In-Depth Design Comparison of Apple Maps vs. Google Maps

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Posted December 13, 2014 at 5:34pm by Shalom Levytam

UX Launchpad has posted an in-depth design comparison of Apple Maps vs. Google Maps on Medium. The post is very extensive and goes through every aspect of the mapping applications to compare and contrast the approaches of two highly skilled teams working on a pretty unique design challenge.

Design is simply “deciding how a thing should be,” as William says in his book. But every decision has a tradeoff. Every thing you make easier can make another thing harder. There is no such thing as “the right design”. But we can learn a lot from seeing how experts in their field weighed the pros and cons of different approaches.

UX Launchpad is a one day, hands-on, fun design course in Seattle. It's run by Jon Bell, a designer at Twitter, and William Van Hecke, the design lead of the multiple-award-winning Omni Group and author of Learning iOS Design.

Hit the link below to check out the UI comparison, it's about a 43 minute read.

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Dumb - December 15, 2014 at 4:12pm

Waze for the win! It's GUIDE sucks but it's way better

GUI -- dammit

Nazzal - December 15, 2014 at 3:42pm

How could I say which is better !! Apple maps don't work in Jordan (( Middle East )) but Google maps work and support !!! So I think now which is better !! I don't need to talk. Bout details bc already it's not work here it's to much silly to buy my favorite mobile and my favorite company and its not support maps here !! I think we are live in other world !!

CryMeARiver - December 15, 2014 at 1:01pm

When I go for a quick flight on my unicorn, Apple maps. When I need to drop the kids off at the pool, google maps.

angexpress - December 14, 2014 at 5:28pm

Google Maps is a huge battery drainer. Apple maps is so much better at preserving battery life.

Tech Jedi - December 14, 2014 at 8:13am

Apple maps sucked majorly at first, but has rallied back. I use it regularly when I travel and rent a car. I haven't had any problems in major cities or rural towns now. Google maps have always been accurate as well. I say they are both equal when driving.

gamerscul9870 - December 14, 2014 at 12:47pm

I never had a single problem with Apple maps. They happen to do much more good than google ever did, hence even googles street view kind of sucked more than it did before, the back in time part may be cool though to say the least, but it's not enough to enjoy its potential.

Johnny Doe - December 13, 2014 at 11:58pm

And why is this News in the first place?!?!? Who cares. Just use both. End of story.

gamerscul9870 - December 14, 2014 at 12:21am

Because someone is actually revealing what makes the design of both better.

Mr. Job - December 13, 2014 at 9:23pm

lol. They are comparing these two ? Apple map is still a baby and on moms lap and comparing with a giant google. Hahaha

RoadWarrior - December 13, 2014 at 7:03pm

I use Apple Maps for my weekly travels and has been a life saver.. Once Google failed me horribly I never turned back.

gamerscul9870 - December 13, 2014 at 8:03pm

I feel you. No matter what browser and what zi do on it, the street view acts sluggish and some pictures come out cropped weird and blurry, and the loading is a chore to sit through.

Happy feet - December 15, 2014 at 1:03am

The constant tracking of location Google Maps makes devices slower, glad apple allows option to allow tracking when in use only or never for it simply sucks in many ways.

gamerscul9870 - December 13, 2014 at 5:39pm

As and no score for each comparison part?