UPDATED: The Internet gets angry about iOS 6 Maps
Apple’s new Maps app for iOS 6 has certainly set down a marker – but unfortunately it’s probably not in the right place. The new service, which replaces Google Maps for anyone who updates their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to the latest version of iOS, has attracted the ire of users for being, well, not as good as Google Maps.
The BBC gives a few examples: towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull are missing while others are in the wrong place; users reporting a furniture museum apparently located in a river; and many satellite images being obscured by huge areas of cloud. There are also complaints about the routing sending people miles out of their way or the wrong way down one way streets, and local searches resulting in strange results.
Apple has remained silent in the face of the criticism, but may have to speak up sooner or later. Tom Tom, which provides some data for Maps, has already defended its involvement by saying its info provides no more than the foundation of the service.
But the Internet has the scent of blood in its nostrils: “Google Maps” is trending on Twitter worldwide, and there’s already a tumblr blog, The Amazing iOS 6 Maps, posting screenshots of the app’s bizarre behaviour or terrible image quality.
Google Maps has been removed from the default iOS homescreen, and the company has yet to offer a replacement app – but any user frustrated with Apple’s Maps can still access the Google service through their web browser.
Have you had a bad experience with iOS 6 Maps? Share with the group below in the comments section.
UPDATE: Apple has released a statement. Spokesperson Trudy Miller told All Things D:
"Customers around the world are upgrading to iOS 6 with over 200 new features including Apple Maps, our first map service ... We are excited to offer this service with innovative new features like Flyover, turn by turn navigation, and Siri integration. We launched this new map service knowing it is a major initiative and that we are just getting started with it. Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better."
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Comments
codders
35 weeks ago
Having downloaded to iPad 1, I thought it was quite good. still at age of 74 all this stuff continues to amaze me!!
cgfw201
35 weeks ago
They've had a stinker here.
Underestimated the value of search with maps for one. Google = search = efficient apps.
Bluemoose
35 weeks ago
The whole area where I live isn't even in colour it's in black and white and every route seems to want to take me on the motorway when there's no need to. Very strange but can't expect everything to be perfect first time
stjohn_rowlands
35 weeks ago
I guess this all part of why a magazine not a million miles from here claimed the IPhone 5 offers the "best mobile experience" money can buy.
stjohn_rowlands
35 weeks ago
I guess this all part of why a magazine not a million miles from here claimed the IPhone 5 offers the "best mobile experience" money can buy.
timtimity
35 weeks ago
Radio Rentals still exists!
razzmatazz
35 weeks ago
steve jobs must be rolling in his grave by now.
@bluemouse -
that's the trouble with apple, man. they rely on the fact that their fans will forgive them indefinitely for every blunder they make.
they should have had the whole map thing perfected to details before releasing it. no one had a gun to their head. that's the apple spirit to me. and I bet steve jobs would agree.
Bluemoose
35 weeks ago
@razzmatazz I'm just glad I don't live near Australia think they've used the map data from captain Cook haha saying that it'll be more accurate than their poor attempt. :D don't get why they've changed something that worked just fine as it was google maps never failed. Why release something that clearly doesn't work??
raisin
35 weeks ago
I don't understand the fuss about the new Maps. I live in South Africa, and everything works perfectly and is mapped out correctly. Frankly, it looks and works beautifully
timtimity
35 weeks ago
Even the Maps icon is providing wrong directions. It's asking you to turn left while in the middle of a bridge.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Cupertino%2C+CA%2C+United+States&hl=en&ll=37.33217%2C-122.029524&spn=0.006927%2C0.016512&sll=52.8382%2C-2.327815&sspn=10.788175%2C33.815918&oq=cup&t=m&hnear=Cupertino%2C+Santa+Clara%2C+California%2C+United+States&z=17
ChrisPNoodles
35 weeks ago
Tom Tom "only provide the foundation". I'd say thats the most important part!
ChrisPNoodles
35 weeks ago
Flyover is cool but streetview is way more useful
asia piranha
34 weeks ago
If you are crowned the champion, you are expected to breath like a champion, walk like a champion, think like a champion, and, in fact, the world is not here to forgive and being kind to tolerate with your inadequacy while money is involved.
I was the first generation iPhone user back to 2007 and was all time apple fanboy till couple of years ago, which I started to see everybody is tapping on the same phone, using the same apps like robots, I decided to jump to another wagon, no other reasons, simply apple is no longer a trendsetter, the "hip" elements were deteriorated as Tim "Cooked" Apple.
Instead of choosing to forgive, I chose to forget and move on, as I don't really like to see a heavyweight American bullying a Korean boy, it's true bully.
andy333
34 weeks ago
Most people buy apple products because they want to pose off. Apple know that they're products are expensive and overpriced for what they are but if there's people out there silly enough to buy them then they will continue keeping their prices raised. This doesn't help Apple, in fact it goes against them as most sensible people will realise that it's overpriced.
Why no mention in the review about a lack of SD Card, Lack of USB, Lack of NFC Chip?
£20 more per month on your contract if you include 4G, than a standard smartphone contract, and a much higher purchase price, and for what...a nice aluminum back that you can't remove and put in a spare battery when yours runs out while you're on the go!