Google Maps vs the Rest

Andrew writes "Shortflip.com has an interesting article on the history, present, and future of 3D satellite imaging applications. Obviously they focus on Google Maps, but they make a good case for Google's competitors, although it's hard to imagine anyone being able to challenge Google's market share in the near future. Emphasis is on user features, map accuracy, and future technology."

Comments

Google maps is the best...

[Anonymous Coward]

True 'dat. DOUBLE TRUE.

Re:Google maps is the best...

[dsginter]

The funny thing is that google video made this a cult classic and NBC made them take it down. I don't understand how they can shoot themselves in the foot like this.

I like the "rest"

[Antony-Kyre]

I've tried Google Maps looking at where I live. I prefer http://www.zillow.com/ which is tens of times better in resolution.

(This isn't an aim at advertising. It's just my opinion because I tried the rest.)

Re:I like the "rest"

[filesiteguy]

Zillow is very interesting. I believe it uses much of the same technology. Since I work at a County agency, we actually supply Google with some of their images and image data. The odd thing is - we then purchase Google Earth to utilize that data. (Actually there's some deal I believe.)

I like the application of Zillow for how it interacts with the home value, surrounding values and the mapping data. Now we just need to see if the braniacs at Google pick up the idea. :)

Re:I like the "rest"

[takeya]

MS Live ( http://maps.live.com/ forwards to the right address) provides higher-than-google res in most of the US, especially rurual areas and the odd city that didn't get coverage.

It also uses more outdated photos.

Re:I like the "rest"

[CastrTroy]

I find that Mapquest gives much better maps than Google. When zoomed out mapquest gives many more street names, so that you can actually find what you're looking for, or looking for a better point of reference. Check out the links to see what i'm talking about. Mapquest is zoomed out a bit more, but it still shows quite a few street names, google on the other hand shows very few street names until you zoom in a bit more. Google doesn't put the street names unless it can fit it within the width of the street.

Google Maps
Mapquest

Lazy Sunday

[ThousandStars]

Parnell: I pick up Yahoo maps to find the dopest route

Samberg: I prefer Map quest

Parnell: That's a good one too

Samberg: Google maps is the best

Parnell: True dat

Together: DOUBLE TRUE!

Waypoints, anyone?

[Tackhead]

IMO, the only thing missing from Google Maps is the concept of waypoints when making directions.

By default, you probably want the fastest (hourly) route from A to B.

Sometimes, you want to take the scenic route.

If there's a city on the scenic route, it's often too small to appear in Google's database of place names, and/or you'll have to Google for the ZIP code for East Bumfuck, Mississippi.

Furthermore, the more miles you want to log on the scenic route, the more likely it is that even if you are able to find city/ZIP combinations that correspond to places on the scenic route, the direction-guessing software will still suggest that to drive the 60 miles of scenic winding road between "East Bumfuck, MS" to "West Bumfuck, MS", for example, is to backtrack 5 miles, get on the Interstate, drive 50 miles at 60 mph, until you're 5 miles past your destination, where you backtrack to your destination. (Because 70 miles, 60 of which are at highway speeds, takes less time than 60 miles, all of which are at 25-30 mph.)

So - waypoints. A UI feature in "Directions" to say "add waypoint", such that directions from A to B are be calculated such that you pass through each (arbitrarily) selected waypoint in between.

Where Y'At, Google?

[Doc Ruby]

I wish the Google Maps website query language were as simple and expressive as the wellknown Web search. Instead, I have to use exactly "W 125th St & Broadway", instead of searching for any of "125St at Broadway" or "W125 and Broadway" etc, even though those styles all refer to the same intersection. How about clicking on any point, and getting its "coordinates" in a popup? Clicking a few points to define an itinerary?

I'd like to see their GUI highlight an entire street for its entire length, just by naming it. And exit numbers on highways. And mass transit route layers, or at least just stops identified.

I know it's free, and it's "Beta". I know their standalone Earth app has lots more features. But they pulled it off with text Web searches. I'd like to love their maps as much as their links.

Google for the images... Anything else for a map..

[PeteQC]

Well, for a non-US resident (Canada in my cae), I would say that if I want to know the directions from point A to point B (in Montreal for example), I'd rather use either Yahoo! Maps or Mapquest. The results are better.

Luckily, I know Montreal Streets a little, so I can judge the value of the directions given. And Google never makes the mark for me (almost never the most efficient road.)

However, if I want to see interesting pictures, Google Map/Earth is the best thing I know.