Apple fail: Maps

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New Apple Maps Logo

Old Google Maps logo

Google maps was brutally axed from the iOS platform during the latest iteration of the operating system, as usual there is huge resistance from iOS users, since google maps was a better option to what is currently being provided by Apple maps.

While Apple maps are generally fine, with mapping data provided by tomtom and open street map, they lack street view, public transport locations and accurate POI data. To compensate for this short fall Apple has provided turn-by-turn navigation and unique 3d feature called flyover. while the turn-by-turn navigation is a critical feature which was missing from Apple's mobile platform, I'd much rather have street view than the terrible flyover feature which makes roads and bridges looks like roller-coasters and buildings look like sausages emerging from the earth. Another massive error on Apple's part is the launch of incorrect maps where entire cities are either nonexistent or are completely incorrect. Since I live outside the US and America, according to Apple, apparently I'm living in the middle of open grassland, though actually I live in one of the most iconic cities in the world. This move is very un-Apple-like, since Apple's motto always has been, "it just work's". Well in this case it doesn't work and me and many other people are forces to use terrible maps, we are being used as beta testers for maps which are no where near ready, we are paying for premium devices which have subpar maps, then are being forced to fix the problem ourselves. what infuriates me even more it that Apple still has a contract to use google maps for more than one year at least, so the very least that they could have done is to give us the option to use a certain brand of maps, okay maybe that last comment came out my imagination, Apple and options is like pigs with wings.

Well it's easy to blame Apple Google also plays a part in this. YouTube Was another Google service which was axed from iOS 6, but instead of telling people to use their browsers, google submitted a much better youtube app for the iPhone before iOS 6 came out. Google has really been dragging their feet when it comes to services for Apple products. Since the beta of iOS 6, it was known that Apple would axe google maps, this is really a marketing exercise by google to show the superiority of google maps the end user and get some publicity of how good google is compared to Apple. While the stigma of terrible maps might stick to early adopters of Apple's new devices, Apple would eventually updated their maps, since there's been some much publicity. There lies the problem, when Apple eventually updates maps, people might just stick to Apple maps and not care about google maps, this would represent a significant loss in market share and profit.

So in conclusion Apple stop using your customers as Guinea Pigs, and google don't be evil and think about the end user, while this is a temporary 1up, it might become a 2down.