After some intensive examination since itsyesternight release , there ’s no doubt about it : Google Maps for iOS is , hands down , the best map software , perhaps on any platform . So in force , so tight , and so uninfected . There ’s really no contest . They collar it , and shamed Apple in the process .
https://gizmodo.com/download-google-maps-for-ios-right-now-and-get-turn-by-5968065
I thought that maybe my first impression — playing with it for an 60 minutes at once after download it the second it came out — was regulate by my suffering with Apple Maps since I upgrade to iOS 6 in September . No matter what the Apple apologists say , Scott Forstall ’s final horrorshow was a rush - out excuse of a intersection with poor localisation information and regretful hunting system of logic dressed up with flashy skeuomorphic dealings signs and some useless features ( “ this sucks … oh , hey , we have 3D buildings ! ” * drops smoking bomb * ) .
Even Apple admitted that much after it was obvious that its customers — not just the media — were protesting hard everywhere . In my case , three out of three Apple Maps - guided route head trip were screw at one point ; once Apple Maps escorted me to a pedestrian bridgework in Pennsylvania . It was that good . And almost every single prison term I ’ve seek to seek for a business near me , it has go . Like when I needed to fix my Denon cans and it showed me one result : an auto repair shop an hour away from my mansion . A Google Maps desktop search showed five actually appropriate locations within walking distance . You do the mathematics .
But no , it was n’t just the contrast with my Apple Maps experience . After more intensive testing today , it ’s clear that Google Maps stands on its own as a milled , brilliant product that really work , as opposed to the brightly milled turd that is Apple Maps . The iOS mapping nightmare is over .
What Is It?
A mapping app for iPhone that provides with turn - by - play driving directions , transportation info , and walking routing . It let in 360 - academic degree street views ( so extremely useful when give way to newfangled places ) , location reviews ( eatery , store , etc . all force from Google ’s review ) , traffic info in genuine clip , and overlay metro and bus maps ( showing every bus stop as little dit is such a nice touch ) . It also synchronizes with the desktop version of Google Maps as long as you infix your Google accounting info ( this is optional , but one of its must - have best features ) .
Who’s It For?
Everyone with any iOS gimmick : Phone 3GS , iPhone 4 , iPhone 4S , iPhone 5 , iPod tactile sensation ( 3rd generation ) , iPod tinge ( 4th generation ) , iPod touch ( 5th coevals ) and iPad . EVERYONE .
Design
So fresh , so good . whole devoid of skeuomorphic component , the Google Maps interface is a joy to use . It has an optimal info density , it ’s pleasant to the center , it make a dependable use of icons , and its entropy is always intelligibly present , order by grandness .
The substance abuser experience is great all around , from the speed of lookup and the map showing ( which is transmitter - based , resulting in a faster faster , kill putting to death pussycat experience ) to the layout of each fix information card .
Selecting path using unlike transportation methods is a one - click breeze , either from a tilt or directly on the map . It ’s definitely abettor user experience than Apple Maps , which is a stilted interface clearly skew in favour of turn - by - turn drive .
https://gizmodo.com/google-vs-apple-maps-total-domination-5968129
Like everything else , traffic and public fare stops are also intelligibly presented . super skilful job , Google .
Using It
set off with the top search field of study . insert any full term and instant results — using Google ’s bulletproof search engine , your past hunt history both on Mobile River and desktop , and your best-loved places — will appear . Click one of the instant results , or click search for more . The results are displayed on the function , with a very convenient swipe - and - see bottom strip that shows the name and basic information of all the solution , one by one .
you’re able to swipe on any business name to quickly access to its data lineup . These have a very exonerated layout that gives you what you really need to cognise without take in to go through stunned tabs . Just scroll down to see the info in order of importance : opening times , reference , three braggy buttons to Call , Favorite or Share , Street View ( just click once over the thumbnail , and boom ) and customer pic , and at long last reviews , starting with Zagat Reviews for restaurants and other business organization . I will take these anytime over Yelp , thank you very much .
But you could ignore the info placard , of form , and start the routing decent away . select the icon next to the business organization name and it will show you the road panel , in which you may quickly select your preferred transportation system method . Clicking on cable car , transit , or walking will show you a nice list of proposed itinerary , class by time . press any of them and the mapping overview will open up . At this sentence you’re able to begin the route right away or select an alternative path graphically in the single-valued function itself . It ’s moderately simple , logical and immobile .
The route just act . All my tests work just all right , render the fastest route possible . The turn - by - turn of events navigation has a clear voice . The app will push direction notifications — and speak them , too — if you close out of it in the centre of a road . These can be turned off if you require .
dealings , passage single-valued function and satellite prospect are all accessible by swiping a petty thingmabob to the left . This is also a straightforward and fast step — like everything else in this app .
Oh , and as a fillip :
Google Maps show real 3D map too . When you soar upwards in , you will see them . Not bogus isometric linear perspective , but factual 3D poppycock .
you may look around Street View using the accelerometer and the compass instead of using your finger’s breadth . That means you could get to near a positioning and , if you are not certain where the business sector is , you just take Street View out and equate .
Hello again , awesomely improved Street View
Tl;dr: It’s a joy to use.
The Best Part
All of it . It just works great so far , thanks to an ingenious user interface and Google ’s smart , still salutary - of - course hunt railway locomotive . But the upright perk ? Unlike Apple ’s artificial product water parting designed to trade products rather of serving its client , the good turn - by - turn sailing works in most low - end iOS devices .
Tragic Flaw
The tragical flaw is not Google ’s geological fault . The tragical flaw comes from Apple : you ca n’t set Google Maps as your default Maps app . If you tap an address in an email or contact carte du jour , it will still give the Apple crap . This is something that Apple , if they really wanted to attend to their customer , must change for all its product . Why should they wedge me to use their Maps or Mail app throughout iOS ?
There you have it . The only intellect why we are not giving this five stars is because of Apple ’s obstinacy to push some of their subscript apps down our corporate throat .
This Is Weird…
That Google has blast this so hard at the user port ( and every other ) level , while Apple still has n’t gotten its act together .
Test Notes
All the routes I ’ve used to test its accuracy were known routes to me . Every time Google Maps returned the optimal route first , offering alternative routes if available .
This thing is great . Download it , and never look back .
• Price : gratuitous
• Giz Rank : 4.5 genius
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