AARoads Forum

It's been a while, but I'm back. I got the new iOS 6 today and I wanted to see how you all rated the new maps.

I won't know until they come out with a jailbreak for it.  :D

These new maps are AMAZING! The text kinda looks like Bing maps. Bit I've seen how each state's state route markers, and they're amazing! Each state with their own shields instead of the default shield similar to Google's. Shame it isn't as updated as Google (like how I-69 isn't listed in the 10-mile stretch near Corpus Christi and its segments in Kentucky). It's neat how lists a city's neighborhoods in the map (which helped me find out that there were more neighborhoods in Salinas than I knew of). Overall, it's great and another great project by Apple.

There are errors in it. Part of M-553 south of Marquette has CR 553 pentagonal shields, even though CR 553 was "upgraded" to state highway status in 1998. (Marquette County, like most of Michigan's counties, does not use the pentagons for county roads; most counties don't use them for CRs that aren't part of the state-wide CDH system) In addition, M-554 is signed even though a) it was never signed and b) it's been decommissioned since 2005. I didn't see green and white BS I-75 markers in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan either.

That said, it's the debut of a new mapping product, and I'm sure they'll iron out the bugs.

Speaking of errors, the map claims that NY 422, NY 358, and NY 239 all still exist. Also, there are NY 237 shields on NY 77.

It does not handle concurrencies/multiplexes. The following is one example.

One highway in Indiana is both US 35 and SR 22. Also, highways generally carry their county road name on street signs (not highway markers), so in Howard County it is "00 NS".

On iOS 6 on my iTouch, it is marked as "00" in a county highway pentagon. This is the absolutely poorest choice for many reasons. On iOS6 on my iPad, this same road is marked as US 35. If it can only show one designation, I suppose this is the best one. I guess I need to see what this road shows up as on the iPhone.

Where is the data from? Is it generally better/worse than Google Maps?

Quote from: bulldog1979 on September 19, 2012, 09:59:14 PM
That said, it's the debut of a new mapping product, and I'm sure they'll iron out the bugs.

What makes you so sure?

It still shows the Netherlands Antilles, but then again, it shows South Sudan.

It's obviously been given some human cartographic treatment, which is good and fitting with Apple's design principles. If they continually apply the same conscientious approach to maintaining the data as they certainly did in creating the app to begin with, it will grow into something very nice. But again I stress, keeping their data competitive, as Google and Mapquest have, will be a huge determining factor, because I can still go into Google Maps Mobile very easily via a home screen shortcut to my web browser, and I have the Mapquest app and the MotionX (Bing) app as well.

Is this still limited to Apple suckers?

Another error is that MD-200 (the Intercounty Connector in the Maryland suburbs of DC) is shown as I-370 for its entire length.

The "Show Traffic" option now brings up a little icon to show where roadwork is underway.

I never used the old one for navigation while driving and I doubt I'll use this version either. I prefer to use the car's built-in sat-nav because it's easier to operate and has a bigger screen that's better-placed for viewing at a glance.

Didn't vote in the poll because I'd have to give it a grade of "incomplete." Just haven't used it enough. I DID notice when I played with it yesterday that when I asked for a route to a relative's place in Florida it wanted me to go straight through Richmond on I-95 instead of going around on I-295, which struck me as odd. I'll have to play with some other routings that I know well to see what it suggests compared to Google Maps and Bing Maps.

I'll stick to my Garmin, thanks.....

I started a discussion about this when I first got the beta a number of months ago:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=6911.0

My opinion still stands. I like it visually, but the piss-poor map data makes it damn near unusable. I was in DC last weekend and showed my hotel as being a shell station, and the Walgreens that was supposedly around the corner was in actuality an insurance office. When I tried to find a particular restaurant, it showed it as being two blocks away on the wrong road. Google Maps had none of these issues.

The 3D flyovers are pretty, but I see no practical use for them.

There's practically no traffic data. I know that Apple is trying to use crowdsourced traffic info, but the fact that they don't also pull in the standard traffic from various government agencies make it absolutely useless.

Apple removed transit directions. That removes much of the usefulness for travelers.

Quote from: Scott5114 on September 19, 2012, 11:06:15 PM
Where is the data from? Is it generally better/worse than Google Maps?

A number of sources. TomTom is listed as the primary source, but they also list a multitude of other sources like OpenStreetMap and the US Census TIGER data.

You mean the images like this one:

http://www.universalhub.com/2012/forget-macarthur-park-according-apple-deck-melted

Quote from: NE2 on September 20, 2012, 03:11:21 AM
Is this still limited to Apple suckers?

Quote from: NE2 on September 20, 2012, 03:11:21 AM
I implicitly disagree with any choir-preaching statement such as roads are good, NIMBYs bad. If I do not express this explicitly, it is because I prefer to discuss more interesting and constructive topics. Don't let my silence fool you into thinking yours is the only valid view.

I find your reply and the highlighted part of your signature to be quite humorous...  :rolleyes:

I like the look...use of individual state shields, the fonts, the colors. It seems to load faster than Google maps. I like the rotating and 3D views.
The navigation feature worked great, voice commands were timely and accurate. On both trips so far the ETA was right on, and this was in the middle of L.A. traffic.

All that said...it's taken my home address in Long Beach and placed it at a similar street and number Huntington Beach. If I type the address in manually it gets it right, but from my contact info it's wrong. Tried clearing out that address, re-entering it, playing with abbreviations, Zip+4, etc., nothing helped.
It has deprecated route numbers still signed (all of CA-42, CA-72 on Harbor Boulevard), "extensions" of routes (CA-107 on Hawthorne south of PCH) - these are all also on the app version of Mapquest (though not on the regular version), so I assume they're pulling that data from the same place.

Not having "official" traffic is a mistake; as is the lack of transit information.

If I recall correctly, the "melted" bridges and such are similar to early versions of Google Earth? In any case, the bridges they do have in the 3D database (Golden Gate, for example) look great.

I'm surprised after antennagate that Apple would release something this buggy, but I agree with bulldog above that they'll make it better with updates, because it seems like, in terms of a productivity feature that's not communication-related, maps and navigation are such a key component of any smartphone, that it would only hurt Apple to have an app that's not at least on par with what the competition has.

Quote from: roadman on September 20, 2012, 09:31:00 PM
You mean the images like this one:

http://www.universalhub.com/2012/forget-macarthur-park-according-apple-deck-melted

Funny, since I have an iPhone 4 I can't view that sort of thing–that particular feature is limited to later editions.

Just saw this from one big chuckle-thread...

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FsWtsN.jpg&hash=43805f5614b88bcd9024e163adaf06c04d92067b)

Most of my local areas are okay, as are most of the big cities, but many bridges, buildings, etc. are clearly wrong. From what I've read, all of the Maps are being rendered on cloud servers, which means Apple can update them silently. And I do like that the maps are vectorized now, and have nice looking icons.

Coming from Google Maps, it's a downgrade right now, but I do think it has the potential to improve quickly. And if anyone is looking for a job, Apple is hiring mappers right now.

I like Apple. I buy Apple products.

But these maps are a disaster.

In addition to the sheer factual errors, there's also a dearth of relevant information - i.e., college campuses are empty and parks have no trails.

The 3d effect is pretty, but exponentially less practically useful than actual street-view.

Google is hardly perfect, and even it has taken over a decade and a lot of money to get to this point with its maps. IMO, Apple really screwed the pooch by thinking they could just take a year or two and throw $50 million dollars at this thing and produce something that wouldn't be a significant drop-off from the current leader in the industry. Then, to force it on users with iOS-6 has just compounded the problem. They really should have waited until they had a genuinely competitive product before putting it out there. All Apple has done here is solidified my trust (and thus patronage) in Google when it comes to on-line maps (and I doubt I'm the only one), which is their loss.

I really, really miss the traffic info.  That was by far the primary use of the maps function for me.  I don't give a shit that there is pothole repair going on in some alley.

Also, check out our new arena!

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbishopdan.com%2Fimages%2Fphoto.png&hash=d669913268f79c5fd6a3cb0d829c1131f96d03b4)

the fuck, they took away the traffic reports?  how is the absence of this feature in any way a net gain for the user?

looks like I'll be keeping my i4 a bit longer.

Quote from: 6a on September 24, 2012, 02:54:59 PM
I really, really miss the traffic info.  That was by far the primary use of the maps function for me.  I don't give a shit that there is pothole repair going on in some alley.

I used (and continue to use) the traffic info from the Sigalert app instead...generally more accurate, shows where and what the incidents are.

Personally, I just love the Hoover Dam highway-as-a-roller-coaster image!!   :clap:

It's apparent to me that they rushed this new mapping software out before all of the "bugs" were ironed out.  Probably because such an implementation is very time consuming and it wasn't *quite* ready at showtime.  So, they did what they could. 

It may look amusing now, but I see a lot of potential in what Apple is trying to do here.  The errors are simple enough to address with app updates.  As are some of the criticisms.  But the mapping itself looks pretty sharp.   

Quote from: agentsteel53 on September 24, 2012, 03:09:34 PM
the fuck, they took away the traffic reports?  how is the absence of this feature in any way a net gain for the user?

looks like I'll be keeping my i4 a bit longer.

Technically, they didn't remove traffic reports; they switched to using crowd sourced traffic provided by Waze. So in places where someone happens to have Waze or the iOS 6 maps open, Apple will report traffic data. That works well on paper but there is just almost no data, and it's next to worthless in rural areas.

Quote from: DTComposer on September 24, 2012, 03:14:59 PM

Quote from: 6a on September 24, 2012, 02:54:59 PM
I really, really miss the traffic info.  That was by far the primary use of the maps function for me.  I don't give a shit that there is pothole repair going on in some alley.

I used (and continue to use) the traffic info from the Sigalert app instead...generally more accurate, shows where and what the incidents are.

OK, that's cool.  I'd always thought of Sigalert as a CA thing, now I know it is not.  This app is really touchy, but once I set it where I want it, it does the same thing I wanted from the old iPhone app.  Thanks for letting me know about it.

You may or may not be amused by the various comparisons here. http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=51543

Hence why my iPhone and iPad still have iOS 5.1.1 on them.

Quote from: Kacie Jane on September 24, 2012, 10:29:02 PM
You may or may not be amused by the various comparisons here. http://iwastesomuchtime.com/on/?i=51543

Wow, even WSDOT is joining in the fun.

From what I have been reading, Apple Maps is a straight-up cartoon. If this was a rating based on the number of laughs it could get, I'd rate it a 10.

But, I gave it a 1 for many reasons.

You'd think that as a maphead, I'd be more bothered by the problems with the app, but frankly I'm just not. For one, I'm familiar with many of its quirks as pretty typical of digital map technology (like the "melting" 3D landscapes and patchy aerial imagery). Add in the spotty and inaccurate data, and on the whole, the app isn't much different from how Google Maps was when it was a new thing. Google has vastly improved over the years, and given the same development period, I'd fully expect Apple Maps to be just as good if they decide to put effort into it. (Obviously, part of the consternation is that a well-developed product was replaced with an upstart attempt, and that's a valid complaint, but the nature of the problems themselves isn't especially remarkable.)

And furthermore, since I am a map enthusiast, I already have so many different apps and things that I can also use, that the loss of just this one isn't nearly as big a deal to me as it would be to someone who always relied exclusively on the Google app. It's the same as how I use the WeatherBug and TWC apps far more often than Apple's native Weather app. If the latter were to go away, it wouldn't affect me all that much.

And then there's the icon. (http://www.businessinsider.com/take-a-closer-look-at-the-icon-for-apples-terrible-maps-app-2012-9?)  :-D

Quote from: empirestate on September 26, 2012, 07:57:10 PM
on the whole, the app isn't much different from how Google Maps was when it was a new thing. Google has vastly improved over the years, and given the same development period, I'd fully expect Apple Maps to be just as good if they decide to put effort into it.

The problem is, Google Maps was a "new thing" in 2005. It's taken them seven years to get to where they are right now. Even accounting for a quicker development process given advances in technology and methodology, etc., I still don't have the patience to wait for Apple Maps to evolve into a legitimately comparable product, especially when you consider a) Apple's complete refusal to crowd-source (which is a massive help for Google) and b) the fact that it's hardly like Google is just going to be sitting on its laurels this whole time. Factor in egregious personal problems that I have with Apple's product (i.e., pretty-but-practically-worthless "3d" view in lieu of actual street view), and all Apple has done is cemented Google as my online map provider of choice, and I know I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Google also started out with better quality too.  Remember, Google only recently started doing its own data.  For the longest time, they got their data from the same provider as MapQuest.

So far I have held out and kept the ipad at IOS 5 in part because of the reaction here and elsewhere to the Apple Maps, and in part because I usually like to let a new OS iron out the bugs for a month or so before jumping in.  I'll probably do the update in a few weeks, and if and when Apple's maps aren't good enough, I'll go to maps.google.com in Chrome.  Other than losing a bit of screen real estate to the browser's tabs, I don't think I'll mind being in Chrome as opposed to the standalone Google Maps app.

Quote from: Jim on September 28, 2012, 10:46:17 AM
So far I have held out and kept the ipad at IOS 5 in part because of the reaction here and elsewhere to the Apple Maps, and in part because I usually like to let a new OS iron out the bugs for a month or so before jumping in.  I'll probably do the update in a few weeks, and if and when Apple's maps aren't good enough, I'll go to maps.google.com in Chrome.  Other than losing a bit of screen real estate to the browser's tabs, I don't think I'll mind being in Chrome as opposed to the standalone Google Maps app.

I was going to ask if Google will do their own downloadable Maps app once it's no longer part of the iOS.

I usually wait until the bugs are ironed out and there's a jailbreak. Plus, where I am on HughesNet satellite internet, the iOS updates are larger than my daily download allowances and the connection is slow and prone to resetting. I always have to wait until I'm traveling and am at a hotel with reasonably fast wi-fi before I can download any major app updates, much less the system upgrade.

Have I mentioned lately that HughesNet blows goats and I have proof?

Apple's Tim Cook apparently apologized for Maps, and suggested that folks use Google and Bing maps - presumably via web browser in the case of Google Maps - for the time being.

IMHO, they shouldn't have killed Google Maps within iOS 6, but certainly could have included Apple Maps as a beta - because that's really what it is at this point.

From what I've gathered, they didn't want to continue the deal with Google where the preinstalled "Maps" app was Google's.  And Google has not yet submitted a Google Maps app for IOS to be available in the App Store.  It sounds like they will, but they're just kind of enjoying sitting back and watching Apple embarrass themselves over this for a little while.

From what I have heard Google actually has an iOS 6 app ready to go but it's just waiting on approval from Apple.

I also wouldn't ascribe Google's success to crowdsourcing. Their accuracy level was highest with their original data from NAVTEQ, took a hit when they switched to Tele Atlas, then went all to hell with the crowdsourced data. It's a wonder it's still more accurate than Apple.

Bing's got issues, too. "BR" on business routes gets shown as "Branch".

Steve Jobs was IMMENSELY pissed at Google because he believed Android was a rip-off of iOS. No doubt that had something to do with it.

Quote from: Scott5114 on September 28, 2012, 07:41:35 PM
I also wouldn't ascribe Google's success to crowdsourcing. Their accuracy level was highest with their original data from NAVTEQ, took a hit when they switched to Tele Atlas, then went all to hell with the crowdsourced data. It's a wonder it's still more accurate than Apple.

Google's problem is that they don't have good quality control. Someone makes an oops like marking US 209 as I-209, and it goes live rather than getting caught. OSM, meanwhile, is 100% crowdsourced and has quite a high level of accuracy... but that is of course helped immensely by the fact that only map geeks have ever heard of it and the idiots who submit all the stupid errors to Google don't touch it. I suppose, also, that it being less well known makes it a less attractive target for vandalism.

Quote from: 1995hoo on September 28, 2012, 09:44:05 PM
Steve Jobs was IMMENSELY pissed at Google because he believed Android was a rip-off of iOS.

As a Droid user, I... can't argue with that assessment. :meh:

Not the first time Apple has had a big idea stolen. Windows was a rip-off of the original Mac GUI, let's not forget. But that's just how capitalism works: you're going to have competitors offering a similar product, no matter what you make. And being the person who had the idea is meaningless if someone else can implement it better than you can.

Don't forget that the Mac GUI was itself a ripoff of something Xerox invented. 

It's probably more along the lines that they wanted to save money by not having to license the app from Google or that they wanted to bring people closer to the Apple brand than petty revenge from a dead CEO, though.

Quote from: Duke87 on September 28, 2012, 10:45:47 PM
Not the first time Apple has had a big idea stolen. Windows was a rip-off of the original Mac GUI, let's not forget. But that's just how capitalism works: you're going to have competitors offering a similar product, no matter what you make. And being the person who had the idea is meaningless if someone else can implement it better than you can.

Windows better than the Mac OS? Excuse me while I  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Relevant. Ever look closely at the Apple maps icon?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-ec.buzzfed.com%2Fstatic%2Fenhanced%2Fweb05%2F2012%2F6%2F12%2F13%2Fenhanced-buzz-29031-1339521580-1.jpg&hash=c66917781bc4d110254a605b5fc572954fb3982c)

EDIT: Oh someone already pointed it out earlier, but I found this really funny when I realized it today  :-P

Biggest deal to Apple was that Google was keeping "turn-by-turn directions" exclusive to Android and wouldn't provide it to iOS.

And yes, Apple isn't above borrowing or buying something that it thinks is good. Neither is Google.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 29, 2012, 02:36:26 PM

Quote from: Duke87 on September 28, 2012, 10:45:47 PM
Not the first time Apple has had a big idea stolen. Windows was a rip-off of the original Mac GUI, let's not forget. But that's just how capitalism works: you're going to have competitors offering a similar product, no matter what you make. And being the person who had the idea is meaningless if someone else can implement it better than you can.

Windows better than the Mac OS? Excuse me while I  :rofl:

I speak in terms of measurable business success, not subjective opinion. Windows has always had a greater market share than MacOS, though they have lost some ground in recent years.

"Better" just means "makes more profit". Consumer appeal depends on more than quality of product, it also depends a lot on cost. A good enough cheap product will always beat out a top notch expensive product. This is the exact same reason Sony lost the home video war: Betamax was a better product than VHS, but it was more expensive and the extra quality did not justify the extra cost to people.

Of course, it's corporations that drive market share with computers more than individual consumers. Even if more people are starting to like Macs, the accounting departments at every major company in America still see that they're more expensive and will never start buying them unless that changes.

Quote from: Scott5114 on September 29, 2012, 08:13:29 AM
It's probably more along the lines that they wanted to save money by not having to license the app from Google or that they wanted to bring people closer to the Apple brand than petty revenge from a dead CEO, though.

Maybe, maybe not. If there's any company I could see sticking with a dead CEO's desire for revenge, or with his other biases (such as his anger at Adobe and consequent refusal to allow Flash on the iPhone and iPad), it's Apple. Don't know whether that's a factor in this particular case.

Quote from: hbelkins on September 29, 2012, 02:36:26 PM
Windows better than the Mac OS? Excuse me while I  :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I use both Windows 7 and OSX regularly both for work and at home. I find OSX more pleasant for casual use and Windows 7 more productive for serious work. The OSX dock is a textbook example of bad HCI design IMO and is a source of endless frustration for myself.

Opening up the app store on both my ipad and my iphone today, there's a new "download maps that don't suck" button. I think Bing is my favorite of the free ones.

Macs are really good if you want something that "just works".  If not, you're probably better off with Windows (or Linux).

http://www.cultofmac.com/194031/one-thing-apple-maps-does-way-better-than-google-maps-image/

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2Fapplemaps.jpg&hash=a74a57e1f263bdfa2f4908b526f0d43f798b214e)

I was wondering what the Oklahoma shield looked like on Apple Maps. They definitely could have done a worse job.

Texas looks really weird though. What's up with that? Is that shield used for all Texas highways or just the FMs?

Quote from: Scott5114 on October 03, 2012, 09:57:06 AM
Texas looks really weird though. What's up with that? Is that shield used for all Texas highways or just the FMs?

They use it for FMs and RMs as in real life, and a generic square with outline for state routes.

Has anybody spotted markers in the app for secondary highways in TN or MT, etc.? How about Indian routes?

Quote from: empirestate on October 03, 2012, 11:14:56 AMHas anybody spotted markers in the app for secondary highways in TN or MT, etc.? How about Indian routes?

The state route markers in Apple's Maps are something that looks immensely better than anything in Google or Bing (or any other mapping apps) in my opinion - if only they used FHWA, I think they would look fantastic. This coming from someone who sticks mostly to Bing Maps.

I want to extend empirestate's question and ask if Apple's Maps signs Interstate Business Spurs and Loops with the green shield. I have someone with an iPhone/iPad I can ask, but I'm wondering if anyone knows this already. Also, do bannered (Alt, Business, etc) US Routes/state routes have banners on the shields in Apple's Maps? At least Bing Maps does this - Google just signs both roads with the same shield, leading to a ton of confusion.

I'll confirm they use a green shield on at least some Interstate business routes. I just zoomed in on Fayetteville, NC, to check. Don't have time nor inclination to swipe around checking others.

US routes don't have Business/Bypass distinguished. In fairness, the writing would have to be really tiny to squeeze that in there.

Quote from: 1995hoo on October 04, 2012, 10:15:41 AMI'll confirm they use a green shield on at least some Interstate business routes. I just zoomed in on Fayetteville, NC, to check. Don't have time nor inclination to swipe around checking others.

US routes don't have Business/Bypass distinguished. In fairness, the writing would have to be really tiny to squeeze that in there.

Thanks for checking! I saw on a screenshot on another site that they are using the correct shield for the Kings Highways in Ontario, Canada also, so I bet they really did their work and have others, like the Trans-Canada Hwy and possibly unique shields in other countries done as well. The attention to detail of the shields certainly makes up for the lack of detail otherwise.

Doing a little browsing, I've found:

Secondary highways in MO using the generic square (no outline)
Secondary highways in MT using the same, not the arrowhead design
Some quadrant routes in PA using the same

Secondary highways in TN using the primary route marker

County routes in WV using the correct (circle) marker

County trunk highways in WI using the correct (square w/top and bottom outline) marker

No special markers for NYS parkways

PA toll/turnpike routes using a green keystone (no similar treatment for FL toll routes however)

Texas:
NASA 1 just marked as SH 1 (square with outline)
No shield for OSR
Beltway 8 marked as 8 (square without outline)
Recreational roads: square without outline
Toll 121 has shields both with and without outline (other toll roads seem to be only with outline)

Puerto Rico has primary, urban primary, secondary, and tertiary shields all correct. So do USVI highways, but no roads are even shown in Guam or American Samoa.

The occasional county pentagon

Various bannered/spur/derivative/variant routes tend to use the square, no outline, which is probably the app's default shield

Quote from: Ace10 on October 04, 2012, 10:20:56 AM
The attention to detail of the shields certainly makes up for the lack of detail otherwise.

I dunno about that, I'd rather have a map that actually functions as a navigational device first and foremost.

It is very cool, but it seems to me a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

Quote from: wphiii on October 05, 2012, 12:24:40 PM

Quote from: Ace10 on October 04, 2012, 10:20:56 AMThe attention to detail of the shields certainly makes up for the lack of detail otherwise.

I dunno about that, I'd rather have a map that actually functions as a navigational device first and foremost.

It is very cool, but it seems to me a bit like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

I agree. I didn't mean that it completely made up for all the other shortcomings, but the route markers are certainly a very nice touch that many other mapping apps don't have.

I do like the fact that the app uses vector data instead of rendered tiles like Google Maps does. I have never used Apple Maps, but that seems like that would make using it faster since you don't have to wait for the tiles to download.

It certainly looks like a very pretty app, and would probably blow Google out of the water if the data were the same...but it's not.

Quote from: Scott5114 on October 05, 2012, 07:53:19 PM

It certainly looks like a very pretty app, and would probably blow Google out of the water if the data were the same...but it's not.

is there a hack that puts Apple sprites on top of Google's map data?

Quote from: Scott5114 on October 05, 2012, 07:53:19 PM
I do like the fact that the app uses vector data instead of rendered tiles like Google Maps does. I have never used Apple Maps, but that seems like that would make using it faster since you don't have to wait for the tiles to download.

It certainly looks like a very pretty app, and would probably blow Google out of the water if the data were the same...but it's not.

It's Apple.  Pretty is all that matters.

Quote from: Stratuscaster on October 03, 2012, 09:22:18 AM
http://www.cultofmac.com/194031/one-thing-apple-maps-does-way-better-than-google-maps-image/

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2Fapplemaps.jpg&hash=a74a57e1f263bdfa2f4908b526f0d43f798b214e)

I like how the Oregon shield is of 372, a completely unsigned route. Not according to Apple though, they sign what they want to  :-D

Quote from: doorknob60 on October 10, 2012, 02:51:37 AM
I like how the Oregon shield is of 372, a completely unsigned route. Not according to Apple though, they sign what they want to  :-D

That's not unique to them. I've seen online maps that show an I-478 shield for the Battery Tunnel in New York (I-478 is unposted)–Google Maps used to but no longer does, Bing Maps still does.

I downloaded IOS 6 last night; here are a couple things I noticed about the maps:
- Arkansas' highway shield is a square and not the state outline
- I-40 through Downtown Oklahoma City is shown on the old alignment which closed in February 2012 and has since been torn down

Quote from: Stratuscaster on October 03, 2012, 09:22:18 AM
http://www.cultofmac.com/194031/one-thing-apple-maps-does-way-better-than-google-maps-image/

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcultofmac.cultofmaccom.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F10%2Fapplemaps.jpg&hash=a74a57e1f263bdfa2f4908b526f0d43f798b214e)

Huh. Helvetica much? At least Apple's efforts in using the proper road markers established by MUTCD is greatly better than Google's squares and circles on most routes. And, yeah, the Texas shield does look a bit distorted. The yellow "120" shield looks more something you see on a UK motorway map. My guess is that the "120" is Wyoming's shield.

Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen recently installed Apple Maps in his F1 car, which led to some trouble at the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend...

Quote from: Sonic99 on December 04, 2012, 11:48:45 PM
Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen recently installed Apple Maps in his F1 car, which led to some trouble at the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend...

:-D :-D Good stuff. Thing about it is, there's a gate at the end of that part of the old circuit. It used to be left open.

...and he still finished on the lead lap! He's a trip, I tell you.

(It was "open" on F1 [1995] and F1 Championship Edition [1997], from my own recollection.)

I thought maybe he had just partied too hard the night before.

Yes.

He was driving on an old alignment of Interlagos. (Kimi, the roadgeek?)

Apple Maps does have accurate looking shields for both British Columbia and the Mexican Autopistas, whereas Google Maps just uses generic circles for both.

Quote from: Billy F 1988 on December 04, 2012, 04:00:41 PM

Quote from: Stratuscaster on October 03, 2012, 09:22:18 AM
http://www.cultofmac.com/194031/one-thing-apple-maps-does-way-better-than-google-maps-image/

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Huh. Helvetica much? At least Apple's efforts in using the proper road markers established by MUTCD is greatly better than Google's squares and circles on most routes. And, yeah, the Texas shield does look a bit distorted. The yellow "120" shield looks more something you see on a UK motorway map. My guess is that the "120" is Wyoming's shield.

Better Apple's Helvetica than Google's Arial. :P

It looks like they distorted the Texas shield to fit the numbers without having to shrink them, which I guess makes sense (the numbers on a real Farm-to-Market Road shield are pretty small, when you think about it), even if it's not very pretty. They still get an A for effort, at least.

the worst part of that apple/google comparison... just what the Hell order are those states in?  not alphabetical, and not geographical by any sensible projection. 

it took me about a minute to find the Texas, and that was after I gave up attempting to reason with it, and just brute-forced it starting from upper left.

Quote from: Stratuscaster on October 03, 2012, 09:22:18 AM
http://www.cultofmac.com/194031/one-thing-apple-maps-does-way-better-than-google-maps-image/

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Y'all need to check out the MapQuest mobile app now...

Oooo.  Smexy.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFxh7k.jpg&hash=2087b9191f27542ee4576350053c9e37d936c485)

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I haven't really played around with Mapquest yet, but I do like the new Google Maps on iPhones despite it lacking distinct state sheilds.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrmMMG.png&hash=febc610dc09ced90098069e37af4d47dc8fc0f70)

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Quote from: empirestate on January 03, 2013, 12:24:54 AM
Y'all need to check out the MapQuest mobile app now...

Nice, but like the new Google Maps app, there doesn't seem to be an iPad version..  So..sticking with iOS 5 a little longer.

Quote from: Jim on January 03, 2013, 11:40:41 AM

Quote from: empirestate on January 03, 2013, 12:24:54 AM
Y'all need to check out the MapQuest mobile app now...

Nice, but like the new Google Maps app, there doesn't seem to be an iPad version..  So..sticking with iOS 5 a little longer.

They pushed the phone app out because of the particular need of the app (on the road - small device). They may have an iPad exclusive interface later.

Quote from: Jim on January 03, 2013, 11:40:41 AM

Quote from: empirestate on January 03, 2013, 12:24:54 AM
Y'all need to check out the MapQuest mobile app now...

Nice, but like the new Google Maps app, there doesn't seem to be an iPad version..  So..sticking with iOS 5 a little longer.

Quote from: SSOWorld on January 03, 2013, 01:25:16 PM

Quote from: Jim on January 03, 2013, 11:40:41 AM

Quote from: empirestate on January 03, 2013, 12:24:54 AM
Y'all need to check out the MapQuest mobile app now...

Nice, but like the new Google Maps app, there doesn't seem to be an iPad version..  So..sticking with iOS 5 a little longer.

They pushed the phone app out because of the particular need of the app (on the road - small device). They may have an iPad exclusive interface later.

Meantime, the MapQuest version has now appeared online. Is this the first web-based map service to show properly-shaped shields?

For most states.

Quote from: SSOWorld on January 11, 2013, 06:51:25 PM
For most states.

Yes, so I noticed after posting...wonder why those few didn't appear (NY, NJ, NH, MA, etc.)? They show up all right in the mobile version. Must be some kind of rendering lag that for some reason occurs by state.

MapQuest Open has them.  Ironically they don't have Canada, while Google has Canada but not the US.

Quote from: deanej on January 12, 2013, 11:23:21 AM
MapQuest Open has them.  Ironically they don't have Canada, while Google has Canada but not the US.

Weirder still, as the mobile version does show shields in Canada!

The desktop MapQuest webpage has the shields in them now. They also show bannered routes, putting BUS or ALT or on top of the shield where appropriate. They also use green Interstate shields for business loops or spurs. I also like how multiplexes are shown on there, too. They do use a generic square for Texas state routes, but use circles for the FM and RM roads. Missouri secondary routes are shown as primary routes with the Missouri outline. Tennessee secondary routes are also shown as primary routes.  I am quite impressed with the attention to the shields, at least.

I would love to see some county (or parish) pentagons.

I believe it's time a meme is updated: (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbrianthesearles.files.wordpress.com%2F2012%2F06%2Fmapquest-cat.jpg&hash=b66fc61b8269bcf6f2fc6e1bfd12957b9269a384)

probably should read Google Maps instead of MapQuest now...

So far, the MQ desktop version still has Interstate, US, and primary state shields only, for all states except MA, MI, NH, NJ, and NY. In Canada, there seem to be more options:

National: TCH, Crowsnest and Yellowhead highways
BC primary
AB primary (pentagon) and secondary (oval)
SK primary/secondary (shield) and tertiary (rectangle)
MB primary (shield) and secondary (black oval)
ON primary (shield) and secondary/tertiary (pentagon, erroneous for tertiary), also QEW (yellow shield)
QC autoroute and provincial
NB primary and secondary
NS arterial and trunk
PE primary
NL provincial
YT territorial (square)
NT territorial

That's just counting what's covered by new-style symbols. Some categories (like ON regional and NB tertiary) are still covered by old-style bubbles and rectangles.

Quote from: doorknob60 on September 29, 2012, 03:46:49 PM
Relevant. Ever look closely at the Apple maps icon?
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EDIT: Oh someone already pointed it out earlier, but I found this really funny when I realized it today  :-P

Thread exhumed to note that in the new iOS 7, Apple changed the icon altogether. See below. I downloaded iOS 7 to my iPhone a few days back but only got around to doing the iPad yesterday, so I haven't played with the maps at all. But a brief experiment while waiting for Mobile Photobucket shows they haven't fixed it–a search for "Williamsburg, VA" turns up not the city of that name but instead the neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, where Nicklas Backstrom lives. D'oh.

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Quote from: 1995hoo on September 28, 2013, 11:44:52 AM

Quote from: doorknob60 on September 29, 2012, 03:46:49 PM
Relevant. Ever look closely at the Apple maps icon?
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs3-ec.buzzfed.com%2Fstatic%2Fenhanced%2Fweb05%2F2012%2F6%2F12%2F13%2Fenhanced-buzz-29031-1339521580-1.jpg&hash=c66917781bc4d110254a605b5fc572954fb3982c)

EDIT: Oh someone already pointed it out earlier, but I found this really funny when I realized it today  :-P

Thread exhumed to note that in the new iOS 7, Apple changed the icon altogether. See below. I downloaded iOS 7 to my iPhone a few days back but only got around to doing the iPad yesterday, so I haven't played with the maps at all. But a brief experiment while waiting for Mobile Photobucket shows they haven't fixed it–a search for "Williamsburg, VA" turns up not the city of that name but instead the neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, where Nicklas Backstrom lives. D'oh.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi31.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fc378%2F1995hoo%2F6ed3723065fec3657e39d180d435e6f3_zps5ae70808.jpg&hash=bc434b951e29984ed7a33c885aaaa0841a47a1df)

If I'm not mistaken, they've moved the icon to the location of their proposed new campus:

http://cdn1.appleinsider.com/cupertino.001.jpg