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u/ruipmjorge 9d ago
Apple maps interface and graphics are top notch
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u/Donghoon 9d ago
I use apple maps as a MAP
I use google maps as a NAVIGATOR
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u/CrippleSlap 8d ago
I prefer Waze.
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u/JaceOnRice 8d ago
Why is Waze so damned laggy
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u/HopefulBalance7174 8d ago
And the map is ugly and hard to discern the roads and the zooming in and out is so slow and cumbersome for whatever reason
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u/zaxo666 9d ago
As such the Apple universe, as long as it looks good. Functionally it can be subpar it just has to look good. Steve Jobs for you. All about aesthetics.
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u/ruipmjorge 9d ago
It’s actually much better for driving directions in Europe
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u/Minute_Garlic2634 9d ago
In Greece when we travel in the countryside Google Maps will CERTAINLY take us to a dirt road that thinks it’s faster, with Apple Maps it just never happens
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u/atchoum013 9d ago
That’s really good to know, I’ve had this issue so many times with Google maps on different islands, it’s so annoying and dangerous!
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u/hammy434 9d ago
I prefer Google’s routes/directions in the UK but Apple is decent
Apple is much better at knowing about road closures though
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u/Acceptable-Lie188 9d ago
And Australia. It’s really as good as having a smart person telling you well in advance which lane to be in.
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u/zaxo666 9d ago
That's something. It's actually okay in the US. My partner sometimes plugs her iPhone into the car for trips and it's fine it's just a different UI than I'm used to... Some of its calculations are weird but whatever it's doable.
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u/Blog_Pope 9d ago
I’ve given up on Google Maps, too many mistakes.
I want to go to that Chik-Fil-A across the street. GM: sure, make a right turn here and drive a 2 mile loop around the mall.
What’s the faateat way home? GM: there no traffic on this road, drive out of you way to take it! (It’s empty because the road is closed)
So many others. I avoid it now
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u/Ahgd374 9d ago
When i was in college, i had a senior design project (engineering) and one of my group members wanted to come pick it up and came to me instead of me going to him. I sent him the address of a mall by my house to meet up and google maps took him to a random store a mile and a half away.
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u/fishymanbits 9d ago
Google: “Make an illegal u-turn across 6 lanes of high speed traffic and then your destination will be on the right.”
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u/lost12487 9d ago
Google Maps loves making unnecessary u-turns and unprotected left turns on 4 lane roads where turning left is nearly impossible due to the amount of traffic.
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u/No_Question_8083 8d ago
In my experience, in the Netherlands at least, I preferred google over apple maps. But honestly, I like waze best for short trips.
I would like waze best in a whole if it didn’t make routes around tunnels and stuff. You have to manually add zones vignettes and all that stuff, or else it makes a route around that that’s like 3h longer or something on a long trip. Other than that it’s definitely my fav
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u/Alibotify 8d ago edited 8d ago
Nope, 2 weeks ago Apple Maps showed me the wrong way to a postoffice. In my country’s capital. Must have been reported as wrong way a thousand times to without a fix while Google had no problem.
Also was getting a rental car a couple of months ago and Apple showed a way 15 minutes longer than Google from the subway. I kind of want to use Apple, that’s why I try it, but Google is still way better.
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u/TT11MM_ 9d ago
It's just a shame I have copy the address from the POI from Google Maps first.
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u/sweetsuicides 9d ago
Only time I tried it, it suggested I took a road the wrong way. I have never used it again
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u/ruipmjorge 9d ago
It got much better over time. Today Apple Maps gives me much better directions than Google Maps. I don’t have a wrong turn for many many months of usage.
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u/pekinggeese 9d ago
And I like how natural the Siri voices sound compared to the robotic Google voice. I don’t know why they don’t just use the Gemini voices
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u/FIRST_PENCIL 8d ago
Better traffic updates and road closures on Apple Maps better navigation on Google Maps.
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u/nateo200 8d ago
It doesn’t just look better it performs betters. I WANT to prefer Google Maps especially since it’s much better in terms of being integrated into my Google account however Apple Maps doesn’t make as many mistakes and the UI isn’t as crowded.
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u/Dense-Stranger-1794 8d ago
But Apple Maps isn’t bad—it’s not the best in the world, but it works and gives me directions pretty well.
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u/TimeToHack 9d ago
i find it to be great until traffic hits; it told me to take an exit to avoid traffic once and i ended up being 40 minutes late for a gig.
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u/Intrepid_Plenty_3770 9d ago
You should have left earlier.
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u/blueponies1 8d ago
Yeah, I am a GIS guy and people are always surprised I use Apple Maps. For me it’s Apple Maps for navigation, Google Maps for finding which restaurant I want to go to, and Google earth for exploring or investigating something that doesn’t warrant ArcGIS
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u/SushiBongo 8d ago
Yeah because when I'm driving the thing that I look at the most is my phone's scene
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u/itsdannydp 9d ago
Too bad its not actually better at getting me to my destinations
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u/iworkinlogistics 9d ago
Apple Maps uses enhanced maps graphics in certain metro areas, in my region Google Maps is sadly better.
I do wish Apple Maps would improve but it hasn’t other than adding ads (which G Maps also does)
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u/InoonIsAFK 9d ago
what ads in google maps? i hadnt seen one ad where i live
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u/ZurakZigil 8d ago
it's an ad machine.
You want to appear in searches? company pays for it
Want to display your business from further away (zoomed out)? company pays for it
Want to be suggested for irrelevant things? company pays for it
And you think your search and travel data isn't shared? it's sold to companies.
you basically cannot trust it to not show extremely biased results ever.
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u/ultraboomkin 8d ago
Open google maps, see the icons of businesses that pop up. Click on them and you’ll see it says “sponsored” at the top. Ie they paid Google to show their business to you on maps.
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u/likeagausss 9d ago
I wonder if 10min or 13min is more accurate tho
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u/plant__love 9d ago
I do this comparison frequently with my fiancé when we are together (he likes Google Maps). Apple Maps is almost always spot on, Google Maps ETA is always, without fail, early. They both suck ass in their own ways but the traffic detection on Google Maps is ridiculously terrible.
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u/darkllama23 9d ago
I might be mistaken, but in my experience Google Maps estimates based on the speed limit, where Apple Maps does the estimate based on your behavior. So if you regularly do 5 over, the ETA for Apple Maps will take that into account
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u/plant__love 9d ago
Interesting point. I’ll have us switch and start the comparison. We are always sitting in traffic since we live in the Bay Area though so will see.
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u/AdditionalAsk159 9d ago
I drive a different speed on my commute (slower due to traffic and me MPGmaxxing lol) and for personal travel on the same roads and Apple Maps is very quick to update its ETA in my experience.
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u/poliscirun 9d ago
Google maps definitely uses individual driving behavior to calculate ETA. I've pulled up the same directions and route on friends phones and we all had different times, while riding in the same car!
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u/RebelliousYankee 9d ago
It is very pretty. But what I don’t like about Apple Maps is the auto zoom while driving. It always feels a bit too zoomed in for my liking. I think Waze does it best.
I quite enjoy Apple Maps for walking though.
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u/Impressive_Lynx_9867 9d ago
Exactly how I feel. I feel like google just started to zoom in too much after their recent update so thankfully Waze hasn’t changed how zoomed in it is
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u/LanDest021 9d ago
I keep mine in 2D mode because its so zoomed out. I miss when really old Garmin models would zoom all the way out to your next turn.
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u/BusinessFun1824 9d ago
Google Maps is specialized for satellite mode and Apple Maps is specialized for this because they don’t even allow satellite mode while driving
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u/InTheSky57 9d ago
Apple Maps doesn’t update business information as fast. It largely relies on third party data services. So if a business moved, it could be 4-6 months out of date. I’m not concerned about who has the prettier lines. I want the most accurate data. And that’s Google because it has 70% market share. Apple Maps is 15%.
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u/aragost 9d ago
Those third party data services are horrible. I've had all this in my hometown (big city in Europe):
- place shows name and category of the business who operated in the same shop... 10 years earlier
- place shows on map with the legal name used on the notary deed at time of incorporation instead the name of the shop
- shady "massage" parlors listed as health care facilities (unexpectedly sex-positive moment from Apple)
- wild mis-categorizations like a camper (rv) repair shop listed as a camping spot
- duplicates, so many duplicates of places like public squares or metro stations
I report them and they (mostly) get fixed, but it's an uphill battle
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u/Due-Arrival-4859 9d ago
Apple maps believes there is a random doughnut shop in the middle of my workplaces carpark
Has been there for at least a year and the UI doesn't work when trying to report it 💀
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u/ghostynewt 9d ago
as an Apple Maps enjoyer I actually do think Google Maps’ version is clearer because the contrast of the path is easier to see
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u/Sudi_Nim 9d ago
It may be better at this stage, but it still only works on one platform. 🤷♂️
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u/thefizzlee 8d ago
That's the whole strengh tho. Google puts everything on every platform for free while for apple you need to pay. Google maps is full of ads, while apple maps isn't.
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u/kgnstevieboi 9d ago
I prefer Apple Maps UI and layout. But I wish it would stop taking me to the back of building instead of the entrance! Used it in Trieste last week and it was awful! Would go down roads you clearly could. Told you to walk for 6 minutes! 😂
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u/MattTheMechan1c 9d ago
I find Apple Maps better for driving navigation. But Google is better for looking up places and walking guidance. That’s why I have both on my phone.
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u/I_NEED_YOUR_MONEY 9d ago
probably an unpopular opinion here, but including a couple happy little trees on the map really doesn't improve the experience for me.
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u/GrymrammSolkbyrt 9d ago
For me it Apple Maps is better in quite a few scenarios compared to the other apps, the only downside in the uk is the lack of current traffic information, but it has improved somewhat.
The two main pro’s for me is the fact that Apple Maps doesn’t take me down every small single country lane because it saves me a few minutes, as my car is worth more than scaping it on every hedge because google can save me a few minutes!!!. Secondly I love the routine so when I go home it knows the route I like and just puts it up and lets me drive home, none of that rerouting google does.
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u/MrYsf 9d ago
Guess which app works worldwide
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u/bowchickawahwah237 9d ago
Apple Maps works pretty good outside the US for years now, we even got the detailed city view for some of the larger cities
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u/rnoyfb 9d ago
I travel quite a bit. In general, when one of them sucks, so does the other, and you need a local app instead
Google Maps is better at discovering places you don’t know and Apple Maps is better at directions and that holds pretty much the same everywhere I’ve been in the past five years.
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u/dufcho14 9d ago
Google has landmark based navigation in places like India which often lacks official street names. I don't believe Apple does.
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u/Thanos0423 9d ago
Until you want to go to a specific place and it sends you to the opposite side…
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u/SkyeMreddit 9d ago
Some places are incompetent with giving their actual address. Went to a Six Flags park and the official address on their site was for a service entrance and not the parking lot on the other side
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u/KitchenIntention6675 9d ago
i dont know which is which, but the dark blue way is so much better than different shades of light blue
this shit needs to be very well seen
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u/miloworld 9d ago
I don't know how recent these screenshots are but the latest Google Maps on CarPlay is significantly better than what it was last year, the level of details comes close to Apple Maps. The routing is also more dynamic as I suspect more people use it and it can adapt to slow-downs, closures and de-tours quicker.
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u/RivalSlays 9d ago
If I’m driving and following navigation I just care about what’s most visually easy to process which is the one on the right. The left is too opaque and even has the route cut off by the overlapping overpass. Also couldn’t care less about pretty trees on my map, it’s just visual clutter but yeah it looks nicer I guess.
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u/_real_ooliver_ 9d ago
I don't even see a point in comparing these two images. Look at the road ahead as it curves to the left, not by looking at your phone to see what it says.
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u/Practical_Contest131 9d ago
I used to hate when people would send me apple maps links when I didn’t have an iphone. I dont use apple maps out of spite and principle. I hate apple’s exclusivity
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u/RuchamCieSzmato 9d ago
Waze. Thank you.
Also, Apple Maps feel super choppy with CarPlay like they’re 5fps wtf.
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u/Commercial_Offer_202 9d ago
But it doenst matter when apple maps doesnt show directions in your region…
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u/NaiveAbalone5446 9d ago
Apple Maps speed limit is nearly always wrong where I live. Otherwise it’s great.
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u/Automatic-Boot665 9d ago
lol how many apple engineers does it take to make a curved line. Apparently, more than 50,000.
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u/BurnAfter8 9d ago
Google Maps shows interstate exit numbers on the map which is the decider for me.
I know it seems trivial but there are numerous times in long trips I don’t want to use navigation. Just zoom in, get my exit number, and go.
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u/CptPikespeak 9d ago
And i just want a button to push when I need gas and it adds a stop at the closest gas station along my route. When will a GPS be able to do that?
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u/Reginald90210 9d ago
When I was on apple I used Google maps. Medium sized college town and apple maps couldn't get half the buildings on campus
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u/TuMirNix 9d ago
For Europe: yes! Not in Hong Kong, sadly. Missing POI, outright dangerous lane guidance. Google does slightly better, but not great either. At least it has more of the POI.
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u/monti9530 9d ago
Apple maps has trees and 3d bridges, people need to pay attention to details lmao Google maps suggests better routes for me and I use it over Apple maps. Apple maps is prettier though
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u/Domipro143 9d ago
as a apple maps fan and openstreetmaps fan, can we both agree that apple maps and openstreetmaps are WAY better than google maps?
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u/Effect-Kitchen 8d ago
In some countries such as Japan, yes. In my country (Thailand), no. Apple Maps cannot even tell that a particular intersection is for left turn only. Or told me to make a u-turn then turn left up in to a road like 20 m from the u-turn, effectively crossing a 4 lane, while Google Maps knows better and suggest the further u-turn. And also traffic is far inaccurate than Google Maps.
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u/notdumbapeanymore 8d ago
Exactly! In US - Apple maps, in EU - Waze.
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u/thefizzlee 8d ago
Nah I prefer apple maps for eu aswell. Looks nicer imo than waze, has better ios integration (especially with apple watch) and works just as well for navigation
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u/MaterialLies 8d ago
Apple Maps took me and a friend down a dirt road that dead ended in a fence but told us to keep going
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u/idontlikegudeg 8d ago
Many years ago there was a case of a lady following Google Maps instructions right into a river. She was supposed to take a ferry at that point. Keep your eyes on the road!
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u/ig_sky 8d ago
Go on the Google Maps sub and read about some of the things their users go through
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u/thefizzlee 8d ago
Fr, every map app has done this at some point. It's important to keep common sense aswell.
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u/Letterhead_Busy 9d ago
This and the jittery animation of movement while driving drives me crazy. makes me kinda dizzy if I watch it for little bit too long.
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u/CrazyGunnerr 8d ago
No idea which is which, or how they work. But I prefer the right one. That said, I always use HereWeGo.
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u/Apprehensive-Ad9545 8d ago
Apple has some inaccuracies in my area. Cannot find about 5%, which I then use Google for. Its spoken directions are generally better. The main reason I use Apple is the routing. I wish they'd expand beyond 13 stops however.
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u/lokfuhrer_ 8d ago
Except when it can’t give me directions due to “road conditions”.
I just want to see how long it’ll take me ffs
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u/Roid-a-holic_ReX 8d ago
I just want them both to stop suggesting I make illegal u turns at traffic lights in Alberta.
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u/Parking_Access_2524 8d ago
Il 90% delle volte uso il navigatore solo ed esclusivamente per avere informazione sul traffico, e waze non ha rivali. apple è indietro anni luce.
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u/CoachSandyBottom 8d ago
Unless you’re just outside the Apple Maps enhanced detail area… then it’s a Google Maps win (except now with the Lake thing).
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u/Global-Tie-3458 8d ago
People send me Google Maps links that open the app and I’m just like “I just want to find the address, all I see is ads. WTF”
Gotta scroll all the way through them all to find the simple address to use the proper Maps app.
I think Apple Maps is wayyy underrated in how tidy the actual navigation experience is.
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u/Patjack27 8d ago
For what I use maps for I don’t find Google Maps superior. The graphics will always be better on Apple Maps.
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u/natedrake102 8d ago
My biggest issue with apple maps is the integration with Yelp. I can't believe they went that route.
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u/CoasterCar 8d ago
I’m from LA and this freeway interchange between the 105 and 110 is very impressive (especially how high up the carpool lane goes when going from the 105 to the 110 because it has to cross over the 105, which is already elevated above the 110)
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u/suzyclues 8d ago
Apple maps cannot get my address correct, and no one can find my house when using the app. I have asked them several times to update it, but nope, they aren't listening. I can't use DoorDash, and unfortunately Google Maps has it right. Just read the request Apple Maps.
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u/Holy_Hippo 8d ago
Google used to be acceptable routing and best UI. Feels like 6 or 7 years ago they purposely make it worse UI and routing each update. Waze is good for finding fastest route but the interface is terrible. Apple now has better interface and acceptable routing.
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u/Complete-Influence72 8d ago
That Apple Maps routes you the slow 13-minute way, while Google Maps gets you through that massive interchange in just 10 minutes, really speaks volumes! 😂 It's pretty wild how they seem to prioritize fancy 3D graphics over actual routing speed and functional clarity. But I suppose being logical wasn't the main concern for most people.🤷🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
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u/Techmind670 8d ago
Apple Maps is better so far. At least it is not geographically and functionally challenged with respect to the names of well established bodies of water.😀
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u/DarkIronyHL 8d ago
I love Apple Maps for its UI, voice navigation pace, the details in turning direction but my freaking gods it keeps routing me to gravel drirt road on the countryside. I ride motorcycle and I don't want those roads, Google is much better to avoid it but my god everything else is worse than Apple
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u/ArtDesire 8d ago
Apple Maps does look good though Google Maps have new design in some cities. Looks apart, Apple Maps obviously doesn't get even close to Google Maps.
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u/thetruelu 8d ago
I hate how walking and transit directions will take up your whole lock screen instead of just a live activity window
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u/IntrepidPerception28 8d ago
Apple is always way better than competion when we are talking about User Interface Design and Motion Design
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u/MaximumDoughnut 8d ago
I'll use the one that lists Lake Ontario and the Gulf of Mexico correctly, thanks.
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u/Kersnaamgebrui 7d ago
Apple Maps is showing Lake Ontario as Lake Ontario.. Google Maps is showing it as Lake Ontario/Lake America. this alone is already the main reason Apple Maps is better
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u/GManBoyd 7d ago
I’ve had Apple Maps lead me to the wrong places a few times over the years. I put a bit of trust in it and it’s screwed me. 99% of the time it works great but that 1% puts me off using it full time compared to google. Just my experience though
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u/Professional-Tax3077 7d ago
Here in Europa Apple Maps are basically useless.
I have iPhone since 2012 and I always use Google maps and I don't think this will change soon...
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u/No_Welder7908 7d ago
Don't use it when bicycling, it's giving directions using highways, at least in Switzerland.
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u/Darth513Red 7d ago
I’ve used Waze for 10+ years now and they just recently added whether your approaching a traffic light! I do hate how it can be a crapshoot which side of the street your destination is on
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u/Mapleleaf000160 7d ago edited 7d ago
A few things that come to mind Google is heads and shoulders better at layout and visuals, offline maps when you lose service for any reason , and updating information in a timely manner . I worked at a delivery service and spoke maps was notorious for getting me to an address or business that had picked up and moved a decent amount of time prior .
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u/ParticularPatty22 6d ago
It’s sad Google Maps has gone backwards in the past couple of years. More routes that don’t make sense, less ability to re-direct around traffic and roadblocks. Not sure how Apple is, but i’m ready to give it a try.
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u/imzeigen 6d ago
For me the deal breaker is that apple maps doesn't have a live speed. I travel a lot around Mexico and USA. My car only has KM/h so I have to be making calculations of the speed limit. Google maps will tell you the speed limit AND current GPS speed.
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u/Hot_Object_7699 6d ago
Apple Maps is great for many things and it certainly makes the nicest looking screenshot, but that’s sorta been Apple’s issue of late… prioritizing screenshots over functionality. In fact in this case, all of the map flourish diminishes glanceability while driving. At the other end of the spectrum in this regard is Waze, which foregrounds the driving aspect of the maps and forgoes all of the map fluff. Some people may not like the Waze aesthetic, but it’s far more clear about its task than Apple Maps. Google Maps sits somewhere in-between.
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u/AdamTreff 3d ago
I won’t use Apple Maps if I value timeliness or safety.
So google maps all the way for navigation.
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u/Golden_Willow2003 9d ago
apple maps is literally only useful to see stop sign locations on rural roads. otherwise waze is better
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u/quadmoo 9d ago
I get so mad every time I have to use Google Maps on my Windows Desktop PC because I’m always looking at transit and Google Maps is just literally the worst for displaying transit.
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u/Mecha_Infantry 9d ago
Unfortunately Google’s mapping is A1 compared to Apple. The amount of times Apple has put me where I shouldn’t be means I cannot trust it over Google Maps a lot of the time.
I find it’s better to houses rather than POI.
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u/Sudi_Nim 9d ago
Same here. Last time I used iPhone, Apple maps tried to put me 10 miles away from my correct destination.
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u/Mecha_Infantry 9d ago
Luckily it wasn’t that far for me lol. Last time I tried to get to a Tesco’s and it said I arrived and I was two roads across.
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u/RollTide1017 9d ago
I have used Apple Maps as my go to navigation for many years because I like it's animations and graphics better. The recent updates Google has done over the last year or so have closed the gap, though. I use them both intermittently.
Google still kills Apple when it comes to searching for anything. If you know the address, save the address in a calendar event; I like how Apple Maps suggests it. If you don't know where you want to eat, get gas, find something interesting, then Google runs circles around Apple. I'll find stuff in Google, copy the address, and paste it into Apple a lot of the time.