Over at Search Engine Land Matt McGee has rounded up images and videos featuring Apple’s new maps. These are from developers that have early access to iOS 6. I have used a couple of the images from Matt’s post, since I don’t have a developer account.
These screens look similar to the old version of Maps on the iPhone but take things up a notch or two in terms of polish. Already there’s considerable controversy about how good these maps will be. For example, some people have pointed out they don’t offer public transit information (at this point) or quite as much detail on the map as Google presents (though that may be an aesthetic choice).
See Gizmodo’s side by side comparison of Apple and Google Maps:
Source: Gizmodo
Dan Lyons (Fake Steve Jobs) of Newsweek has written a very snarky piece about how Apple is harming its users by replacing Google with its own mapping product — to spite Google.
It’s also not clear how Apple is going to handle the challenges of managing local data. Apparently there is a form that allows users to submit corrections or problems directly to Apple. Yet it’s not entirely clear whether Apple knows what it’s gotten itself into in going into local search. However, there are some very smart people there on the geo-team.
We’ll have to wait until Fall when iOS comes out to know for sure how good these maps are. Until then here’s one of several videos that show off the developer version of Apple Maps; it focuses mostly on the 3D mapping features, which will be more useful on the iPad than on the iPhone.
June 22nd, 2012 at 5:08 pm
The maps look ok but are riddled with errors. Hopefully most of that will get fixed as more people use the device and information is sent back to apple.
Also, it seems many of the coolest features aren’t available on my iphone 4 (need a 4s)
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:16 pm
If I were able I would buy Yelp (and OpenTable). Stat.
June 22nd, 2012 at 8:16 pm
/able/Apple/
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Let’s hope that the errors are fixed by Fall.
June 22nd, 2012 at 9:31 pm
In terms of buying Yelp, it would be an interesting move (on in parallel with G-Z) but it take Apple further down the (local) rabbit hole.
June 23rd, 2012 at 9:52 am
The maps look pretty good to me!
Not sure if its happening in the US, but Yelp in Australia are already telling everyone that they are Apple’s local data supplier, and encouraging every Australian business to update/create their Yelp business profile so that they can get access to Apple users.
Check out the article here: http://www.smartcompany.com.au/internet/050166-claiming-your-yelp-page-a-step-by-step-guide.html
June 25th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Very interesting re Yelp Australia. They’re pretty mum here in the US about their specific role. Certainly quite far from doing something like using Apple to market themselves.
July 7th, 2012 at 7:02 am
Hey I know this is off topic but I was wondering if you knew of any widgets I could add to
my blog that automatically tweet my newest twitter
updates. I’ve been looking for a plug-in like this for quite some time and was hoping maybe you would have some experience with something like this. Please let me know if you run into anything. I truly enjoy reading your blog and I look forward to your new updates.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:30 pm
There are a lot of Twitter plugins for blogs. I’m sure the answer is in here somewhere, depending on what you need: http://bit.ly/L0FfKG