koffiejunkie
Executive Member
So, how are things shaping up? How are the maps in S.A.? A friend showed me some screen shots of the type of searches I would usually be doing, and they all seemed to give good, reliable results.
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My opinion on Apple Maps
- Thread starter SuperNev
- Start date
The change from Google's map data has allowed my location based reminders to finally work. I only have limited experience using the maps in Johannesburg but I haven't had any issues yet, and like I already mentioned most locations are more accurate than when they were using Google's data.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
Thanks. I had an opportunity to play with a friend's iPhone today with iOS6. I'm not really impressed - it's missing a lot of the content that the Google maps have in my area - things like restaurants, shops, etc - and I'm in frikken central London.
Either ways, I've been looking at alternatives, and have found a few worthy ones:
1. Google Maps through other means. You can load it in Safari or Chrome - yes it sounds like a b-grade version of the real thing, but it works suprisingly well. You don't have pins to drop, but then you have access to "My Places" which I use quite extensively to plan for travelling. There are also a host of apps that use Google Maps, like Latitude, Runkeeper, Travel Deluxe, a host of travel apps, etc. I don't know if these use Google Maps simply because it's available on the phone, but I suspect not, since some use other maps, for example Trip Advisor that uses Bing.
2. Bing Maps - Yes, it's an app, and yes, it's sacrilege to some, but hey, it works. The maps are pretty good, the interface is not as slick as Google Maps, but not bad.
3. OpenMaps (Pro) - based on Open Streetmap project. It's quite good, it's had everything I've looked for so far, and the pro version allows you to download maps, which is super useful for travelling abroad and avoiding extortionate roaming costs.
Either ways, I've been looking at alternatives, and have found a few worthy ones:
1. Google Maps through other means. You can load it in Safari or Chrome - yes it sounds like a b-grade version of the real thing, but it works suprisingly well. You don't have pins to drop, but then you have access to "My Places" which I use quite extensively to plan for travelling. There are also a host of apps that use Google Maps, like Latitude, Runkeeper, Travel Deluxe, a host of travel apps, etc. I don't know if these use Google Maps simply because it's available on the phone, but I suspect not, since some use other maps, for example Trip Advisor that uses Bing.
2. Bing Maps - Yes, it's an app, and yes, it's sacrilege to some, but hey, it works. The maps are pretty good, the interface is not as slick as Google Maps, but not bad.
3. OpenMaps (Pro) - based on Open Streetmap project. It's quite good, it's had everything I've looked for so far, and the pro version allows you to download maps, which is super useful for travelling abroad and avoiding extortionate roaming costs.
cerebus
Honorary Master
Have you tried Nokia Maps in the browser? Also meant to be good.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
I'll give it a try, thanks.
crysis
Expert Member
If felix baumgartner used apple maps, he would have been the first person to walk on mars.
Synaesthesia
Executive Member
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Apple maps is a lot better in South Africa than Google maps ever was on iPhone. I get turn by turn voice navigation, traffic, it's a lot faster, better looking and it's got great map data, mostly from Tom Tom I would guess. More information than Google Maps. It's been accurate for me every time.
koffiejunkie
Executive Member
Having played with several friends' Apple Maps on iOS6 devices, and having tried just about every maps app available on the iPhone, I have to say I'm quite OK with the maps themselves. That's not the issue. The real issue is the content search that comes with that.
Something I do all the time in google maps is let it figure out where I am, and then search for something like "Indian food" or "starbucks" - and I get a localised response. Not one other map client can match Google Maps in the quality of responses. I stood in front of Kahns in Queensway (London, UK), a restuarant that's been there since the 70s[1]. Only Google Maps suggested it as a source for Indian food. I see the same thing over and over. Where ever I go in London, what ever I search for, I can find 99.99% of the time in Google Maps, and mostly never with the others.
[1] If you ever happen to be in London, Kahns in Queensway is some of the best Indian food you can find (and that includes all the restaurants in Southall).
Something I do all the time in google maps is let it figure out where I am, and then search for something like "Indian food" or "starbucks" - and I get a localised response. Not one other map client can match Google Maps in the quality of responses. I stood in front of Kahns in Queensway (London, UK), a restuarant that's been there since the 70s[1]. Only Google Maps suggested it as a source for Indian food. I see the same thing over and over. Where ever I go in London, what ever I search for, I can find 99.99% of the time in Google Maps, and mostly never with the others.
[1] If you ever happen to be in London, Kahns in Queensway is some of the best Indian food you can find (and that includes all the restaurants in Southall).