Comments on: Apple Now Own Google Maps Competitor Placebase

By: Rene Ritchie

Rene Ritchie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:06:30 +0000

@icebike: Apple still paints prettier pixels than Google, but that's not a compelling differentiator compared to the services offered. People might like Apple's Maps app better than how it looks on WinMo, for example, but they may need the services offered by it, even if that means Android is in their future. Same problem I'm referencing above...

By: Rene Ritchie

Rene Ritchie — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:04:44 +0000

@Dev: Google Voice is not integrated into the iPhone, it's its own app with it's own UI, and it's easy to hit GV rather than Phone, and if people prefer it, in essence GV becomes the phone (at least for outgoing purposes).

Google obviously understands this, Apple obviously fears this. It's brilliant on Google's part, as they increasingly go from pipe to front-end, and while you can switch out pipes without anyone noticing, switching out front-ends is much more difficult.

If iPhone use becomes more about Google services than Apple software/hardware, Apple has a HUGE problem on their hands. Both companies know that as well...

By: icebike

icebike — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:24:38 +0000

@Rudy:

You hit the nail right on the head.

Anyone who thinks Apple did anything significant when writing the iPhone Map App is nuts. All they did is provide data entry fields, call a few Google APIs and display the images returned.

Moving to their own map source will emasculate an already fairly limp wristed application.

When Google added traffic, Maps got it instantly. When you tap a pin, its google results.

Any effort Apple puts in to step away from Google is contrary to their Customer's best interests and wishes.

By: Mark Sigal

Mark Sigal — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:34:14 +0000

While I am a strong believer in the inevitability of Apple/Google evolving into Frienemies in the months ahead (see: The Chess Masters: Apple versus Google – http://bit.ly/IHPmW), I think this is more a case of Apple adding geo-locative DNA to their bench and continuing their innovation around the Maps app, since as you note, while powered by Google Maps under the hood, Maps is nonetheless developed by Apple in terms of look, feel and supported workflows.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:09:09 +0000

Good Fudge google

By: Dev

Dev — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:08:59 +0000

“Give over the UI” through voice or latitude? I must have missed the news where either google App takes over any system or native UI – they are separate, self-contained Apps that a user must explicitly choose to launch, and which, when launched, do so into their own Sandbox, just like every other App in the store. Apple’s excuses ring hollow here, as does tipb’s uncritical repetition of them.

By: Al

Al — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:07:22 +0000

Wow, Apple really is tying up many aspects of the computing world. In some ways, I think they are starting to get too big. I love their computers and the iPhone of course but think of how much they control! They are the world leader in PMP sales and music retail. They are rapidly gaining share in the personal computer space. They are rapidly owning the smartphone space. If the tablet rumors are to be believed, they will probably crush the Kindle with all of its flaws. Now they are trying to gobble up some of the web services that Google has dominated. It’s starting to get crazy.

By: Dev

Dev — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:55:10 +0000

Ugh…I hope they stick with google maps as their backend. Their map data is consistently most up-to-date (bing/ms is rapidly getting better, but irrelevant to iPhone), google’s traffic data is far better, and google’s location searches are orders of magnitude better than any other option. Removing google’s massive data harvesting capabilities from the maps app would be cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face.

By: Rudy

Rudy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:41:00 +0000

At ezmack don’t be a fool, google is the back bone of that app. Say good buy to free, say good bye to street view, and say good bye to google transit. Remember google is king of Internet search and resources. Apple is king of hardware so tell who they will use as a free source? Yahoo, mapquest, bing? Exactly dam idiot

By: Jo2reco

Jo2reco — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:17:23 +0000

Wow now I understand why google maps was diffrent on my 3gs when I switched from the TILT

By: sting7k

sting7k — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:01:27 +0000

I can't even find these maps to check them out, nor have I ever heard of them; how great can they be?

Personally, I prefer to use MS (now Bing) maps. Especially lately since 7 months after my new home became an official address it still does not show up on Google Maps, took 2 weeks to show up with MS.

By: igorsky

igorsky — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:33:19 +0000

I would hate to lose Street View.

By: Spanishcop

Spanishcop — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:19:11 +0000

I lost count….how many times did he say UMMMMMM ?

By: fastlane

fastlane — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:56:05 +0000

Fine with me… I’ve never used Google anything, other than iPhone’s Maps. G’bye Google Maps.

By: ezmac

ezmac — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:50:47 +0000

This will definitely be a good thing for Apple. Why rely on Google? I’ve used PolicyMap, and it’s so much more versatile than what I can get with Google Maps. Hope we can see it’s API out soon.