Apple Leadership is 'Seething' Over Google Maps

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Posted December 15, 2012 at 6:19pm by iClarified

John Gruber of Daring Fireball reports that Apple's leadership is 'seething' over how the whole Maps saga played out.

My “It all worked out” observation was in no way an attempt to argue that this was Apple’s plan all along. In fact, quite the opposite. What makes it remarkable is that it’s all worked out despite clearly not being Apple’s plan. Apple’s plan was for their own mapping service to be, if not as good as Google’s, at least good enough that it didn’t make us miss Google’s map data. I think Apple — where by “Apple”, I mean the company’s collective executive leadership — is seething regarding the way this has played out. Everything from Apple Maps being the butt of jokes to the accolades and joy that have accompanied the release of the new Google Maps iOS app. Seething.

Gruber notes that while Google won by getting its app on the App Store it has lost its valuable spot as the default maps provider for iOS. However, at the end of it all, the real winner is the consumer who now has two free choices for impressive maps and turn-by-turn navigation in addition to the multiple of other navigation applications on the App Store.

Apple Leadership is 'Seething' Over Google Maps

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unklbyl - December 17, 2012 at 8:07am

Mapquest app. 1. Works 2. Accurate 3. Free

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Lucas - December 17, 2012 at 4:52am

I've gotten lost more times with this beta version than I did with the apple map app. Shame on you google. I like the android version.

NAVIGON rules. - December 17, 2012 at 2:46am

Apple and Google should focus on their core business instead of competing on fields where they've lost the battle before it has even begun! Apple designs the most incredible MULTITOUCH devices witch a such great UI providing a fantastic ergonomy and look n' feel. Expensive devices and quite closed OS but at the end of the day, stable devices/OS! When people who have access to the internet want to retrieve a piece of info, even in China with Baidu raising... they "GOOGLE IT". When you want to go somewhere, efficiently, without relying on cellular networks, use any applications released by a navigation company. And obviously, if I want a good coffee, I avoid Starbuck and Nescafé... whatelse... ;)) If you want to publish your private life to the world... enroll in social networks and tweet while allowing Google and Apple to follow you on a , even shitty, map ^.^

Jon - December 16, 2012 at 6:09pm

I agree that Navigon is a superior navigation product, not only because it does not rely on cell towers, but also because it shows your current speed, and the speed limit. Compared to Apple Maps, Google maps is less useful, because it cannot access my contacts. Navigon can also access my contacts. IF google maps adds contacts integration, it might be as useful as apple maps. Until then, google maps has been handicapped.

Skeeter2u - December 16, 2012 at 4:27pm

Apple maps has worked pretty well for me. I especially like to be able to use it with SIRI. "Guide me to ......." is all I have to say and the rest is automatic. I never have to type anything. So, until Google maps can work like that, I'm not really that interested, but I did download it as a backup. It works ok, but the interface is spartan. However, if you want really good maps that don't depend cell connection or that work in foreign countries without creating enormous data charges, then use Navigon. It costs, but works perfectly and never needs cell connection.

NAVIGON_MIGHT_LAUGHT - December 16, 2012 at 11:08am

Try to get google or apple maps working in remote area where there's no 3G. NAVIGON is by far the best navigation map. Quality and reliability has a price, it has always been.

John - December 16, 2012 at 10:21am

Good for google!!

Jim - December 16, 2012 at 9:14am

Maybe the experience will wake them up. It's not about the supplier... it's about the Consumer !

RickvanR - December 16, 2012 at 4:21am

The damage to Apple's carefully built up image is far worse than any Map dispute. They lost a $100 billion off the top. They may never again see the blind faith that they had with Steve at the helm. Sorry but true all they can do is fix it and then come up with, "The next big thing" or just become another horse in the race.

Leggoman - December 16, 2012 at 3:31am

Really? I don't know what you have all been using before google maps or apple maps, but I have the both and both are the worst mapping software iv used to date. Today I did 300 mile using google maps and I will not be using it again. It's very poor apple maps is only just better in look and feel. Google maps worked a much better route but just no information on screen and a pain to use. Apple maps data is poor and out of date but this can be put right in time and I think make a better map. But I am back to using tom-tom app for iPhone, again data can be wrong/out of date but the the feel and the hole app is much better ok I paid for it but you get what you pay for. Speed cameras, lanes, traffic poi, and more. Tom-tom for me. Imaps google maps have a lot to do before they are anyway near as good. tom-tom for me

m_thoroughbred - December 16, 2012 at 5:47am

You do realize that apple uses TomTom for its data in their maps app.

Noman - December 16, 2012 at 1:02am

This doesn't seem like a great choice to me. Before, we had the default map program, written by Apple and using Google's data. It did, however, lack turn by turn. Now, we can choose between Apple's map program (B+/A-) with Apple's Data (F) or Google's map program (D) with Google's Data (A+). Yes, we have gained by turn-by-turn, but we have otherwise lost big time.

David - December 15, 2012 at 11:30pm

I don't know what the big deal is. I've had terrible luck with the stock GPS in rental cars since its inception. It's not prefect and it never will be. You can't even count on 3G coverage so how can you expect it ever to perfect.

Jojo - December 15, 2012 at 10:11pm

Apple maps has worked fine for me for several months now. I used to use motion-x as my goto gps.

Simon - December 15, 2012 at 8:32pm

Not at all impressed with the new google maps app. Very slow to load, uses much more data than apple maps and seems very rushed. Not a fan of the UI either. Apple maps it is for me. Map data has been spot on for me here in SoCal. And I use it to navigate to and from about 10 different addresses per day.

thevmax - December 15, 2012 at 8:21pm

As if there wasn't infighting when Jobs was at Apple. Those kind of things happen at every company that has any real size and stature.

244 - December 16, 2012 at 12:03am

truth hurts i guess

Andrew - December 15, 2012 at 6:45pm

I personally like Apple maps. It has been good for me. However seeing as how I have an iPhone 4 the turn by turn voice is great with google and is the only reason I downloaded it

Mastrmnd213 - December 15, 2012 at 6:33pm

Need to change siri's coding good luck with that!

Pete - December 15, 2012 at 6:31pm

Now....how to get Siri to default to GoogleMaps?

Copperhead - December 15, 2012 at 6:53pm

Very good question there sir. As I am also pondering the same.

iPhoneBlogr - December 15, 2012 at 8:00pm

If your device is jailbroken, there is a new Cydia tweak called "MapsOpener," otherwise you'll have to wait for a jailbreak

m_thoroughbred - December 16, 2012 at 5:53am

There is a work around to be able to have Siri use look up locations in google maps. Open Siri and ask it to give transit directions to the place you want. Then it'll show you apps that give TRANSIT directions and google is one of them. Tap it and it'll give you directions in google maps.