Comments on: Maybe we’re the only hope for Apple maps

By: Avukat Arama

Avukat Arama — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:21:22 +0000

Never give up on google maps.

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 03:18:02 +0000

I just downloaded the Noika maps app, called Here. Looks good so far. Shows traffic. Vocalizes. I'l try it tomorrow when I drive back to New York.

By: IT Junkie

IT Junkie — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:49:45 +0000

Has anyone tried out the Nokia Maps alternative for iOS? I heard it’s supposed to be pretty solid and my past experience with owning Nokia phones would lead some credence to that.

I’m just clamoring for something better than the native map that Apple has stuck me with. I miss the native Google maps big time!

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 08:35:16 +0000

Thanks, Geoff. That’s the first positive review I’ve seen of Apple’s Maps app. Does Google want you to drive on the right side of the road too? Enjoy the trip.

By: Geoff Jones

Geoff Jones — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 06:46:03 +0000

I’m currently travelling in New Zealand and the turn by turn directions on Apple are truly awesome. I particularly like how it starts the address search in the immediate locality. Google maps was forever insisting that you were in the USA when doing an address search
M I have had a similar quick result in Cambridge UK

By: M

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 21:10:05 +0000

I used the “report problem” function because Apple maps was showing my house 5 blocks away from the actual location. When I checked maps a few days later it was fixed, so I guess they reported problems do get looked at.

By: Doc Searls Weblog · Maybe we’re the only hope for Apple maps

Doc Searls Weblog · Maybe we’re the only hope for Apple maps — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 21:45:01 +0000

[...] [Later...] Here is a screenshot that helps enlarge some points I make below in response to Droidkin’s comment: [...]

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:33:06 +0000

How is crowd sourcing not “boots on the ground checking and double checking map info”?

This is what Open Street Map and Waze already do. Its what Wikipedia does. FWIW, Apple already uses some Wazw and Open Street Map data. Why not go farther?

Not saying they don’t need to do the hard integrating work. They do. Just that they could use some help. It is out there.

FWIW, Apple does have a feedback loop, but it’s pretty well-hidden and is not duplex.

By: Droidkin

Droidkin — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 06:16:09 +0000

Crowd sourcing will not fix the underlying problem with Apple Maps…..basic map integrity. Google tried short cutting this step in the beginning of their map quest (pun intended). They learned the hard way…the only method that works is boots on the ground checking and double checking map info. Verifying the physical map info and making sure the digital data matched across all sectors of the map. Apple Maps is a patchwork of parts in disarray.
TomTom navigation may be acceptable in some places. But the deep integration of POIs with navigation and search is where Apple Maps starts to come apart. Apple’s best hope would be to work out a reasonable deal with Google Maps and bring them back on board. Quit shooting yourself in the foot Apple. Put your time and money to use in places that you can really expect a better return.