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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.

8 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Depends on how many features Google takes away by aaarrrgggh · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Google maps was great... then they decide to take away features randomly that are extremely useful.

    At least Apple Maps is consistent.

    1. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by Eloking · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ...and to whom they are selling the data. At least I know Apple isn't monetizing the information about where I drive.

      Hahaha that's a good one!

      From Apple's website :

      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.

      --
      Elok
    2. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by sh00z · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Exactly my point. when Apple uses my data, it's to improve my user experience with Apple hardware and software. When Google uses my data, I have no idea where it goes. Most likely to improve "targeted" advertising, but they will literally sell that information to anyone willing to pay.

    3. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Are your for real? Making Google Maps way better than Apple's offering is one good example of a place where your data is used.

      Sheeeze, Apple fanboys...

    4. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by gnick · · Score: 5, Insightful

      when Apple uses my data, it's to improve my user experience with Apple hardware and software.

      Apple may make certain personal information available to strategic partners

      Apple's "strategic partners" are not Apple.

      --
      He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
    5. Re:Depends on how many features Google takes away by Dog-Cow · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Google uses your data to show ads to you. How does that improve anyone's life?

  2. Re:Apple Maps directions will lead you into a moat by tk77 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I guess it depends on where you use it. I had a party at a relatives house and Google Maps kept refusing to use their address correctly. Every time I entered it, it would change it to something else and put it on the same road, but opposite side of a park. Apple Maps accepted the address and correctly located it.

  3. NOT selling data is fundamental to Google by raymorris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    > but they will literally sell that information to anyone willing to pay.

    Quite the opposite. Older companies that acquired data used to sell it, and some still do. One thing. That has made Google so successful is that they are careful to keep the data to themselves. It's their golden goose. They sell ADS that are targeted using the data. That way they can keep selling ads to the same companies for years, rather than selling data once. They never sell the data because then it could be passed around and that would reduce their competitive advantage.