Technology catch-all thread

[chw42]

I understand that we all use map functions...I haven't used Apple's, but I understand it is inferior to Google's at this time.

 

But come on...I mean it is a miracle people managed to get where they wanted to go before Google Maps!

 

And secondly, I am sure it still gives you a pretty good idea of what you're looking for...it isn't like you type in most addresses and get a map of Tokyo...

 

I don't think most of the problems are here in the states. A lot of international users don't get accurate directions.

[chw42]

People are like "But it doesn't show Hot Doug's ON THE MAP! How can I USE this?!?"

 

It's what you get when they expect everything to work on the iPhone...

[StrangeSox]

I travel for work. I use navigation more than I actually make phone calls.

Same.

[StrangeSox]

That was my point, it will most likely cover your basic functions decently right now, and will only get better as Apple learns.

It's an inferior product right now, and it's funny to see the industry leader stumble sometimes. Especially when there's a huge cult of personality (brand?) around them.

[Y2HH]

It's an inferior product right now, and it's funny to see the industry leader stumble sometimes. Especially when there's a huge cult of personality (brand?) around them.

 

The industry leader in what?

 

Android has a FAR larger marketshare, albeit split up amongst a bunch of different handset makers.

 

I pretty clearly explained the situation Apple was in when it came to Google Maps, if anyone bothered to read it. They had to do something, and this is that something. Of course it wasn't going to be *as good* as Googles offering at launch...but it will get better. This is just knee jerk reaction to change, I see it all the time.

 

Wait until you guys see/use Windows 8...if you want a user shock, it's nothing like Windows 7, or anything before it. It's like a touch screen interface on a desktop without a touchscreen...if you want to talk about a rushed/poorly thought out product for the desktop, it's Windows 8. It will work great on touch screens, though. This is just another instance of Microsoft knowing they had to do something drastic, before the industry passed them by...it's going to shock their users at first, but as they always do, they'll get over it and move on.

 

I'm not exactly sure what's been going on with Google Maps, but it's not just Apple that's become weary of doing business with them in relation to this product. Amazon uses a fork of Android on it's kindles/tablets, and even Amazon is jettisoning Google Maps and going with Nokia Maps -- http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2012/09/17/no...maps-geocoding/

 

Why would Amazon dump a product that's basically coded into Android? Something is going on with the way Google is doing business with Maps, and it's not just Apple that didn't like it.

 

Keep in mind, Apple didn't just walk away from Google Maps...they walked away with a year left on their contract, meaning Google gets a years worth of licensing fees from Apple for a product they aren't even using anymore.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Y2HH

[RockRaines]

I travel for work too and I never used the map application for GPS and directions, you guys used that instead of a superior GPS app?

 

It never really had turn by turn directions whatsoever so it was worthless.

[BigSqwert]

I travel for work too and I never used the map application for GPS and directions, you guys used that instead of a superior GPS app?

 

It never really had turn by turn directions whatsoever so it was worthless.

Yes but that was the native google maps app in Android which has turn by turn directions. I've learned in this thread that the google app on iOS was pretty lame.

[Y2HH]

Yes but that was the native google maps app in Android which has turn by turn directions. I've learned in this thread that the google app on iOS was pretty lame.

 

If it was the same App you have, I'd probably care more...it's what you had about 3 years ago.

[RockRaines]

Yes but that was the native google maps app in Android which has turn by turn directions. I've learned in this thread that the google app on iOS was pretty lame.

yeah, it was horrible, which is why I never used it except for the random traffic look up.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

Google Maps Oceans.

 

[Y2HH]

John Paczkowski of All Things Digital, citing multiple sources had this to say about the Maps hoopla:

 

"Requiring iPhone users to look directly at handsets for directions and manually move through each step — while Android users enjoyed native voice-guided instructions — put Apple at a clear disadvantage in the mobile space," Paczkowski wrote. "And having chosen Google as its original mapping partner, the iPhone maker was now in a position where an archrival was calling the shots on functionality important to the iOS maps feature set."

 

Sources reportedly said that Apple "pushed Google hard" to bring turn-by-turn navigations to iOS. However, Google viewed the capability as a "key feature" of its own Android platform, and decided to keep the functionality exclusive to Android handsets.

 

While Apple wanted voice-guided navigation in its iOS Maps application, Google wanted in-app branding and the addition of its Google Latitude service to the built-in iOS mapping service. Apple reportedly refused to concede either of those to the search company.

 

-----

 

While I love some of their products, Google can go f*** themselves.

[chw42]

John Paczkowski of All Things Digital, citing multiple sources had this to say about the Maps hoopla:

 

"Requiring iPhone users to look directly at handsets for directions and manually move through each step — while Android users enjoyed native voice-guided instructions — put Apple at a clear disadvantage in the mobile space," Paczkowski wrote. "And having chosen Google as its original mapping partner, the iPhone maker was now in a position where an archrival was calling the shots on functionality important to the iOS maps feature set."

 

Sources reportedly said that Apple "pushed Google hard" to bring turn-by-turn navigations to iOS. However, Google viewed the capability as a "key feature" of its own Android platform, and decided to keep the functionality exclusive to Android handsets.

 

While Apple wanted voice-guided navigation in its iOS Maps application, Google wanted in-app branding and the addition of its Google Latitude service to the built-in iOS mapping service. Apple reportedly refused to concede either of those to the search company.

 

-----

 

While I love some of their products, Google can go f*** themselves.

 

For once, Google plays Apple's anti-competitive game. Where were you when Apple decided to cripple third party browsers of core iOS features on purpose so that Safari would have superior performance? You sure didn't tell Apple to go f*** themselves.

[Soxbadger]

For once, Google plays Apple's anti-competitive game. Where were you when Apple decided to cripple third party browsers of core iOS features on purpose so that Safari would have superior performance? You sure didn't tell Apple to go f*** themselves.

 

Just wait, Samsung and Google are meeting this week. And they are supposedly going to meet with major carriers next week. Sounds like battle lines are being drawn.

[Brian]

I used the new maps for iOS 6 last week for a place in Skokie. They had me get off 94 and take a bunch of back roads. When I got to the place, it was right off 94 further east. I was like wtf!

[Y2HH]

For once, Google plays Apple's anti-competitive game. Where were you when Apple decided to cripple third party browsers of core iOS features on purpose so that Safari would have superior performance? You sure didn't tell Apple to go f*** themselves.

 

Actually I did.

 

I've said a few times that this is one of the major drawbacks to Apples closed approach. It has its advantages, however, but you have to deal with this type of disadvantage if you don't want to root/jailbreak.

 

I don't agree with artificially gimping competitors software, but I deal with it because iOS is my current choice of platform, and if/when I find the benefits are outweighed by this sort of drawback, I will move on. I've done it before, I'm sure I'll do it again.

 

I use chrome on all of my desktops, I'd much rather use it on iOS, too.

 

And I love how you say "for once" Google plays the anti-competitive game. That is so laughable I'm not sure whether to take you seriously, or tell you to go do some reading before repeating that nonsense again. Google plays the anti-competitive game with the best of them, don't be fooled.

 

Some reading: http://bit.ly/P6YHHr

 

Oh, and don't take this as me exonerating Apple for much of the same sort of nonsense...but the fact is, they all do it. Google is just especially annoying about it because they love to pretend they don't.

Edited September 26, 2012 by Y2HH

[lostfan]

I get the feeling a lot of Android users assume the maps application Google had on iOS was the same one they have on Android, when it was basically maps.google.com in an app, with limited functionality and no turn by turn.

When I originally made my post a couple days ago I didn't really think about it since I've never actually used google maps on iOS outside my house. Google's android version is way better. After thinking about this I get it now. Google didn't let those features come to iOS, and it forced Apple's hand. In order to have some kind of autonomy and make up the ground, they had to make their own version. Problem is that google has a much more mature product and apple is starting from scratch.

[lostfan]

I don't know why some of you guys are pooh-poohing this like "oh whatever, it's just a map." Speak for yourself, I use maps on my phone all the time.

 

I'm typing this comment from an iPad... It's not some kind of Applefreude, I actually care about mapping apps I can use.

[bigruss]

I don't know why some of you guys are pooh-poohing this like "oh whatever, it's just a map." Speak for yourself, I use maps on my phone all the time.

 

I'm typing this comment from an iPad... It's not some kind of Applefreude, I actually care about mapping apps I can use.

Well this move allows Apple to actually progress with their map app, so as a consumer you should be happy that they decided to be proactive about it.

 

In fact, all consumers in the long run will benefit from this. Anytime a serious competitor comes in versus the industry leader means there will be innovation and progress in that field.

[ChiliIrishHammock24]

One of my roommates has an iPhone and she was showing off how she can take a panoramic picture and stuff with the new update, and then she said, "Plus, they added this really cool new mapping thing. Apple Maps. I really like it, it looks awesome."

 

This was after having the new update for about 9 minutes. I hate her.

[chw42]

One of my roommates has an iPhone and she was showing off how she can take a panoramic picture and stuff with the new update, and then she said, "Plus, they added this really cool new mapping thing. Apple Maps. I really like it, it looks awesome."

 

This was after having the new update for about 9 minutes. I hate her.

 

There's your typical Apple user these days.

 

I was in a gen-ed class the other day. I sat in the back and in front of me...I saw a sea of Macbooks. At least 50% of the class had laptops open and at least 75% were Macs.

 

I think the "it just works" motto is more like "it looks really really nice and it's expensive".

Edited September 27, 2012 by chw42

[Quin]

There's your typical Apple user these days.

 

I was in a gen-ed class the other day. I sat in the back and in front of me...I saw a sea of Macbooks. At least 50% of the class had laptops open and at least 75% were Macs.

 

I think the "it just works" motto is more like "it looks really really nice and it's expensive".

 

I had to buy one for the Journalism school. I feel like I go undercover the second I whip out my PC it's like Armageddon.

[southsideirish71]

There's your typical Apple user these days.

 

I was in a gen-ed class the other day. I sat in the back and in front of me...I saw a sea of Macbooks. At least 50% of the class had laptops open and at least 75% were Macs.

 

I think the "it just works" motto is more like "it looks really really nice and it's expensive".

 

The anti-apple crowd is funny. Nothing offends your sensibilities like a person with a Macbook. Considering the average person uses a computer as a glorified typewriter with access to porn and Gangum Style does it really matter what they buy. Probably not.

 

 

 

 

[chw42]

The anti-apple crowd is funny. Nothing offends your sensibilities like a person with a Macbook. Considering the average person uses a computer as a glorified typewriter with access to porn and Gangum Style does it really matter what they buy. Probably not.

 

If they want to waste a few extra hundred bucks, it's not really my problem.

 

Do I tell my friends to buy Macbooks when they come to me for tech advice? No. Do I give them s*** if they buy one? Yeah, usually, if they're real close friends. That's usually because I don't want them to spend the extra money when there are equally good alternatives.

 

[southsideirish71]

If they want to waste a few extra hundred bucks, it's not really my problem.

 

Do I tell my friends to buy Macbooks when they come to me for tech advice? No. Do I give them s*** if they buy one? Yeah, usually, if they're real close friends. That's usually because I don't want them to spend the extra money when there are equally good alternatives.

 

How exactly is it a waste of a few hundred bucks. Is that the case for everyone who buys one.

 

 

[Quin]

How exactly is it a waste of a few hundred bucks. Is that the case for everyone who buys one.

 

I spent $1500 extra dollars for GarageBand and Final Cut Pro X in all honesty.