Even though many say Nokia is the underdog, it looks like Apple is taking a huge plunge because of its new and UN-improved maps app.
The new maps app is a part of Apple new iOS 6 operating system, and replaced Google Maps. Apple said it was made completely in-house with data from TomTom. It is supposed to have 3D maps and turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions, and also real-time traffic information, and ability to "fly" over an area and more.
However, many customers have been complaining, which will give Nokia more room to gain more customers.
Not Right
According to FOXNews, many are saying Apple maps is frustrating, inconsistent and downright inaccurate, with missing public transit stops, roads that wave like curly pasta and key buildings flat-out absent.
Not Google Maps
Many customers want Google back. According to PCMag, many can still access Google Maps on the browser of their iOS device, but the experience is not as rich as the old iOS Maps app.
When asked whether it will develop a Google Maps app for iOS, a Google spokesman said only that "we believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system."
According to CNET, many lose Google's database.
"Apple Maps sources its location information from Yelp, which so far is less reliable than Google's offering. Losing Google's database also means you lose Street View. Also, you totally lose mass transit directions, which always existed on Google Maps. Though there is a button with a tiny bus icon, it shows only a list of third-party transit apps (so why include the button at all?). If you already own such an app it will appear at the top of the list, and when pressed, kick you out to that app. Otherwise, you'll be directed to the iTunes App Store to download a title. Granted, only people who take transit will care about this feature. But the point is that Apple has removed a useful feature that you formerly got for free. Some of the third-party options are great, and they may even be better than Google Maps, but you now have to jump through an extra hoop. And more importantly, some of those other apps will cost you."
Problems with 3D and Satellite
According to CNET, there are screenshots showing "quirky things like a roller coaster Manhattan Bridge or a pockmarked Toronto airport."
Also, Apple's satellite maps aren't up-to-date as some Google images. CNET gave an example: though some freeway ramps around CNET's offices in San Francisco were removed more than a year ago, Apple still shows them in place. Google does not.
Solution?
Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told FoxNews.com the company was "working hard" to make the experience better and valued the criticism of customers.
"We launched this new map service knowing that it is a major initiative and we are just getting started with it. We are continuously improving it, and as Maps is a cloud-based solution, the more people use it, the better it will get," she said in a statement. "We're also working with developers to integrate some of the amazing transit apps in the App Store into iOS Maps. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better."
Some tech people don't believe Apple will make those improvements fast enough.
"They don't hold their own against last generation's Google Maps on iOS 5," wrote Kyle Wagner on Gizmodo, who noted that "things probably won't be getting better any time soon," despite the company's statement.
Apple might not have time to come back.
According to MSN, Mashable.com wrote, "It's just that the problems are so numerous, Maps may never have a chance to prove itself before Google comes back strong. The search giant will soon release its version, probably after just enough time has passed for us all to try Apple's Maps and pronounce it DOA."
These four reasons could really hurt Apple's attempt to dominiate the market with their new iPhone 5.
Nokia maps is a huge competitor to Apple maps, as well as Google maps. Amazon recently announced that it teamed up with Nokia as a mapping partner for their new Kindle Fire HD series.
It will leave the much more widely known Google Maps and instead partner with Finnish telecom giant Nokia Oyj's mapping utility tools for the new mapping app.
"Bing Maps, the Microsoft Mapping service also signed a sharing of unified map design agreement contained in a broader strategic partnership with Nokia. Analysts have also placed a lot of emphasis in Amazon's interest in the NYC based 3D start-up UpNext, raising speculation that 3D geographical renderings could also be in the offing," NewsSimplified said.
Nokia recently took a few jabs at Apple and Google on their blog Sept. 21, according to CNET.
"Unlike our competitors, which are financing their location assets with advertising or licensing mapping content from third parties, we completely own, build and distribute mapping content, platform and apps," the company wrote. "In other words, we truly understand that maps and location-based apps must be accurate, provide the best quality and be accessible basically anywhere. That's been standard practice at Nokia for the past six years, and we also understand that 'pretty' isn't enough."
It looks like Nokia definitely has a huge edge up against Apple maps, and it was recently revealed that many would rather buy Nokia's new flagship phone the Lumia 920 instead of the iPhone 5. The new phone is said to launch at an event Oct. 21, with a release date around the holiday season. The new Apple maps could bring more customers to Nokia.
Good job, Apple. Good job.
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