Favorite Map App? (1 Viewer)

[Joe Bryant]

Thought this was interesting. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/appl...-big-change-its-very-bad-news-for-google.html

Apple Maps Just Announced a Big Change. It's Very Bad News for Google​

Apple Maps is coming to the web.​

I use Google Maps and have for a long time.

I'm not sure if it's a change or not but recently was in the car with a person using Apple Maps and the voice directions were pretty great. Very natural "After this stop light, turn right at the next stoplight" type stuff. I was impressed.

I know lots of people love Waze.

I'm sure with this crowd we have a range too.

What do you like best and why?

 

[3C's]

Waze and I don't use voice navigation, only alerts (police reported ahead!).

 

[beer 30]

Waze for me as well but not married to it. One thing I don't like about it that Apple/Google does much better is giving you a heads up on upcoming turns. Waze waits until you at the intersection to tell you turn, the other ones give you plenty of advance notice that a turn is coming up and what lane you need to be in.

 

[belljr]

Google owns Waze. That's how the user alerts were added to Google. Many other features were also added from Waze

But not sure how having apple maps on the web is going to be bad for Google maps web

 

[Scoresman]

There is no perfect map app. I use both Google and Waze.

Waze is better for the fastest route and for being creative with side streets,etc. Google has a slightly better interface.

What neither of them do well, or I haven’t figured out how to find, is clearly tell you what lane you need to be in. Many situations where you need to quickly make a turn but there’s no real way to get in the proper lane in time.

 

[belljr]

There is no perfect map app. I use both Google and Waze.

Waze is better for the fastest route and for being creative with side streets,etc. Google has a slightly better interface.

What neither of them do well, or I haven’t figured out how to find, is clearly tell you what lane you need to be in. Many situations where you need to quickly make a turn but there’s no real way to get in the proper lane in time.

Google is getting a little better with this but I agree

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Google for me

 

[massraider]

But not sure how having apple maps on the web is going to be bad for Google maps web

From that article:

In fact, the main reason Google Maps has become almost unusable for anyone who cares about user experience and design is that the entire interface seems as though it mostly exists as a way to show you more ads. It doesn't feel like a product meant to delight its users.

That's just......bad.

I haven't heard anyone say Google Maps is unusable, but then again, I probably don't know any Map users who want to be delighted by their Maps application.

The ones I know want to get places.

 

[General Malaise]

Just completed a 3,300 mile road trip and Google tried to send us down a fire road to get to a campsite. That fire road - and I'm not exaggerating - might have been the end of us (not meant for low clearance minivans, 107 degrees, extreme fire danger, etc). It kept repopulating that route and wasn't much help finding a safe route. That's just one complaint. Late on exits and necessary lane changes a couple of times in intense, SoCal traffic.

I'm open to new suggestions.

 

[dgreen]

But not sure how having apple maps on the web is going to be bad for Google maps web

From that article:

In fact, the main reason Google Maps has become almost unusable for anyone who cares about user experience and design is that the entire interface seems as though it mostly exists as a way to show you more ads. It doesn't feel like a product meant to delight its users.

That's just......bad.

I haven't heard anyone say Google Maps is unusable, but then again, I probably don't know any Map users who want to be delighted by their Maps application.

The ones I know want to get places.

Also, I've never seen an ad on Google Maps.

 

[Psychopav]

Waze with no sound. Can't speak highly enough of Waze. And the more people who use it, the better it is.

 

[odin33]

If I'm looking for fastest route around town- Waze (mainly for police notifications). If I'm traveling through an unknown area, especially if there's a lot of turns/merges- Apple (better heads up as to what do do next).

Headed out of town tomorrow and was thinking of using waze for the police notifications. Has google added this feature recently?

 

[Joe Bryant]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

 

[belljr]

If I'm looking for fastest route around town- Waze (mainly for police notifications). If I'm traveling through an unknown area, especially if there's a lot of turns/merges- Apple (better heads up as to what do do next).

Headed out of town tomorrow and was thinking of using waze for the police notifications. Has google added this feature recently?

Google has had user alerts for speed traps, construction etc for a pretty long time now.

2018 2019 maybe

 

[massraider]

Has google added this feature recently?

I get notifications for speed traps using Maps/Navigator with Android Auto.

I have no idea if it's as good as Waze, even tho I have used both. I like Waze a lot, but I don't know if I liked it so much better to switch. When I used Waze, I felt like it was too busy. Too many notifications (car onside of road)--(hey is that car still there)--(debris in the road) (hey is that debris still there???)

I am sure you can limit those notifications, that's not a deal breaker. What WAS a deal breaker is you cannot import from Google Maps. I use Maps a lot, I save places, I have lists, and different labels, and have stuff saved across probably 10 different cities/areas.

 

[belljr]

Has google added this feature recently?

I get notifications for speed traps using Maps/Navigator with Android Auto.

I have no idea if it's as good as Waze, even tho I have used both. I like Waze a lot, but I don't know if I liked it so much better to switch. When I used Waze, I felt like it was too busy. Too many notifications (car onside of road)--(hey is that car still there)--(debris in the road) (hey is that debris still there???)

I am sure you can limit those notifications, that's not a deal breaker. What WAS a deal breaker is you cannot import from Google Maps. I use Maps a lot, I save places, I have lists, and different labels, and have stuff saved across probably 10 different cities/areas.

With Android Auto and Apple Car Play in vehicles it's almost by default for many. So easy with Google maps in the HUD and console

 

[The Gator]

Has google added this feature recently?

I get notifications for speed traps using Maps/Navigator with Android Auto.

I have no idea if it's as good as Waze, even tho I have used both. I like Waze a lot, but I don't know if I liked it so much better to switch. When I used Waze, I felt like it was too busy. Too many notifications (car onside of road)--(hey is that car still there)--(debris in the road) (hey is that debris still there???)

I am sure you can limit those notifications, that's not a deal breaker. What WAS a deal breaker is you cannot import from Google Maps. I use Maps a lot, I save places, I have lists, and different labels, and have stuff saved across probably 10 different cities/areas.

With Android Auto and Apple Car Play in vehicles it's almost by default for many. So easy with Google maps in the HUD and console

Yeah, agreed, it's very nice and easy. We use apple maps and even if we know the destination, will still punch it in to get the alerts.

 

[urbanhack]

I've heard apple maps has gotten better but it was so bad a few years ago that I'm tainted against it.

Waze user here but I've got my issues with it sometimes.

 

[massraider]

I've heard apple maps has gotten better but it was so bad a few years ago that I'm tainted against it.

Wasn't there a generation of iPhones that didn't have Google Maps, and there was almost a revolt? I swear I remember something.

A different tech writer on Apple Maps

Doing a search for this subject has led me to the clear conclusion that while Apple Maps may not have caught up, their PR clickbait campaign on this subject is firing on all cylinders.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

We stay at Airbnb/short-term rental properties a lot and it's not uncommon to see in the check-in instructions, usually in all-caps. something like "do not use Apple Maps to navigate to our home, it will send you to the wrong place, please use google maps instead".

Until they get that fixed, I don't really think it matters much that they've added a non-core piece of functionality that google maps has had for literally more than a decade already.

 

[dgreen]

I've heard apple maps has gotten better but it was so bad a few years ago that I'm tainted against it.

Waze user here but I've got my issues with it sometimes.

Yeah, several years ago, I noticed Apple would regularly have longer times to reach a destination despite using the same route as Google. And, in my experience, Google's ETA was more accurate. For example, I'd get in my car to go to work. My phone would assume that's where I'm going and my iPhone would immediately give me an Apple Maps notification with something like "1 hour 17 minutes to Work". I'd think, "Oh, I guess traffic is bad this morning." Then I'd bring up Google Maps and see normal traffic (green/yellow/red lines) and Google would give me a typical travel time of about 55 minutes. And, sure enough, I'd be at work in about the time Google predicted.

 

[Psychopav]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

Google Maps vs Waze

Google Maps and Waze have a lot of things in common, which makes sense considering Google is responsible for them both. But no matter how many updates happen, and how small the gap becomes, Google Maps and Waze remain very distinct as their core. And it's primarily down to the fact the two navigation apps both work in completely different ways.


Google Maps is all about the data, with years of archives to fall back on, while Waze is more focused on crowdsourcing data from other drivers — and relying on them to keep things up to date. Waze is also famous for how aggressively it can be in trying to speed up your trip, which is part of the reason it's so popular.

 

[MrJimiT]

A high percentage of my peers that talk about it, use Waze. On their recommendation, I have attempted to use it on multiple occasions. However I just did not get as comfortable with it as I do with Google Maps. So it's Google for me. I don't know about Google's algorithm for learning routes, etc, but lately even my lane suggestions have been pretty spot on for the most part when I am in a familiar area.

 

[urbanhack]

BTW...i'm in my driveway if you look at the street view of both google and apple maps.

 

[urbanhack]

https://i.ibb.co/tcXvjDg/Screenshot-2024-07-26-094603.png

 

[jhib]

But not sure how having apple maps on the web is going to be bad for Google maps web

From that article:

In fact, the main reason Google Maps has become almost unusable for anyone who cares about user experience and design is that the entire interface seems as though it mostly exists as a way to show you more ads. It doesn't feel like a product meant to delight its users.

That's just......bad.

I haven't heard anyone say Google Maps is unusable, but then again, I probably don't know any Map users who want to be delighted by their Maps application.

The ones I know want to get places.

It's confusing because the article doesn't seem to be about the map apps at all, but the user experience of using maps in a browser. But they write half the time like they're talking about the apps.

Acting like Apple Maps is an objectively "far better looking app" is just silly. Probably just based on what you're used to looking at. Personally, I find my wife's apple map app to be overly cartoonist or something .

And I don't know who ever is looking at maps on a computer looking to be delighted.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Used to use Waze. Almost exclusively use Apple now. If that’s the one on the phone.

 

[Joe Bryant]

A big thing for me is folders. I have a folder for the different cities I regularly visit and it's a big plus. Does Waze do that?

I know Apple does.

 

[waiver wire]

I have never used Waze
I use google maps for driving
I use maps.me and google for walking. I prefer maps.me because it shows better shortcuts and better details
Hiking i use all trails and maps.me

 

[Payne]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

Police

Also: I feel Waze is updated faster due to real time data from other drivers.

 

[nirad3]

I guess I should try Waze. I just use Google Maps. Prefer it over Apple for some reason.

I mainly use it when on business trips, not always knowing where I'm going. Google's been fine... no ads, ever.

 

[belljr]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

Google Maps vs Waze

Google Maps and Waze have a lot of things in common, which makes sense considering Google is responsible for them both. But no matter how many updates happen, and how small the gap becomes, Google Maps and Waze remain very distinct as their core. And it's primarily down to the fact the two navigation apps both work in completely different ways.


Google Maps is all about the data, with years of archives to fall back on, while Waze is more focused on crowdsourcing data from other drivers — and relying on them to keep things up to date. Waze is also famous for how aggressively it can be in trying to speed up your trip, which is part of the reason it's so popular.

See I don't get that. GM has crowd sourcing also. Maybe not enough people know about the options to add police to their route as they drive?

 

[Psychopav]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

Google Maps vs Waze

Google Maps and Waze have a lot of things in common, which makes sense considering Google is responsible for them both. But no matter how many updates happen, and how small the gap becomes, Google Maps and Waze remain very distinct as their core. And it's primarily down to the fact the two navigation apps both work in completely different ways.


Google Maps is all about the data, with years of archives to fall back on, while Waze is more focused on crowdsourcing data from other drivers — and relying on them to keep things up to date. Waze is also famous for how aggressively it can be in trying to speed up your trip, which is part of the reason it's so popular.

See I don't get that. GM has crowd sourcing also. Maybe not enough people know about the options to add police to their route as they drive?

Does GM change your route during the trip if traffic conditions change? The article implies that it doesn't.

 

[belljr]

I've been a waze user when it first launched and before Google bought them.

Now I'm mostly google.

How does Waze differ from Google now?

Google Maps vs Waze

Google Maps and Waze have a lot of things in common, which makes sense considering Google is responsible for them both. But no matter how many updates happen, and how small the gap becomes, Google Maps and Waze remain very distinct as their core. And it's primarily down to the fact the two navigation apps both work in completely different ways.


Google Maps is all about the data, with years of archives to fall back on, while Waze is more focused on crowdsourcing data from other drivers — and relying on them to keep things up to date. Waze is also famous for how aggressively it can be in trying to speed up your trip, which is part of the reason it's so popular.

See I don't get that. GM has crowd sourcing also. Maybe not enough people know about the options to add police to their route as they drive?

Does GM change your route during the trip if traffic conditions change? The article implies that it doesn't.

Yes it does. I've used both Waze and GM

Only use GM now but yes alternate routes are suggested and you can accept the change. It usually doesn't pop up until the traffic would cause like +5 minute delay. You can also press a button that brings up alternate routes etc. Shrug

Eta: I know nothing about Apple maps

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Waze

 

[the moops]

In general I don't use any maps app besides to look up restaurants and find reviews. So for that, google. I know where I am going 95% of the time. I may peak at it before I leave to see if there is any accidents or delays, but typically I am in the car just listening to music and driving with no map feature

 

[Terminalxylem]

Apple maps has worked fine for me.

Heard great things about Waze, but seemed kinda cluttered when I tried it. I’m assuming you can remove the little cartoon waze vehicles from the display?

 

[kupcho1]

Google maps

Apple is typically pretty good at being a fast follower, but their maps app sucked. Forever.
If they've finally fixed, good for the small crowd that stuck with it.

 

[Wingnut]

Google is the only map app I've ever used.

 

[Bozeman Bruiser]

I've gone pretty far down the tinfoil hat privacy hole the last year or so, trying to get away from Google everything.

Maps was my last and hardest to cut ties with. I had probably 5k places saved over the years and having the location timeline that would show me where I was on this birthday or that holiday was an awesome trip down memory lane.

Today I use GmapsWV, a logged out web view wrapper of Google maps, to look up places, read reviews, figure routes and distances, etc.

My main map for navigation, be it driving or hiking, is Osmand~, an open source app based on OpenStreetsMap that some Euros built. The learning curve was steep and the customizations are endless but I've got it to the point now that it has most of the Google Maps features, including traffic.

GmapsWV and Osmand~ are both available on F-Droid app store if there are any other FOSS-curious posters here that want to try them out. Android only, although Apple does have a paid version of Osmand

 

[ChiefD]

Jeez people. Life ain’t this complicated. Use Google maps, which has collected the most data available in real time to make their mapping software the most accurate ever.

There is a reason they make a jillion trillion dollars a year. EVERYONE USES GOOGLE.