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Google Maps's Moat: How Far Ahead of Apple Maps is Google Maps? (justinobeirne.com)

Posted by msmash on from the apple-to-oranges dept.

An anonymous reader shares a report: Over the past year, we've been comparing Google Maps and Apple Maps in New York, San Francisco, and London -- but some of the biggest differences are outside of large cities. That's a comprehensive comparison. Google Maps, unlike Apple Maps, doesn't stop at outlining the routes. It offers contextual details such as depiction of buildings and other structures and vegetation. It has captured everything -- from dish antennae on top of buildings to golf courses. Furthermore, Google Maps also shows name of the neighbourhood, and has more distinguishable icons and colors. You can glance at a portion of the map on Google Maps and get a good picture of what's in that place. Apple Maps, on the other hand, looks empty. Like an unfurnished house.

3 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Re: Depends on how many features Google takes away by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    We may collect information such as occupation, language, zip code, area code, unique device identifier, referrer URL, location, and the time zone where an Apple product is used so that we can better understand customer behavior and improve our products, services, and advertising.
    We may collect information regarding customer activities on our website, iCloud services, our iTunes Store, App Store, Mac App Store, App Store for Apple TV and iBooks Stores and from our other products and services. This information is aggregated and used to help us provide more useful information to our customers and to understand which parts of our website, products, and services are of most interest. Aggregated data is considered nonpersonal information for the purposes of this Privacy Policy.

  2. Re:Apple doesn't care about it's maps anyway by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    How quickly history becomes vague.

    'Maps' as bundled with iOS has always been an Apple-written app. Between iPhone OS 1.0 and iOS 5 it used Google Maps data. When iOS 6 was released, a rewritten Maps app was bundled using map data from Apple and other non-Google third-parties.

    Google first released their own Google Maps app for iOS several months after iOS 6 was released. This is why there was a short time where you couldn't use a mapping app on iOS powered by Google's map data.

    It was never about Apple or Google pulling an app from the App Store.

  3. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by Dr.+Evil · · Score: 4, Informative

    You should really include a link and indicate that there’s more in the paragraph. https://www.apple.com/ca/legal/privacy/en-ww/

    Disclosure to Third Parties
    At times Apple may make certain personal information available to strategic partners that work with Apple to provide products and services, or that help Apple market to customers. For example, when you purchase and activate your iPhone, you authorize Apple and your carrier to exchange the information you provide during the activation process to carry out service. If you are approved for service, your account will be governed by Apple and your carrier’s respective privacy policies. Personal information will only be shared by Apple to provide or improve our products, services and advertising; it will not be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes.