In its next move to stomp out Google from its line of services, Apple has finally bit off more than it can chew, with the recent removal of the integrated Google Maps. As many techies know, with strong animosity against the Android OS, Steve Jobs vowed to ‘destroy’ Google with his “last dying breath.” Well, we all know how that turned out…Jobs is dead and Google is still thriving. Despite his death, however, Apple officials are still working hard to wipe out its biggest competitor.
In conjunction with his statement, Jobs promised to “spend every penny of Apples $40 billion in the bank,” to take Google down. I am not a business person, but I am going to take a shot in the dark and say this is probably not the best way to run a business…unless you’re trying to run it into the ground. In removing integration of Google Maps and replacing it with Apple Maps, part of Jobs statement may be coming true – They’re going to spend all their money…and turn their precious iPhone into an expensive paperweight.
In a childish war started because Apple accused Google of playing copy cat, the iPhone is losing its fervor. Apple Maps has failed so badly that articles are popping up all over the interwebs to show off their tremendous fail.
Before I expose the epic fail that has become #AppleMaps, a short comparison of the two mapping apps would be appropriate. First off, a picture says a thousand words, and Gizmodo’s comparison between the two mapping programs is a great starting point.
Gizmodo also did a side-by-side comparison of Google Maps on iOS 5 and Apple Maps on iOS 6. The comparison is not that detailed but it does give each app their own due, but mostly rules in the favor of Google Apps. It is obvious by all the fail that Apple has a long, long, long way to go to catch up to the popular Google app.
Now to move on to the fail that is Apple Maps. As I said before, bloggers all over the web are writing about the disadvantages this app has posed. A tumblr account has even been set up to share pictures of fail worthy maps. Some fails include mysterious parks replacing accurate landmarks, horrible resolution, disappearing lakes, misspelled cities, and shrunken skyscrapers. My favorite was a search for “Accurate iOS6 maps” coming up with “No Results Found.”
One thing I am tired of hearing from iPhone fanatics is how Apple will not release a phone unless they know it is worthy of their brand. They try to use that reasoning as to why Apple has one release a year, and the integrity of their releases is what keeps customers coming. The release of Apple Maps was by no means ready for public use, and has dramatically tarnished the company’s reputation. By rushing to “destroy” Google, they actually may have destroyed the view of their first mapping app.
I have no doubt that Apple will spend millions trying to perfect their app, but in the meantime, Apple Maps have been the butt of many internet jokes, and will hopefully continue to be. In the meantime, Google Maps will continue to be the most widely used free mapping program, and will most likely improve as Google strives to remain on top.
