user's ambition to help fix their Maps seems doomed it Apple haven't even begun to sort out the most obvious mistakes already. And I don't think straightening out 3D images of bridges, overpasses and statues really what counts here!

To call Maps a disappointment is the biggest understatment I've ever made. Here's what I emailed to Apple "Support"

iOS 6.1 update?

Case ID: 410925732 How can I revert to the previous OS? The "update" resulted in a lousy maps app: 1. I am currently in Thailand and the only language on the map is Thai - formerly had both Thai and English street names. I assume this means that if I'm in any non-English language speaking country, I'll have the same problem. 2. The contrast between background and streets (as opposed to highways) is so slight that I cannot see streets at other than a very close zoom - not like before. 3. Lost my bookmarks - had about 50 fifty. 4. The "updated" app has no bookmarks and I can't create bookmarks. 5. Can't use the map to insert end-point of trip. 6. Has no information (hotels, places of interest, gov't offices, etc.) on the map. All of these functions were included in the app which was deleted, oh, sorry, updated.

It was recommended to use Google Maps app but that app suffers from no. 5 above - and, more significantly, apparently have to use it in conjunction with Google Maps on the computer (which I've never used). But then why should I have to go outside an Apple app for a basic function.

YouTube app was deleted. And no app looks as good as the one I had.

Although my service plan had expired, I as able to talk to a service representative! If I want to do so again I have to pay $60+ (don't remember the exact cost) per year. Assuming I paid that amount, there would be no information which would have helped me. I was told that there was nothing I could do. Can't revert to the old OS. Can't include bookmarks. Why should I pay for such service. I was even told I should have read the agreement (the contract) before "updating." That is, it was my fault. And I did not but I have read some of these agreements - I'm a lawyer - and I can assure you that there is nothing in there that would have stated, I will end up with a app which is useless. This was not an update, it was a downgrade.

Customer Service - that's a laugh.

Please give me reasons for staying with Apple products (just one example from iTunes: I was not warned that I shouldn't have downloaded an HD movie since I don't have HDCP. Then downloaded the non-HD version and got a message (about one week after downloading) that the time to view had expired. More money to Apple.

Maybe you can actually provide some service but I have to admit I don't think you can and I don't think Apple - the richest company in the world - cares to bother with providing service which is actually service.

One last point.

I can't rate this app. If I could it would get the lowest score possible - much worse than 3rd party apps.

And one last question (okay more than one). Did anyone test the map app? Was there a beta version? Did Apple consider all of the six points I made above. Why do you call it an update? Why is it may fault?

Cheers (well, not really) Brian Phillips

Yugobrian wrote:

Here's what I emailed to Apple "Support"

Nobody cares. Nice rant though.

Currently on holiday in Australia. This morning using Apple Maps, I got Autonav with what appeared to be Chinese additions to name places. About an hour later it was back to Apple maps. It occurred on both my Ipad and my wife's Mini Ipad. Is this signs of things to come?