The whole day I have been reading on how the Apple new Maps is a big crap from the iPhone users. I did not bother until I went to Safaricom for the Presentation of IBM Research on how to improve Creative industry in Kenya. There I met one Ahmed Salim and the discussion quickly turn to the new iOS and how it is much better. First we go to the map, and I put the Samsung Galaxy S3 Android Google Map side by side with Ahmed’s iPhone with the latest updates.
Google Maps pinpoint and name exactly where we are, “Safaricom House” while Apple map just show a dot in the middle of what is shown as Nairobi map. At least the Waiyaki way is named but you can’t tell exactly where you are.
Ok, the roads are named on the iOS maps but some roads are missing and others are badly named:
Apparently I’m now on ARGWINGS KHOONEK heading to OTANGA Rd. Must be in a new city. #AppleMaps #Fail
— Sunny Bindra (@sunnysunwords) September 20, 2012
Below Comparing the Nairobi Map in general.. the screenshots from the Satellite view:
iOS6 Nairobi Map
Android Google Nairobi Map
According to the iOS update, the Maps which is among 200 new feature including the following on the Maps:
- Show the user Turn by turn navigation with spoken directons on iPhone 5, Iphone 4S, iPad Wi-FI.
- Flyover for photo-realistic, interactive 3D views of major metropolitan areas on iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPad( 3rd generation and iPod touch(5th generation)
I have no idea why Apple dropped Google map but this could be the turning point for the mobile industry as the users get frustrated with the Apple maps on iOS6. Apple have had an army of the consumer advocates (Apple fanboys) and in every turn they have defended Apple products despite the fact that in some aspect iOS and Apple devices have been lagging behind Android and even Windows phone.
That Apple Maps is Uber Fail. But will get better with time since it is just newly unveiled. However, since Apple prides itself with finesse, a lot was expected of them and they failed to deliver on that front. A Google Maps for iOS could be the deal breaker here. Most iPhone owners who are yet to upgrade may put on hold upgrading from iOS5 to iOS6 until Apple Maps is updated or Google premiers it’s Google Maps app in the Apple App Store. It is largely unlikely to result in ditching of the platform or migration to Android or Windows Phone (Nokia Maps).
Fucking apple! I updated to iOS6 hoping great improvement, what a dissapointment it was to check the new apple maps… fuck I can’t even describe how shitty it is.
It shows my location, like in the middle of nowhere. Google maps pinpointed exactly where I was, with street names and all, and this maps only shows names of large international roads.
Like, seriously? How does that help me at all?
Fuck you apple.