[wafflebear]

The problem is that there is essentially no limit to how detailed a map can be. As long as Google continues to add detail to their maps as fast as Apple does, Apple will not be able to catch up.

Most other products have a plateau where adding more features ceases to make the product better.

Apple Maps definitely has improved a lot since when it was introduced in 2012.

[p49k]

That’s fine and understandable, but Apple should not be forcing their maps product down the throats of iOS users by crippling competitors’ products for no good reason (same goes for Apple crippling Spotify to promote Apple Music, etc.)

[jacksmith21006]

Forcing users to use your stuff never works out well. But really just like to see Apple fix the problem and get back to trying to provide the best UX in the industry.

[cpuguy83]

That's a bold statement. I use Google maps on my iPhone. What's the problem?

I'd say Apple Maps did its job well... It got Google to release Google Maps FOR iOS.

[p49k]

What Apple is doing now is similar to what Microsoft did in the 90s regarding Internet Explorer. Yes, you can use other apps, but much of the common ways to integrate into the OS are purposely disabled for non-Apple apps for obvious anti-competitive purposes; for Google maps, you can't set it as your default maps app (which means Apple Maps is constantly opening in contexts where you obviously want Google Maps), there is no CarPlay integration, can't use it properly with Siri, etc.

I guess they can get away with it because iOS isn't a monopoly, but I think it's a dumb move on their part.

[cpuguy83]

Fair point.

[lern_too_spel]

Open one of your contact's addresses in Google Maps. It's trivial to replace the default mapping application in Android and impossible on iOS.

https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/290873

[bdamm]

Now if I could just get Siri to navigate with google maps...