iOS 7 and Maps still sucks

[nefan65]

I've had good luck with Maps. I'm in the Northeast, and don't do a ton of traveling. But when I've used it, it has worked well. I don't think it's been any worse/better than Google Maps [at least for me!].

 

[sk1wbw]

Just upgraded to iOS 7 and Maps still sucks. There are errors in road names. There are stores shown that closed 7-8 years ago. Stores that do exist are shown a block away from their actual location. In short it is virtually unusable, and it looks wholly amateurish compared to Google's maps. If Apple's maps is meant to be a fallback if Google ever pulled the plug on their map app, then Apple's is failing miserably. If Apple's maps was meant to replace Google's, then Apple's efforts are laughable.

I know what you're thinking: The OP lives in a small town in Scotland, and the focus should be the US first and then metropolitan areas outside the US. Perhaps, but part of Apple's tax minimization scheme is that Apple US uses Apple Ireland to pay for R&D. It seems odd to me that Apple Ireland would be more concerned about the US than Europe. Moreover, I pay more for my iProducts than people in the US do, as I suspect many people in Europe do. Apple has a wad of cash - why is it not spending it on providing services outside the US? Google certainly is....

If Apple can't get better data, then perhaps they had better start collaborating with Google to improve the experience of their customers.

You know that Apple doesn't have a field team driving around and checking street names, right? Apple gets information from other people/sources that update this stuff.

 

[Daveoc64]

You think that's strictly an Apple Maps thing? The data on Google Maps from my town is just as outdated - heck, there's still a missing bridge when it's been fixed for nearly five years now.

I just don't see the same problems with Google Maps (or anything else for that matter - Bing, OpenStreetMap, Waze).

I reported issues during the iOS 6 beta, like a road that seemingly runs through a supermarket that was built about 15 years ago, and nothing's happened about them.

Like I said, the problem is not necessarily about being out of date - it's that they've not done a good job in combining all the data sources they have to be as accurate as possible. It's just too big a task to do for the entire world in the way that Apple did it.

As an example, you can see a lot of satellite imagery in Apple Maps that's more accurate than their road vectors, which is pretty unusual for this sort of service.

The other mapping services built these things up over time, so for them, they don't see the sorts of problems that Apple does..

 

[VulchR]

You know that Apple doesn't have a field team driving around and checking street names, right? Apple gets information from other people/sources that update this stuff.

Yes. I get that. i fail to understand why don't have cars/people/etc. going around making sure information is correct in Europe. Simply waving their hands and saying 'we got it from poor sources' doesn't really enhance my user experience. But hey, there is always Google Maps. For now. And in the long run if Apple doesn't pull its finger out, there's Google's Android.

 

[eclipse01]

do you have to have data to use apple maps?

or does it go only on gps?

 

[Brittany246]

I've never once had a problem with Apple maps.

 

[MisterPunchy]

I've been using GPS navigation devices for a lot of years now, including Garmin/TomTom type dedicated devices, Google maps and iOS maps. Gotta. Say - they've ALL had issues with accuracy in location and directions. All of them. Who hasn't heard tons of crazy stories of people being misrouted by a GPS system at some point? I honestly don't believe Apple is any worse or different than the others, especially since they're the new kids on the block. In fact, I think their initial offering was superior to most of the others' when they first came out. Apple will improve with time like everyone else has had to. But I really think we complain more about Apple's shortcomings than any other company. We hold Apple to a different standard and are far more forgiving with other companies' weaknesses.

 

[comatose81]

What!? Errors in digital maps?! This is an outrage!

Next you'll tell me politicians lie!

 

[minimo3]

Maps has shown the wrong location for the biggest outlet in MA since the beginning (Wrentham Outlets). I've reported the error at least 4x over the past year or so, but nothing's changed.

 

[sk1wbw]

Yes. I get that. i fail to understand why don't have cars/people/etc. going around making sure information is correct in Europe. Simply waving their hands and saying 'we got it from poor sources' doesn't really enhance my user experience. But hey, there is always Google Maps. For now. And in the long run if Apple doesn't pull its finger out, there's Google's Android.

The car based GPS units that people stick on their windshield get information from the same sources. It's a widespread problem, just don't blame Apple and say their Maps app sucks.

 

[betabeta]

I'm in the US, and its just OK at best.

Maybe if they actually updated ONE thing I sent in as being wrong, I have and had others around the area send in changes as big as completely wrong street names and nope, nothing for a year.

Places completely in the wrong location, or haven't been there for 20 years LOL...nope no change...like a blast from the past, these schools, and business's are gone, yet now they live in Apple maps Of course some of places being wrong is one thing, BUT street names that are wrong should be fixed in a months time when you send that in, it's been a year since I sent in corrections.

Honestly it sounds like a huge job, but checking out map info corrections sent in wouldn't take as many people as you think. Too bad they don't have the resources, maybe it's a money issue.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I submitted errors for the problems I found as soon as Maps was released. Not even a single error has been corrected.

I have a large city park close to my house that doesn't show up. Along one street all of the restaurants and businesses are on the wrong side of the street. There is a shopping mall down the street that closed in 2004 and there is now a Walmart there, and the mall still shows up but not Walmart. There is a new highway that has been under construction for years, and the final 20-something mile stretch was completed last year. The final stretch doesn't show up yet.

All of these things are there on Google Maps. The missing segment of the highway is the biggest annoyance because when getting directions Maps doesn't know it's there and adds extra miles to the trip. I can imagine the trouble that causes for people who are travelling through the area and aren't familiar with that highway.

TLDR: If Maps isn't even accurate at home, I can't trust it when travelling. Submitted corrections seem to be ignored.

 

[james92se]

Just over the past summer, Apple maps has directed me to addresses on the wrong sides of highways or shown I had arrived at locations when the locations were really a mile or two away. It's been frustrating especially as my experience with apple maps has been fine up until this recent string of issues this summer. The most annoying part is the point you're driving along and realize Apple is steering you wrong, and then having to fool with your phone while still driving trying to pull up the Google app.

And this has all been in Dallas, not some remote outpost shanty town!

 

[cyks]

He means that he is forced to use it as the default on a bunch of third party apps.

You were forced to use it for the first year, and it was the default maps app for the next five years. The moment there was an alternative map app in the App Store, you were no longer forced to use it as an app, and you could always pull up a map system in the browser.

To sum up, Apple is not forcing you to use anything.

If the Google argument is irrelevant because you're not forced to use it then the Apple Maps argument is irrelevant too, since you're not forced to use it either.

Outside of the issue with Apple Map integration in some third party apps, what's wrong with the many other map apps that more than make up for the deficiencies present in some areas of the world with Apple Maps?

Since I'm not forced to use Apple Maps, please explain the steps required to change the default maps for Reminders, FindMyPhone/ Friends, and Siri.

 

[jwolf6589]

Just upgraded to iOS 7 and Maps still sucks. There are errors in road names. There are stores shown that closed 7-8 years ago. Stores that do exist are shown a block away from their actual location. In short it is virtually unusable, and it looks wholly amateurish compared to Google's maps. If Apple's maps is meant to be a fallback if Google ever pulled the plug on their map app, then Apple's is failing miserably. If Apple's maps was meant to replace Google's, then Apple's efforts are laughable.

I know what you're thinking: The OP lives in a small town in Scotland, and the focus should be the US first and then metropolitan areas outside the US. Perhaps, but part of Apple's tax minimization scheme is that Apple US uses Apple Ireland to pay for R&D. It seems odd to me that Apple Ireland would be more concerned about the US than Europe. Moreover, I pay more for my iProducts than people in the US do, as I suspect many people in Europe do. Apple has a wad of cash - why is it not spending it on providing services outside the US? Google certainly is....

If Apple can't get better data, then perhaps they had better start collaborating with Google to improve the experience of their customers.

If you dislike iOS 7 and prefer Apple to make a USER FRIENDLY way to downgrade to iOS 6, or if you have found bugs, or just have general suggestions then do what I have done and click here!

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Not too difficult. Stop complaining here and start complaining there! I have sent multiple messages. iOS 7 has some major advantages and new features, however also some drawbacks & bugs.

That was not difficult to understand was it?

 

[Still100]

Maps is generally improving but at least in the uk the data on local shops etc is 5-10 years old. They should just switch it off outside of Central London.

 

[Lerxt]

Apple maps is not much use where I live in Asia. It can't find any locations i search for whereas google maps can.

 

[ajay96]

It functions fine for me. So that is really all that should matter.

 

[Harrycooke]

Google maps told me it would take 15 minutes to walk 100 yards.

 

[happyslayer]

I live in the US - Phoenix, AZ - and I've had no real issue with maps. I really like it, actually. More so than Google maps. And I really like the iOS7 navigation utility. I recently went to New Mexico (I have a developer account and was running the GM) and it had no problem taking me to places in Alamogordo that I'd never been to. Since I got a dash-mount kit, I use the nav all the time now, even when I know where I'm going. I'm interested in knowing what Apple thinks is the best route.

It's sometimes not the best choice, as there are occasional issues with updating for traffic and construction sometimes, but it seems to be right the majority of the time.

Just my experience. I'm happy with it.

 

[ajvizzgamer101]

I use Apple Maps every day. Only problem I had was that I wasn't connecting to a satellite so Google Maps and Waze didn't work either.

 

[John T]

I find Apple maps to be fine.

Some people will always moan and complain about everything!

 

[thekb]

I've been using GPS navigation devices for a lot of years now, including Garmin/TomTom type dedicated devices, Google maps and iOS maps. Gotta. Say - they've ALL had issues with accuracy in location and directions. All of them. ...

This, this, this.

I acknowledge that some of you have had worse luck with Apple maps than others, but for me, it's really worked great. I've used it from Florida, all the way to Ohio and Wash DC ... a few minor glitches here and there, but by and large pretty solid.

 

[APhillyApple]

Maps hasnt let me down yet, doubt it will now. They are continuing to make it better.

 

[schizbomb]

I live in a top 10 populous city but just moved to a complex on an entirely new subdivision with new roads and I was impressed that Apple had it all mapped out within 2 weeks of me moving in (the complex opened in May). When I first moved in it had me in a field and no roads nothing.