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Maps not recognizing road closures
- Thread starter kybldmstr
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Waze can be nearly instantaneous. As a “verified” user, I can go on my laptop and add/remove roads, add lane closures, etc. they do a good job of limiting access based on road type (I can’t close a major highway for example...only a local verified administrator can).
I’ve said it before in multiple threads, Apple had a rabid fan base that would do this work for free. I’m sure there are incredible software restrictions that prevent users from modifying the actual map as I can do in Waze...so fake it...allow the user input on a map so it triggers someone in Cupertino to make the change.
Maps is such an important part of the competitive landscape and app usage, I can’t believe Apple hasn’t taken the risk to make it as correct as possible as quickly as possible. Worth any downside IMHO.
Right but you can't change say the photos per the last page of the circle instead of intersection for example. I think some people just dont understand how mapping works and why they cant just let users modify roads; even with user reports. These things must be verified.
Apple likely could, the issue is unlike Google it doesnt provide it's own mapping data but rather from other sources. How much influence users have via Apple to the source, or how much extra time that takes vs Google, is unknown.
Google/Waze (ow owned by google) will have the update/changes speed advantage for the near future.
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And why will Google/Waze have the update/changes speed advantage?
Simple:
1) Google were smart enough to buy Waze when it was for sale, while Apple just did they arrogant “whatever”, only to file their own patent for user feedback mechanism in Maps several months later. What happened to this user feedback initiative, I wonder.
2) Later on Apple publicly stated during their iOS 10 presentation keynote that user feedback was not needed after all and they were going to rely on the AI technology instead to make Maps learn and self-improve. Where is all this magic happening?
Apple has enough cash to buy any technology/data needed to make their Maps shine and maybe seriously reevaluate their data sources, as in my example only Apple Maps & TomTom were getting it wrong.
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I can in Waze...that’s what I’m saying...it’s actually very simple (and fun).
Apple just need to either have the capability to have a trusted network of users make the changes live or have a trusted network of users submit so changes can be vetted and made ASAP from Cupertino (or regional offices dedicated to Maps updates).
I'll throw in my 2¢, as I am often juggling Waze, Google Maps, and Apple Maps. What a glorious waste of time...
I definitely prefer Waze and Google for routing and points of interest. To this day, POI info in Apple Maps is still atrocious. For me, traffic info is often better (more accurate) in Google and Waze.
One of the most frustrating things is making changes. I can submit a change in Google Maps that could be changed as early as the same day. Apple Maps can take weeks or longer. I was once notified about my change being accepted in Apple Maps FOUR MONTHS LATER.
I definitely prefer Waze and Google for routing and points of interest. To this day, POI info in Apple Maps is still atrocious. For me, traffic info is often better (more accurate) in Google and Waze.
One of the most frustrating things is making changes. I can submit a change in Google Maps that could be changed as early as the same day. Apple Maps can take weeks or longer. I was once notified about my change being accepted in Apple Maps FOUR MONTHS LATER.
There are issues with non-verified updates. I could, in theory, fake a road closure to force traffic past my business. Same as why they can't just change maps unverified. Find it amazing a couple a years ago we were happy with 6 month map updates which certainly didn't cover every road everywhere and not we object to not instantaneous updates
But Waze has always offered that...abuse is easily recognized as you must be logged in to do that. It certainly hasn't been an issue with Waze.
No worries, but I'd offer that I do not agree with you regarding mapping and routing accuracy. I can easily pick all of those apps apart with errors, however, I would rather spend my time correcting those errors - the aforementioned Corps breach still shows up in Waze, 3 years after I submitted it to Google and I still go to that project site for warranty checkups with one of the superintendents always ending up on the wrong side of the breach ("I was using Waze" is the failed battle cry there pretty much every time). My clients regularly call me for directions to a project or bid site, only Apple has recently tied in (in iOS 11) much newer road and aerial information, 2-3 years newer than Google's data, and maps.me (which I also use) relies on the OpenStreetMap data - great for some things, a kludge for other things.
As I alluded to earlier, but didn't get into fully, pretty much all of the major data sources have map editors - NAVTEQ, Tele Atlas, MapBox, OpenStreetMap.
Keep in mind one evil aspect none of my friends account for - persons submitting false edits and changes, and not just POIs. I see it as vandalism, and this type of issue is a bigger issue than most people can fathom. Over and out, and cheers.
I'm the guy from Poland!
I support you in 100%!
Although I try to use Apple Maps where possible and submit lacking POIs and road changes.
With everything in mind, Apple really suck at updating their maps, however, I found a really trustworthy and reliable chain of command and set of actions which will guarantee update of your report to Apple Maps in 12 MONTHS.
You will say that 12 months it's a LOT! Yes it is. But the satisfaction you get after you track this everything, and if those are some major omission, you have some time of stress-free navigation around you
But as one more indicates the lack of focus on Maps outside of states is very worrying. Google is also a global company and their care for maps in Poland is much better. The system of reporting things to Apple is handicapped. There is no ID reports, you cannot track it, cannot dispute it, cannot give additional photos on Mac (only on iPhone). It's really annoying.
Similarly, latest features, lane guidance and speed limits, TomTom has them, and they lease/rent/buy maps from TomTom so they should integrate it ASAP as well. Since they can do this, it's IT stuff. It's not driving through all roads in Poland, it's just integrating data from TomTom as they did with the rest (just add speed limits). But from some unknown reason, they don't want to do this.
They may regret it in the future.
Maps are the core of many services, Uber, prospective ARKit apps (they could integrate AR with outdoor mapping, placing), Pokemon GO, even though Pokemon Go will use ARKit, the game still uses Google Maps for its FOOTPATHS and all the other interface (and there is like 0.000000000000001% of footpaths in Poland in comparison to Google Maps), all food delivery apps, etc.
Maps are underlying tech, if Apple want to free developers from fees to Google, they need to step up.
PS I checked your case in latest TomTom maps in their official TomTom GO app, v.995, and like you said, it's still outdated:
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Hello there and I am glad you have found this thread!
Thank you for checking my spot in TomTom GO. I have uninstalled this behemoth from my iPhone as it was keeping about 6GB of data to itself. But their map error is not so surprising, as they use the same data for their old TomTom Europe app which I have.
Waiting for 12 months to get our correction in and having to use a special setup to get it done is not on, considering Waze will have it right in two weeks without us having to do anything and Google will readily correct it in a matter of weeks, not months.
So I am sticking to Waze for now (prefer its interface to that of Google) and will continue checking on AM evolution once iOS 11 goes out for everybody.
I tried to use Waze in Poland, Greater Poland district. But it seems like an overkill. The app was very sensitive to traffic, and suggested bypassing even temporary blocks, which were still easier to pass using main roads than their fancy side roads.
However, it's very good for police spotting and advanced re-routing when there is an unexpected block on the road.
And of course, map data is much more recent, but that's obvious.
Some time ago, maybe even a year ago (or more?), I read about Apple Maps India facility. 4000 people and it still takes a year.
I really don't know where the problem is.
Check out this place (Apple Maps), it's hard to report anything here. I doubt they will be able to verify anything under this image.
Cloudy-White-Black images in this locality.
[doublepost=1504529325][/doublepost]
And the map data itself it's just the tip of the iceberg.
What about other features.
What about GREEN areas (park nicely drawn), shopping center areas (yellowish?), what about waterpark areas, it's all nicely presentd in Google Maps or other maps. Whereas in Apple Maps in Poland it's ........ nothing (to say it politely). So even if you will have 100% roads from Google Maps (which is impossible), you will still look at the GMaps, and you will get a nice visual feedback, ok, here is green park/forest/park/kid's playground, here is the end of this facility, this building is also on the "hospital" land so it should be able to help me/ get in, etc.
Definitely different in the USA...those are all the things I love about Apple Maps. It's a shame they can't just get it right everywhere.
Waze’s latest incarnation is quite neat, allowing you to set it to “Avoid complex intersections” and set the routing priorities to shortest or fastest, amongst other things. You can also turn off the elements you do not want to see/use, like other Wazers on the map, etc.
Another great thing about Waze is how fast it will calculate your route. I have just checked and Waze was ready to go in 9 seconds, whereas AM took 16. Cold start for both apps, same destination picked from the favourites in both. And I have never seen those empty grid squares instead of the actual map in Waze that I get with AM in a zone with poor cellular data coverage.
You are right, however, that both Apple Maps and Google will generally come up with a route that is simpler to follow, with less turns, etc.
I was surprised that Ios11 Apple maps only shows the posted speed limit - not both posted and my current speed like waze.
With waze I don’t have to glance at my own speedometer — I can rely on the app.
I really wish waze would add lane assistance. I still sometimes have to switch to Google (or now AppleMaps) when navigating unfamiliar highways.
Otherwise I’m in the top 1% of Waze users in the state of Texas. Not sure if that’s something to brag about or not...
With waze I don’t have to glance at my own speedometer — I can rely on the app.
I really wish waze would add lane assistance. I still sometimes have to switch to Google (or now AppleMaps) when navigating unfamiliar highways.
Otherwise I’m in the top 1% of Waze users in the state of Texas. Not sure if that’s something to brag about or not...
I was thinking the other day that in today's lawsuit-happy society, Apple is opening themselves up to a potential lawsuit (or several) by preventing any other navigation app from being used with Siri or having lockscreen support.
The amount of fiddling one has to do if they choose to use an app other than Apple Maps on iOS is pretty sad. All it takes is for one major wreck to be blamed on distracted driving because the driver had to unlock their phone just to be able to see their navigation app and Apple stands to have a large PR problem.
All I'm saying is that with all the concern about distracted driving over the past several years, Apple isn't doing itself or its users any favors by restricting the use of Siri and lockscreen support for navigation to just their native app.
And all I’m saying is, feel lucky that you are legally allowed to be distracted enough to use any app.
No one owes anyone anything. You can use what you want...or buy a car that uses Android.
Wont fly the lawsuit against Apple over distracted driving was already dismissed that Apple is not responsible for people's actions using their devices. So the precedent is there that it wont fly.
You shouldn't be looking at your device while driving period, and using the voice guidance which Google Maps does fine while locked.
There is zero requirement that phone software manufacturers must play nice with everyone either. Otherwise well why doesnt Android allow Apple apps and imessage etc. The argument goes on and on at that point.
You shouldn't be looking at your device while driving period, and using the voice guidance which Google Maps does fine while locked.
There is zero requirement that phone software manufacturers must play nice with everyone either. Otherwise well why doesnt Android allow Apple apps and imessage etc. The argument goes on and on at that point.
I would use Waze if it was not for the advertisements that pop up. Also all the notifications I get after I get to my destination about how people "thanked" me for my road report.
The advertisements pop up only when the car is stationary and disappear when you start driving again. Those thanks are also delivered to you afterwards, so are easy to ignore.
I understand, still a deal breaker for me. I hate unnecessary notifications that you cannot disable.