Support NeoGAF

[Bboy AJ]

https://www.justinobeirne.com/a-year-of-google-maps-and-apple-maps

Coincidence or not, it was interesting. And it made me wonder what else would change, if we kept watching. Would Google keep adding detail? And would Apple, like Google, also start making changes?

So I wrote a script that takes monthly screenshots of Google and Apple Maps.1 And thirteen months later, we now have a year’s worth of images:

 

[Mindwipe]

Apple Maps is the second worst thing that ever happened to Apple. The problem is they still, fundamnetally, don't get why they can't do it right.

 

[fluffydelusions]

Google maps 4 life (or until something better comes along). Cool article.

 

[Daedardus]

Heavy gif warning, this website just grinded Chrome on my beefy laptop to a halt. As a result, I couldn't even see half of the pictures of the page, sadly enough.

 

[TheAbsolution]

Even putting aside their map data, their app has gotten a lot better for navigation overall.
Just the addition of the swipe up to navigate home or to work has been really convenient for me. Plus, their navigation with lane guidance is way better than Apples navigation. They're much quicker at recognizing traffic delays, accidents, and road closures ever since their integration with Waze too.

 

[infiniteloop]

Been using Apple maps for years. Works great.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

How can something like iMessages be so elegant but Apple Maps so much trash? It's puzzling.

 

[Bboy AJ]

I guess it is quite difficult to make a topic where people actually click and read the link before posting :/

 

[Tuber]

That was a really interesting read. Cool to see how major and minor changes alike contribute to the overall feel of the apps, particularly with the Google tweaks. I think Maps is somewhat underappreciated for how much info it actually presents.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[soldat7]

Great essay and fantastic analysis. Apple should hire you to fix their problems.

 

[Tankshell]

Been using Apple maps for years. Works great.

Agree. The Carplay integration is slick too, absolutely love it.

 

[nampad]

Google is the king of maps/online cartography. There is no denying that. They are only getting better with Waze integration etc.

Apple maps is passable and I have to admit that I use it more because it is conveniently integrated into my devices.

 

[Futureman]

Been using Apple maps for years. Works great.

It's just... why? Google Maps is clearly superior. I'm sure Apple Maps works fine most the the time but there's a better, free option available. I guess most people just don't care. Whatever is on the phone when you buy it is good enough.

 

[Earthbound64]

Heavy gif warning, this website just grinded Chrome on my beefy laptop to a halt. As a result, I couldn't even see half of the pictures of the page, sadly enough.

Get a better browser?

Been using Apple maps for years. Works great.

Did you even look at the article?

I guess it is quite difficult to make a topic where people actually click and read the link before posting :/

Apparently.

 

[Aeana]

We don't need people to stop by and drop their preference hot take and scoot off. The thread is about actual data that someone took a year to collect and analyze, so let's talk about that.

 

[crazyprac]

Lol...

I appreciate how pathways are being portrayed. Went to Central Park first time (yah I know late as hell) but it was nice to see pathways you can take.

(Aeana so scary &#128534

 

[jellies_two]

. Nvm

 

[GoldenEye 007]

We don't need people to stop by and drop their preference hot take and scoot off. The thread is about actual data that someone took a year to collect and analyze, so let's talk about that.

Ok, so I got out of it that Apple was much less accurate, Google changed some colors, updated regularly, emphasized places, and now has some visual cues that look similar to Apple.

And now after a year places are at least relatively similar.

 

[Brewmont]

It's weird, all I hear is Apple Maps are trash, but it's all I use and has never steered me wrong. Anytime I'm in a car with someone using Google Maps, it fucks up the route 9 out of 10 times or is not clear enough with small streets.

 

[dramatis]

The article says that Google changed their maps to be more 'place-focused' than 'road-focused', I wonder if the design adapts depending on how the user uses it or where the user is? Like if you're using it as a GPS, maybe it uses a more 'road-focused' view? Or if you're not in a major urban area, would it still be as place-oriented?

 

[dallow_bg]

Super interesting to read and really reinforces my love of Google Maps.
I tried using Apple Maps again a month ago and it just is missing businesses that I know exist. Can't trust that.

Just look at how accurately the business locations are placed. What a difference.

Heavy gif warning, this website just grinded Chrome on my beefy laptop to a halt. As a result, I couldn't even see half of the pictures of the page, sadly enough.

Worked just fine on my old iPad.

 

[Nivash]

I think Google emphasising places over roads is a very smart idea. Most people probably aren't using maps in the traditional sense anyway these days, we've switched to using them to well, find places, and then rely on GPS for getting us there if it's far enough that we need to chart a path. Making those places easier to find (especially if you're just curious on what's around and aren't looking for a specific place) will be really helpful.

 

[TheAbsolution]

I think Google emphasising places over roads is a very smart idea. Most people probably aren't using maps in the traditional sense anyway these days, we've switched to using them to well, find places, and then rely on GPS for getting us there if it's far enough that we need to chart a path. Making those places easier to find (especially if you're just curious on what's around and aren't looking for a specific place) will be really helpful.

Yup, being able to see where a store is physically located is extremely nice and Google does is very well as this data emphasizes.

 

[RumblingRosco]

Great article. It's funny seeing Apple makes adjustments to placements of buildings more than Google in a 12-month period, yet still be less accurate than Google.

However, the really interesting part has nothing to do with Apple - it is that Google is no longer making a roadmap, but making a place/destination map. Roads mean less to Google now than places do, which is a flip from just a few years ago. Really fun article with great images, props to whoever wrote it

 

[Kinitari]

This was a great read, and it highlights the tight relationship between UI/UX and features. At least when something is designed well. The subtle shifts in colour scheme look inconsequential at first, but when you compare not just the changing palette over the years, but he information provided, you start to appreciate the work that goes into stellar design.

That's not even getting into it amazing dedication it takes for that level of accuracy, the alignment of the satellite images is insane. It's impossible to do this by hand, so it speaks to Google's amazing software. I would love to read more about how their latest AI efforts have integrated into their maps software.

 

[PdotMichael]

Looks like the dream world of Brexiters.

 

[hydrophilic attack]

Google Maps is the GOAT traveling tool. Great for helping you find interesting places and establishments when exploring a new place. Interesting to see how they've iterated to get there

Looks like the dream world of Brexiters.

lol

 

[Fuu]

Very cool article, appreciate the work that was put into it. The part about those auto services switching on Apple's map data was almost like a small plot twist, haha.

The way Google Maps evolved is fascinating, almost can't believe we have something like that at the palm of our hands, and it's even more mindblowing when you include the street view data.

 

[Technosteve]

Tom Tom is being propped up by Apple, If google spun off the maps division it would basically kill third party map providers.

 

[Earthbound64]

Looks like the dream world of Brexiters.

Republic of Ireland is still there, though.

 

[epmode]

Very cool article, appreciate the work that was put into it. The part about the auto services switching on Apple's map data was almost like a small plot twist, haha.

The ways Google Maps evolved is fascinating, almost can't believe we have something like that at the palm of our hands, and it's even more mindblowing when you include the street view data.

Street View and Google Earth are basically magic to me.

 

[cyberheater]

Heavy gif warning, this website just grinded Chrome on my beefy laptop to a halt. As a result, I couldn't even see half of the pictures of the page, sadly enough.

Worked fine on my MacBook pro.

 

[grap3fruitman]

Google Maps doesn't work with Car Play. It's the only reason I'm using the regular Maps app.

 

[FinaruDensetsu]

Apple Maps is still so shitty. I dunno what's going on.

I dunno why it took them so long to even get zoom in and zoom out while navigating working easily without a bunch of taps. Even now it's still annoying.

 

[Sandoval]

I tried apple maps when I saw that it played well with my car. I stopped using it 30 minutes later when she told me about my turn about a quarter second before I passed it.

 

[AlexMeloche]

Really interesting. Loved how the article explains the way Google Maps turned into a places maps.

 

[Shadow Puppetry]

Meh, I enjoy HERE more than Google Maps.

 

[Dyle]

Excellent analysis of the changes. I hadn't realized how much Google Maps had changed over the last 18 months.

 

[Pagusas]

No doubt Google Maps is king from that. But I'll still keep using apple maps due to CarPlay and the fact it's just nicer on the iPhone.

Convience >>> the small difference that actually affect me.

Heavy gif warning, this website just grinded Chrome on my beefy laptop to a halt. As a result, I couldn't even see half of the pictures of the page, sadly enough.

No issue what's so ever on my beefy desktop or MacBook Pro, I'd check for issues, if you keep having issues get the chrome extension that prevents gifs from playing till they are fully downloaded.

 

[Kinitari]

Having to work with making a network map in canvas in a recent project... Don't underestimate the difficulty in making ANY kind of interactive map. Just think about the attention to detail that goes into scaling visible labels when you zoom in and out. Imagine having to programatically implement a useful solution. That is one sliver of a good interactive map. Don't be too hard on Apple... Just be impressed by Google.

 

[kiguel182]

Really cool to see how Google Maps changed over time. I wonder why the focus switch from roads to places. I get that they want people to discover new places but you also need to use it to get there and track a path. Would love to know the reasoning.

 

[JaggedSac]

Goodness, that person did a ton of legwork for that article. Great work. Always interesting to see how designs and data change over time.

 

[Fuu]

Having to work with making a network map in canvas in a recent project... Don't underestimate the difficulty in making ANY kind of interactive map. Just think about the attention to detail that goes into scaling visible labels when you zoom in and out. Imagine having to programatically implement a useful solution. That is one sliver of a good interactive map. Don't be too hard on Apple... Just be impressed by Google.

Indeed. And by the end of the article it's implied that Google might have been inspired by Apple in regards to increasing place variety and the look of the icons, so it's not like they've been doing everything wrong.

 

[Renpatsu]

The article says that Google changed their maps to be more 'place-focused' than 'road-focused', I wonder if the design adapts depending on how the user uses it or where the user is? Like if you're using it as a GPS, maybe it uses a more 'road-focused' view? Or if you're not in a major urban area, would it still be as place-oriented?

Open Google Maps now and swipe right to see the granularity of their map data. So while the default maps serve their purpose as primarily place focused tap on 'Traffic' and it highlights the main roadways, 'Public Transport' and it highlights the main public transportation options, etc. That's before even using maps as a GPS navigation tool that transforms it into a more typical angled view stripping away all information aside from the roads. It's pretty clear Google Maps is aiming to be extremely comprehensive with options to suit whatever scenario a user might find themselves in.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

Google Maps needs to implement support for electric vehicle charging stations, including routing drivers through them on trips.

 

[Gentleman Jack]

I am not a fan of modern Google Maps color scheme for smaller roads, but for walking/cycling directions it's incomparably good.

 

[Skinpop]

Indeed. And by the end of the article it's implied that Google might have been inspired by Apple in regards to increasing place variety and the look of the icons, so it's not like they've been doing everything wrong.

or maybe they are doing it to standardize design. Just like how they are replacing the superior "worm" emoji with the ios-like abominations in the next android version.

 

[Earthbound64]

or maybe they are doing it to standardize design. Just like how they are replacing the superior "worm" emoji with the ios-like abominations in the next android version.

Don't remind me
RIP little blob-people

 

[Cipherr]

Their location accuracy is top notch. You just can't replace the number of years they have had their camera driving roads taking those photos and feeding them into machines to fine tune the data. No one is going to catch them in this area unless they put rubber on the road, and whenever they do, they will still be a decade or more behind.

The way you can go to locations and scroll through TIME on Google Maps to see the areas change over the years of collected streetview footage is just crazy.

 

[LeleSocho]

I'm sure that all the things the article says it's true and in fact despite being deep into the Apple ecosystem my first choice is always Google maps because i really feel it's the more trustworthy of the two but to be honest i think we reached a point where they trade blows pretty evenly for the vast majority of cases and the few times Google couldn't find what i was searching for Apple Maps could.
They are pretty complementary.

One incredibly major advantage that Google has though is Street View, it's so simple to follow a road to destination before getting in the car when you only know the whereabouts of it.