Share This Article
Apple Maps has been gaining traction among iPhone users, who are increasingly opting for it over its competitor, Google Maps. Many customers are commending Apple Maps for its clear public transport directions and visually appealing design. While Google Maps remains the preferred alternative for the majority of iPhone users in the U.S., anecdotal reports suggest that Apple Maps is making a strong impression, particularly in terms of its transit route information and user-friendly interface.
According to The Wall Street Journal, some users have been impressed by the significant improvements made to Apple’s transit route information. This feature has caught the attention of Jane Natoli, a Google Maps “power user,” who found herself relying more on Apple Maps after her iPhone prompted her to use it at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Natoli praised Apple Maps for providing clearer and more interactive information compared to its competitor. Her positive experience at the airport led her to reconsider her prior assumptions about Apple Maps, noting that it has overcome the initial reputational hurdles it faced.
Beyond the airport, Natoli appreciates Apple Maps’ visually appealing design and its ability to present directions in a more readable manner, especially street names. In contrast, she finds it challenging to identify street names on Google Maps, even when zooming in closely. Natoli expresses that while Google Maps inundates users with points of interest such as restaurants and bars, she often seeks simpler directions without the clutter.
A recent graduate from Georgia Tech shares a similar sentiment, stating that Apple Maps provides a more visually comfortable experience while driving at night. With Apple Maps, she finds the roads easier to navigate without an overwhelming number of points of interest obstructing her view. She credits Apple’s attention to aesthetics and its ability to make things “look pretty” as contributing factors to her preference.
Apple Maps faced criticism upon its launch in 2012 due to incomplete and inaccurate mapping data, leading to some users being directed onto dangerous routes. Acknowledging the frustration it caused customers, Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly apologized, and the company swiftly made changes.
Related articles
- Apple Granted 90-Day Reprieve from Implementing “Anti-Steering” App Store Changes
- Sixth-Generation iPad Air in Development, But Release Date Remains Uncertain
- M3 Apple Silicon Macs Set to Launch in October
Over the years, Apple has invested in significant improvements, adding real-time traffic information, pedestrian navigation options, and the “Nearby” feature, which showcases local points of interest and transit directions. The app underwent a complete overhaul in the United States in early 2020, offering enhanced detail and features similar to Google’s Street View. These continuous efforts to refine Apple Maps have not gone unnoticed by users.
While Apple Maps has made substantial progress, not all users have had consistently positive experiences. Some report being led astray while walking in Boston, and others claim that their commute via CarPlay was unnecessarily prolonged by avoiding gridlock and redirecting through residential areas. However, Apple’s commitment to improving the app has played a role in reversing negative opinions. Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software, acknowledged the app’s significant progress during WWDC in June, emphasizing that Maps has come a long way and people have taken notice.