Tag: Maps

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Apple keeps improving iOS 6 Maps.

Apple keeps improving iOS 6 Maps as promised while detractors keep attacking on the issue.

Apple should have mentioned in the beginning that iOS 6 Maps is a work in progress. Just like a series, they’ll fix each episodes in post. As higher quality aerial photos and Digital Elevation Maps are added and processed, iOS 6 Maps 3D view will be improved. The same goes with the navigation feature of iOS 6 Maps.

Comparisons below.

 

Brooklyn Bridge

The Melted Brooklyn Bridge. (2012-09-26)
Brooklyn Bridge in proper 3D view. (2012-10-05)

 

Statue of Liberty

Statue of Liberty, in a skewed, non-3D view. (2012-09-26)
Statue of Liberty, in 3D view. (2012-10-05)
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Tim Cook’s letter regarding Apple Maps

Tim Cook’s letter on Apple.com:

A letter to our customers regarding Maps.

To our customers,

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

…….

While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.

Tim Cook
Apple’s CEO

Tim Cook is doing what a CEO should do in times like these. In the end, improving the Maps is the only thing that matters.

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Maps and Glass Houses

Many criticize Apple’s own Maps app in iOS 6 such as the melted Brooklyn Bridge. Remember that throwing rocks at glass houses is a lot easier than making a Map application. Let’s throw some rocks at those glass houses.

The melted Brooklyn Bridge in Apple Maps. Low quality satellite photo and raw elevation data do not produced a good automatically generated 3D view of the bridge.

There’s a little photo stitching problem, most likely because it is automatically done by software.

Apple is not the only one having problems making 3D maps. Google is having the same issues on different locations.

3D view of Golden Gate Bridge in Apple Maps:

3D View of Golden Gate Bridge in Google Earth:

Apparently there’s a floating road on the water next to the Golden Gate Bridge according to Google.

It is really easy to choose and pick the battle. Over time Apple will improve its Maps application just like what Google has been doing for the last 5 years. Google is not immune to some silly mistakes, that’s because the map is processed and assembled by some algorithms. There’s where human element is needed to make some adjustments and corrections.