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Apple Maps

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Maps
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseJune 29, 2007; 17 years ago (2007-06-29) (powered by Google Maps)
Stable release
iOS 6 / September 19, 2012; 12 years ago (2012-09-19) (powered by Apple)
Operating systemiOS
Available inEnglish
TypeWeb mapping
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.apple.com/maps/ Edit this on Wikidata

Maps is a mapping service application developed by Apple Inc. for its iOS mobile operating system.

Background

The application was featured on the iPhone OS (now iOS) system since the release of the first-generation iPhone on June 29, 2007. It was powered by Google Maps.[1] A new version was announced by Scott Forstall at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2012 keynote on June 11, 2012. It is no longer powered by Google Maps, and instead uses Apple's own mapping system with data provided by TomTom, a Dutch manufacturer of navigation systems.[2] This move signaled Apple's effort to compete with Google's Android operating system in mapping.

Criticism

File:Apple--maps-google-maps-comparison.png
Image comparing the "naked" version offered by iOS's Maps (left) and the detailed offering of maps by Google Maps (right)

Upon the release of the new version on September 19, 2012,[3] many users and commentators were critical of the app for a variety of reasons.[4]

The app was criticized for its lack of certain features contained in Google Maps, including Street View and transit directions.[5] Users complained about the errors it contained.[6] This includes showing the wrong location of a Sydney, Australia Apple store,[7] marking an entire city as a hospital, misclassifying a nursery as an airport, and identifying the nearest gas station to be as far as 76 miles away from the user's location.[8] 3D views appeared in Maps are also completely distorted in some cases, with iconic constructions like the Brooklyn Bridge looking collapsed. Some parts of the globe have their satellite view completely covered by clouds.[8]

A blog was created on tumblr to cover the app's misdoings.[9][10]

In response to the criticism, Apple issued a statement, saying the company is "continuously improving" Maps and they "appreciate all of the customer feedback."[11] On September 28, 2012, Apple CEO Tim Cook posted a letter on the Apple website apologizing for Maps and suggesting that iOS 6 users use third party map apps or websites while Apple works to improve Maps.[12]

References

  1. ^ Pogue, David (June 27, 2007). "The iPhone Matches Most of Its Hype". The New York Times. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  2. ^ Chen, Brian X. & Wingfield, Nick (September 11, 2012). "Apple Updates Laptops and Mobile Software". The New York Times. Retrieved September 23, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Donna Tam (12 September). "Apple's iOS 6 release date: Start your downloads on Sept. 19". CNET. Retrieved 19 September 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Allsopp, Ashleigh (September 1, 2012). "Apple's iOS 6 Maps app fails to impress, users want Google Maps back". Macworld. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  5. ^ Fottrell, Quentin (September 21, 2012). "In Apple-Google maps war, consumers lose". MarketWatch. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  6. ^ "Apple's new map system riddled with errors". Emirates 24/7. Agence France-Presse. September 20, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2012.
  7. ^ "Six maps get Apple store, Sydney location wrong". The Register. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  8. ^ a b "17 People Apple Maps Has Already Horribly Misled". Gizmodo. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  9. ^ "The Amazing iOS 6 Maps". theamazingios6maps.tumblr.com. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  10. ^ Carey, Bridget (September 21, 2012). "Competition arising from Apple's map flop". CNET. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  11. ^ Wingfield, Nick (September 20, 2012). "Apple on Its iOS 6 Maps: Things Can Only Get Better". The New York Times. Retrieved September 25, 2012.
  12. ^ Cook, Tim (September 28, 2012). "A letter from Tim Cook on Maps". Apple Inc. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
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