iPhone SE (2016) I've not used iPhone for 10yrs - can it do these things yet?

[Mildredop]

My last iPhone was the 3GS, but the new iPhone SE has intrigued me and might tempt me away from Android. But I wonder if someone could answer me these?

1. Can you select default apps? I would want to use Google Maps, for example. Would clicking on an address open Apple Maps or can I select Google Maps by default?

2. Is there still a global settings app or are the settings for each app now within the specific app? I hated having to leave an app to go into another app to change a setting to then go back to the app to see if the settings app had changed the correct setting in the app.

3. Does the iPhone still have a physical mute switch? Or is it now (hopefully) software based?

 

[nick_iphone7]

.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I think you'll get to liking Apple Maps better than Google Maps. It used to be Google was behind the maps app on the iPhone until Apple Maps came out. Apple Maps lagged behind for quite awhile, but they worked on it a lot and it's pretty good now. Apple Maps also gives you directions with your Apple Watch if you get one of those. I think Google is kind of a rotten company, so I try to avoid using their products. They steal your info and sell it for profit. Google's motto used to be "Don't be evil." Now they're "Do only evil."

 

[ian87w]

My last iPhone was the 3GS, but the new iPhone SE has intrigued me and might tempt me away from Android. But I wonder if someone could answer me these?

1. Can you select default apps? I would want to use Google Maps, for example. Would clicking on an address open Apple Maps or can I select Google Maps by default?

2. Is there still a global settings app or are the settings for each app now within the specific app? I hated having to leave an app to go into another app to change a setting to then go back to the app to see if the settings app had changed the correct setting in the app.

3. Does the iPhone still have a physical mute switch? Or is it now (hopefully) software based?

1. Not on OS level. However, many apps already able to give you a selection of apps when you click a link (eg. between Apple maps and google maps, or between Safari and Chrome).

2. For first party Apple apps, their settings are still in the Settings app, but Apple slowly put some stuff to the app itself (like the camera). 3rd party apps, however, don't seem to have this issue.

3. Yes, and yes, iPhones can be muted via software as well by using Do not disturb.

If you're a longtime Android user. just stick with Android imo.

 

[Edd70]

My last iPhone was the 3GS, but the new iPhone SE has intrigued me and might tempt me away from Android. But I wonder if someone could answer me these?

1. Can you select default apps? I would want to use Google Maps, for example. Would clicking on an address open Apple Maps or can I select Google Maps by default?

2. Is there still a global settings app or are the settings for each app now within the specific app? I hated having to leave an app to go into another app to change a setting to then go back to the app to see if the settings app had changed the correct setting in the app.

3. Does the iPhone still have a physical mute switch? Or is it now (hopefully) software based?

I can understand being annoyed by items 1 and 2, but why would a physical mute switch be a bad thing?

In cars, for example, increasing amounts of physical controls are going to touchscreens, and the feedback on that is generally negative.

 

[Mildredop]

I think you'll get to liking Apple Maps better than Google Maps. It used to be Google was behind the maps app on the iPhone until Apple Maps came out. Apple Maps lagged behind for quite awhile, but they worked on it a lot and it's pretty good now. Apple Maps also gives you directions with your Apple Watch if you get one of those. I think Google is kind of a rotten company, so I try to avoid using their products. They steal your info and sell it for profit. Google's motto used to be "Don't be evil." Now they're "Do only evil."

I've tried all sorts of mapping apps, but two things that keep me going back to Google is the exemplary traffic info and the way, whilst you're driving, it's constantly showing other routes that are a few minutes slower or whatever.

 

[alien3dx]

I've tried all sorts of mapping apps, but two things that keep me going back to Google is the exemplary traffic info and the way, whilst you're driving, it's constantly showing other routes that are a few minutes slower or whatever.

google maps and Waze much better in my country but I'm not sure in the USA.Apple much snappy compare to My Samsung A20. Even we can not much tinkering like android, but do I have to play around those. For me not.

 

[bransoj]

I've tried all sorts of mapping apps, but two things that keep me going back to Google is the exemplary traffic info and the way, whilst you're driving, it's constantly showing other routes that are a few minutes slower or whatever.

Apple maps does the other routes and time difference as well, you just need to check the overview rather than zoomed in directions. I use it all the time travelling to and from work as i know the way so i can just see if any particular way is being affected by traffic and change accordingly. If its not a route i know i occaisionally check the overview to see whats happening. It also will bring up a notification advising if a particular route is over 2 or 3 mins quicker and ask you if you want to change the route. I also find traffic info on Apple Maps to be no worse than Google Maps these days.

 

[now i see it]

1. No
2. No
3. Yes

 

[Mildredop]

1. No
2. No
3. Yes

I guess I'll stick with Android then.

 

[mpavilion]

I've tried all sorts of mapping apps, but two things that keep me going back to Google is the exemplary traffic info and the way, whilst you're driving, it's constantly showing other routes that are a few minutes slower or whatever.

Yes! The main reason why I keep coming back to Google Maps, even after using other navigation apps for periods of time.

 

[alien3dx]

Yes! The main reason why I keep coming back to Google Maps, even after using other navigation apps for periods of time.

Even you using google maps, apple device have much good gps sensor and most of cheap android dont even have compass.

Old times
** Pure gps garmin - heavy rain,cloud fail
** Current cheap gps phone - Using triangulate tower ( really not accurate )
*** Good one will using both tower and gps
** Sensor GPS maybe slow either android and ios on exact location, do wait a bit time when using to share your location to other.

 

[planteater]

I drive a truck 48 states for a living and therefore live or die by good GPS. I use Copilot Truck GPS, Apple Maps and Google Maps on an iPad. Copilot is primary, but I typically have Apple or Google running on my phone.

In my experience, Apple beats Google in all areas except street view. Apples interface is better for its layout and clarity. The voice for turn directions speaks at more logical points along the trajectory. Traffic and routing are excellent. I find myself using Apple far more. I’d give up Google Maps before Apple without hesitation.

 

[alien3dx]

I drive a truck 48 states for a living and therefore live or die by good GPS. I use Copilot Truck GPS, Apple Maps and Google Maps on an iPad. Copilot is primary, but I typically have Apple or Google running on my phone.

In my experience, Apple beats Google in all areas except street view. Apples interface is better for its layout and clarity. The voice for turn directions speaks at more logical points along the trajectory. Traffic and routing are excellent. I find myself using Apple far more. I’d give up Google Maps before Apple without hesitation.

google will lesser update and hope for community respond. Both in problem anyway, if road keep changing. Apple not much outside USA. Openstreetmap also not much complete.

 

[planteater]

google will lesser update and hope for community respond. Both in problem anyway, if road keep changing. Apple not much outside USA. Openstreetmap also not much complete.

Perhaps Apple needs to up its game outside the US. But for here in the States, it truly excels. They’ve come a long way from the days of their bumpy start.

 

[mpavilion]

FWIW, the other thing I can’t deal with in Apple Maps (besides the cumbersome process for seeing alternate routes) is that it takes two taps to reveal the list of upcoming turns; and even then, it oddly emphasizes distances instead of street names/landmarks.

With Google Maps, you can at least swipe across the banner at top to see the next turn (and keep swiping for turns after that, if desired). Waze is even better — you just tap the top banner for a highly legible list of next steps — but I try to avoid using Waze unless I’m really stuck.

To be clear, Apple Maps does have certain UI advantages over Google Maps (especially when looking around at nearby businesses); but GM’s navigation features give it the edge for me.