It’s hard to think of too many Apple-related bombs bigger than Apple Maps, the disastrous mapping service introduced in 2012, which resulted in widespread ridicule, at least one major executive leaving the company, and Tim Cook himself recommending that customers use rival services.
But just a few years later a new report suggests that Apple Maps is used “three times as often” as Google Maps on iOS devices, with “more than five billion map-related requests each week.”
How’s that for a turnaround?
The Associated Press report notes that Apple now gets data from more than 3,000 sources for business listings, traffic and other information. It also points out that Apple is steadily expanding its mapping of subway entrances and signs.
“That results in more precise walking directions, as stations can stretch for blocks and the center point used by some services isn’t necessarily the closest. Apple also started sending out vehicles with sensors to map roads, similar to Google’s longstanding practice.”
The report even includes words of praise from former Google employees such as Alex Mackenzie-Torres, an ex-Google Maps manager who now works for transit app Moovit:
“They really did a great job in a short amount of time. Apple has something that few companies have — simplicity in design mixed with high doses of pragmatism and practicality.”
Personally, I’m in no way surprised that Apple Maps is so thoroughly dominating Google Maps on iPads and iPhones. If I’m honest, I’m amazed that it’s only used 3x as much as Google’s service. I’ve found Apple Maps to be more than acceptable as a service, and despite having both Google’s and Apple’s map apps on my iPhone, I plump for Apple’s more often than not.
On top of this, the fact that it comes pre-installed on devices gives it an obvious advantage — particularly when you’re dealing with less tech-savvy users.
Do you think Apple has finally shorn its dodgy maps reputation here in 2015? Which map app do you use? And are you surprised at Apple’s dominance in this area? Leave your comments below.
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
11 responses to “Apple Maps now dominates Google Maps on iOS devices”
My biggest gripe with Apple maps, and where I feel Google maps wins hands down, is the integration of public transport information within the app itself. Once this is sorted, I’ll be a convert.
i keep getting updates saying that “x” place has been added to public transport. i don’t catch it though so i cannot test haha
1) they are cheating, when i write “maps” on my spotlight, google maps is WAY at the bottom even though i use that EVERY time, NEVER apples map why…. 2 main reasons
a) they do not support bicycling routes
b) you cant zoom out, the map, no matter what you do re centers and refocuses on where you are now – what if i wanted to see the whole route or just a few streets ahead ?
so yes if you cheat and make it very hard to launch google maps, no wonder most uses apples map,
Yes because it is sooooooo hard to touch the google maps icon. I just can’t do it, it’s so much easier to swipe down and type maps.
Apple maps still sucks. If I really did not know where I am going, it could be a disaster. I collect funny apple maps stories. My first bad experience: I got off the airplane in ABQ and asked for directions to Los Alamos. It directed me to the Alamo. Ok That was in 2012.
But 2 weeks ago, I wanted to check traffic to work. I asked direction to my office (using the address) and it put it in San Bernardino, CA instead of Arlington VA. That map made it to Facebook.
Other times, the data base of locations was bad: I type in an address, and I drive to the address, only my hotel is no where to be seen. I switch over to google, and find out it was right next to the freeway. If I could get google maps to default to siri, I would
Haha. We were at Disney World in Florida and needed to get to Downtown Disney which was a few miles from our hotel.
Maps directed us to get on the expressway the wrong way, so I checked and found that it was doing to us what it did to you; it was going to send us to CALIFORNIA.
Someone needs to create an ‘Apple Maps Still Sucks’ Facebook page. I’m certain many, many others would love to share their stories.
The day I feel I can safely dump google maps I will. I fear that under Cook that day will never come.
I tried to use Apple maps to find an address for a Craigslist purchase. I followed their list instructions instead of looking at the map image itself. The list said to drive x miles on the road I was on and turn left onto the road I wanted. The problem was what I actually had to do was go x-n miles on the road I was on, turn right onto another road (not mentioned in the list) and drive n miles, then turn left on the road I wanted. Then when I tried to leave there and go to a third location it did the same thing! Not all the turns are listed in the line by line instructions- useless.
For me Google maps still the best here because Apple maps dont support Middle east yet :(.
eats up data when using CarPlay
Wow! What an achievement for Apple… iOS defaults to Apple Maps with no option to switch the default to Google Maps. And I don’t trust someone from “The Cult of Mac” to give me an unbiased opinion.
Congrats…
What a joke, Apple doesn’t allow to open map links on another applications, it’s forced to Apple maps. I find this statistic a fraud.