All Devices Updated Apple Maps

[G1Ravage]

Yes, the changes can only be seen while in "navigation" mode, and only within a certain zoom level. If you zoom out too far, the colors change, and you lose the details. Here's that same area of Central Park:

And here is what appears to be a golf range across the river in New Jersey:

And a random park with a running track and ball fields, also in New Jersey:

 

[MozMan68]

Thanks! I wanted to hear your thoughts because of the way you checked out the new detail when you went to San Fran a few months back. You’re in the perfect position to judge.

It does seem possible though that new detail may be showing up for some and not others. So I’m not discounting the other poster’s impressions, esp since a lot of the changes he/she noted were in nav mode. You should turn that during your cab ride in.

Totally agree...and some of the points around navigation mode versus map mode make total sense as well.

With so many layers in play, it may be impossible to tell what is “new map” changes until we see a full blown NorCal change.

All I know is, I keep using it daily and making corrections and have no issues.

I think it will really come down to POI updates in the end. Google owns this part and Apple needs to at least match accuracy on that or get REALLY close before people start using en mass...and also if their corrections part is up to snuff as it seems to be now...damn....

 

[dk001]

One aspect that really needs help is finding things - general search. Been using it in parallel with Google Maps in SoCal last week and if I give it an address (AM) it does well. If I ask it (AM) to search in a general area it really comes up short. The location(s) are listed on AM when you zoom in, but a general search cannot find them. Example: Aquarium Supplies. AM shows a few options while GM shows pages.

For now, for me, GM is significantly better. AM is improving. Question: is it improving fast enough?

 

[gwhizkids]

One aspect that really needs help is finding things - general search. Been using it in parallel with Google Maps in SoCal last week and if I give it an address (AM) it does well. If I ask it (AM) to search in a general area it really comes up short. The location(s) are listed on AM when you zoom in, but a general search cannot find them. Example: Aquarium Supplies. AM shows a few options while GM shows pages.

For now, for me, GM is significantly better. AM is improving. Question: is it improving fast enough?

But are the relatively few aquarium supply stores listed relevant? I’d rather have a few relevant locations than pages and pages of them, many of which have to be located some distance away.

 

[dk001]

But are the relatively few aquarium supply stores listed relevant? I’d rather have a few relevant locations than pages and pages of them, many of which have to be located some distance away.

Yes. Put aside basics like Petco and Petsmart, Apple Maps is missing almost all of the LA area small independently owned shops. Those are the ones I tend to visit. Here is a quick SS between the two maps for the same search.

 

[MozMan68]

I checked some areas in navigation mode locally (on my phone...not CarPlay or anything like that)...no change.

 

[gwhizkids]

I checked some areas in navigation mode locally (on my phone...not CarPlay or anything like that)...no change.

Yeah, it probably stands to reason the NYC metro will be next after San Fran, both from prominence as well as number of users in the local install base.

I am about 58 miles NE of NYC and I don't have anything evident either.

 

[G1Ravage]

It seems Google Maps is trying to push out some new updates as well. Android users are starting to see speed limits and reports of police and speed/red light cameras on Google Maps. Nothing on the iOS versions, yet.

My iOS version of Google Maps did get an update today, bringing it up to Version 5.9. The release notes mentioned the maps now showing "landmarks" when navigating, which I assume to mean 3D buildings. However, I used Google Maps to drive up to my father's house in upstate New York this morning, and I didn't see anything new while using Google Maps through Apple CarPlay. The only special thing that popped up was Google Maps announcing "Welcome to Connecticut!" after crossing the state line on Interstate 684, including showing a little pop-up display with the Connecticut state logo. That was neat, but it didn't welcome me back into New York.

Google's navigation directions drive me batty. Apple Maps way outperforms them in that category.

 

[dk001]

Maybe there is a reason it failed to welcome you back?

 

[gwhizkids]

It seems Google Maps is trying to push out some new updates as well. Android users are starting to see speed limits and reports of police and speed/red light cameras on Google Maps. Nothing on the iOS versions, yet.

My iOS version of Google Maps did get an update today, bringing it up to Version 5.9. The release notes mentioned the maps now showing "landmarks" when navigating, which I assume to mean 3D buildings. However, I used Google Maps to drive up to my father's house in upstate New York this morning, and I didn't see anything new while using Google Maps through Apple CarPlay. The only special thing that popped up was Google Maps announcing "Welcome to Connecticut!" after crossing the state line on Interstate 684, including showing a little pop-up display with the Connecticut state logo. That was neat, but it didn't welcome me back into New York.

Google's navigation directions drive me batty. Apple Maps way outperforms them in that category.

Maybe there is a reason it failed to welcome you back?

LOL. I'm from CT and we need all the taxpayers we can get, so maybe that's the reason. The crossing he/she is referring to is literally a half mile stretch where a little triangle of CT sticks into NYS. Google probably didn't have time to realize the crossing had occurred before the re-crossing into NYS occurred.

 

[G1Ravage]

LOL. I'm from CT and we need all the taxpayers we can get, so maybe that's the reason. The crossing he/she is referring to is literally a half mile stretch where a little triangle of CT sticks into NYS. Google probably didn't have time to realize the crossing had occurred before the re-crossing into NYS occurred.

heh Is it really so small? Even at 75 MPH, it seems like I'm Connecticut for at least a minute and a half.

Speaking of Apple Maps, the search engine Duck Duck Go has dropped OpenMap, and has begun using Apple Maps for its search results. Check it out.

 

[baihan8]

Is SoCal up for others, too? Or is this another fluke activation of maps data that will most likely disappear in a day or two?

Edit: Running 12.1.2, BTW

 

[MozMan68]

No update here.

 

[G1Ravage]

Not seeing anything here.

 

[gwhizkids]

Nor here. Same east west cutoff line north of Paso Robles.

 

[kevo0822]

Not seeing changes in Maps on my XS... but using Maps on my iMac running 10.14.2, it looks like the rest of California was updated!

 

[G1Ravage]

Nice! Did the updates extend into Las Vegas, yet?

 

[baihan8]

Not seeing changes in Maps on my XS... but using Maps on my iMac running 10.14.2, it looks like the rest of California was updated!

I was about to take a guess until I saw your post that they might be activating new maps data by Apple ID, but if you have it on one device, this would appear not to be the case...

Nice! Did the updates extend into Las Vegas, yet?

It doesn't look like it. I took some screenshots comparing golf courses -- the one in LV has much less detail.

 

[G1Ravage]

Yeah, nothing on the main layer yet. If I switch to navigation mode, Vegas has the golf course details for most of its courses, but not all of them. I wonder if Apple quietly inputs new data into the navigation mode over the months, and then when 100% finished, they flip a switch, and it appears on the regular map.

 

[kevo0822]

Yeah, nothing on the main layer yet. If I switch to navigation mode, Vegas has the golf course details for most of its courses, but not all of them. I wonder if Apple quietly inputs new data into the navigation mode over the months, and then when 100% finished, they flip a switch, and it appears on the regular map.

Likely something along those lines.

I’ve been a pretty hardcore Google Maps user but Apple’s updated maps just look so good... probably enough of a motivator to get me to give Apple Maps a try again (once NYC/east coast gets the update)

 

[G1Ravage]

Likely something along those lines.

I’ve been a pretty hardcore Google Maps user but Apple’s updated maps just look so good... probably enough of a motivator to get me to give Apple Maps a try again (once NYC/east coast gets the update)

I used to only use Waze (on the phone itself) for the most part, until Apple CarPlay finally added Waze and Google Maps built in. I've been experimenting with all three of them, and I'm sometimes baffled as to what Google Maps shows me. They all have their imperfections. I have to agree though, that the way Apple Maps is *presented* is just getting better and better. Of the big three, you can tell Apple is trying the hardest to improve their product to go beyond the others.

I think Apple Maps biggest detractor right now is the difficulty at which you can search for things by voice using Siri. There's a learning curve in there, whereas with Google Maps or Waze, you mess up what you're saying, and they'll usually still find you the right address.

 

[imaginex20]

I updated to 12.1.3 and now my Apple Maps reverted to the old one without the SoCal updates. Really weird.

 

[dk001]

I updated to 12.1.3 and now my Apple Maps reverted to the old one without the SoCal updates. Really weird.

Saw this and had to look. Ditto. Not only that but Apple Maps loading is slow as hell.
3D sat Nav is there but Map has now gone back to "old style". Even building outlines are mostly missing.
Check this out
Apple Maps vs Google Maps real time as of this post.

Yeah, Apple Maps has just become ... old.

 

[MozMan68]

In NYC for my monthly visit and just checked...not noticing anything "new map" related. Even with all the 3D buildings near where I work (Times Square area), I'm expecting new Apple Maps to include much more defined building detail/shapes like I saw in San Francisco.

And while it looks like POI data is being updated, sometimes the map location is not correct. But damn, they are fixing it quickly.

Levi's Store in Times Square showed correct address, but wrong "location" (pin point) on map...so when I asked for directions, it took me to the pin point on the map and not the address in the notes....weird....but makes sense in a way.

Noted the error to them late Monday night and already fixed the next day. Map marker was moved to the correct address and directions are fixed.

I have so much hope for this...but damn, I hope most of this POI stuff is corrected when rolled out. Part of me assumes it is wrong because still dealing with the old layers, but maybe not.

 

[LizKat]

View attachment 768960
Here’s a quick screenshot I took in San Francisco. A lot more detail than beta 2.

Cute but clearly an urban thing... could look way different in a county where there are 30 people per square mile. Will be great for us hayseeds when we venture into cityscapes on our vacations.