Apple Had Over One Year Left on Google Maps Contract
Apple terminated its contract with Google early, believing Google Maps to be falling behind.
By now, you've probably heard over and over again about how much Apple's iOS 6 Maps application failed. Apparently Apple was just as surprised as we were. According to a source that spoke with the folks over at The Verge, Apple and Google still had another year left on their licensing contract. Meaning, Apple could have kept Google Maps for its iOS 6 and iPhone 5 launch, it just decided not to.
In what would certainly become a decision they later regretted, Apple decided to create its own app. According to the source, Apple felt Google's maps application was falling behind, particularly noting the absence of turn-by-turn navigation. Seeing as how Android is Apple's biggest competition, it makes sense for the company to launch its own maps application, as long as it can compete.
Unfortunately for Apple, the iOS 6 maps isn't quite ready to compete with Google Maps. But hey, if they can poach a few of those Google Maps developers, maybe the app will have a chance after all!
To answer your question, it's been going on since the advent of smartphones that fail to do what they claim to do. you see, the way you put it, this is JUST a phone, hence expectations are too high. But it's not; it's touted as THE smartphone to have by it's manufacturer and it's fan base, something that just works.
Well, it doesn't work. That's why people get pissed.
Since companies started marketing smart phones as GPS/navigation devices? These companies are making GPS functions a main selling point of these devices, and so it makes perfect sense that people would complain when those features don't work as advertised.
And, since when people curse a phone because it's not a good GPS/Nav device?
To answer your question, it's been going on since the advent of smartphones that fail to do what they claim to do. you see, the way you put it, this is JUST a phone, hence expectations are too high. But it's not; it's touted as THE smartphone to have by it's manufacturer and it's fan base, something that just works.
Well, it doesn't work. That's why people get pissed.
If Apple buried it's pride, it could have kept Google Maps for the remaining year thus to provide Apple the necessary time to polish off the app instead of submitting a half baked app!
Since companies started marketing smart phones as GPS/navigation devices? These companies are making GPS functions a main selling point of these devices, and so it makes perfect sense that people would complain when those features don't work as advertised.
I use my phone as my GPS as do tons of other people. If your phone suddenly has horrible GPS, then you lose a huge functionality.
It does on Android, but didn't on iOS. Apparently one of the big sticking points for Apple was that Google was unwilling to add turn-by-turn nav. to the iOS app.
Nice one. People who try and defend this crap should just stay away.
It is still sad that apple would ditch a working product for a alpha/beta product. If they wanted voice turn by turn they should have contracted navigator as well and google maps.
Oh yeah? And which of those 3 are used by Bing? Is it Nokia or TomTom?
Surprise: NEITHER of the mentioned companies is producing map data.
They all buy it from other suppliers.
Here is more on it: http://www.maproomblog.com/2005/10/google_and_its_mapping_data_providers.php
It never did. You had to get an app that did that such as Navigon or TomTom. You could start and then you have to keep on pressing the arrows on the screen. I found it to be so annoying. My wife has a Windows Phone and it does turn by turn navigation with voice. Now if you have iPhone 4 you are stuck with the old ways with no turn by turn unless you keep on sliding the info on the screen. However, iPhone 4s and 5 have turn by turn but I can imagine some people ending up in lakes due to the state of affairs. Time they fix it or I'm ditching my iPhone 4 for Windows Phone, Android or next BB10 device. It's a shame really.
While Google maps is pretty decent, it also has a lot of problems.
Driving in the USA I have been sent down supposed "short cuts" which were not short ......
And internationally I have been sent down roads which dead ended about 100 miles from anything. I've also been sent down a highway which turned into a goat path.
This is probably true, but regardless of whether their maps of other proprietary apps work, Apple customers will buy their products because they are convinced they are the best.
Apple may not have the best products, but because their customers think they do, anything else is a moot point. They are already locked in and will buy the newest edition when it comes out because they are absolutely compelled to. It offers status and a sense of being part of an elite group. They need these devices.
Apple has the best marketing team on Earth. No one can touch it.
You should probably cite something newer than 2005. Google uses its own map data now.
http://spatiallyadjusted.com/2009/10/07/google-maps-now-uses-their-own-map-data/
If you dont want to read it, at the bottom of any google map you see "Map data copyright 2012 Google.
Your source from 2005 was back when google maps was JUST beginning.
I only wish noe that my Appy Geek app did not use this ill-informed and biased blog as a journalistic source.