iPhone just might be the best thing that has ever happened to Google Maps -– it has made them popular like never before and has driven the usage substantially. This information comes courtesy of Marissa Mayer, Google’s vice president of search products & user experience.
She said that Google Maps usage shot up sharply after the release of Apple’s iPhone back in July. “Maps usage hasn’t stopped rising,” she said during our conversation. Steve Jobs had bragged about Google Maps for iPhone as the best map application, and the usage patterns bear that out.
No surprise here. It’s been 10-15 years since I lived on the road; but, I would have killed for an application like Google Maps running on a cell phone. GPS products still suck when it comes to flexibility.
I wonder if someone like Steve Jobs would make a good USA President?
GPS products still suck when it comes to flexibility.
If you’re trying to bend them, Eideard, you’re using them wrong.
:^)
“GPS products still suck when it comes to flexibility.”
I dont know why you say that, Ive found the GPS feature on my phone to be very usefull.
#1 – Ummmm…..No.
#2 – Never though of that. 🙂
#2 – Ryan, if I could only find one that was diesel-powered. : ]
>>“GPS products still suck when it comes to flexibility.”
Yes, they totally blow. After mistakenly investing hundreds of dollars in a Garmin GPS device that turned out to be waaaaaaay too much of a pain in the ass to use regularly, I’m back to Google maps.
If those things were any good, EVERYBODY would have one. They’re not, so they don’t.
I must be a luddite … I still use a paper map and a good sense of direction. On the other hand, I really don’t go anywhere anymore. Since I quit my last job (driving related) and went to work in IT I have turned into a hermit.
#6 – Gotta agree with you. I almost bought one last year. Glad I held off. Too much money for what you get.
Well, the market-driven point is that [1] stodgy bloody Telcos aren’t about to design something new and easier to use – nor are their flunkies in the handset biz – and [2] GPS companies still think they’re selling to Magellan.
10,
I’m not completely happy with the map functionality on the iPhone. The maps refresh very slowly when resizing and are useless if you don’t have a co-driver to read the small screen. I had a route planned out but had trouble using the map because the resize time was so terribly shitty. I’d be staring at a blank screen as I sailed past the highway exit while trying to verify the exit number.
Problems STILL come around if you cant get a Cellphone signal.
NO signal,
NO net.
NO google.
I know that the cell corps have installed ALOT of towers round the main highways. but that isnt ALL the highways, and isnt in the Outback, and trail systems. So, I wouldnt DEPEND on this sytem unless you can store a good mapping system on it.
ECA – true but if you load up the route first it keeps it in the phone, signal or not. Very useful that. I’ve used it myself a good few times.
I’ve got GPS units built into both of my cars and they’re excellent. I use them all the time to find obscure restaurants, etc.
>>I’ve got GPS units built into both of my cars and they’re excellent.
I have a handheld one, and it sucks balls. Between the interminable startup time, the shitty reception, the crappy battery life, the obscure command set, and the copy-protected “locked” maps, I use it now as a paperweight.
I will say that the talking ones I have used in rental cars are kind of cool though.
7/11 (well, THAT was fun): You almost always use a GPS with a map and compass. GPS is satellite based, and doesn’t use cell phone signals. The GPS can tell you where you are on the map, especially useful when you’re on flat, relatively featureless land. If you locate some object of interest, store its GPS coordinates, and go elsewhere, you can go back to that object using the GPS.
Example: I’m a caver. My friends and I relocated a small, hard to see pit cave the other day out in relatively flat ranch land by retrieving its coordinates from my friend’s GPS, and following the suggested course to the pit. We couldn’t see it until we were within 10 feet of the hole.
Anyone ever hear of Helio (Ocean)? It does Google Maps as well.
Mr. M. said, “I will say that the talking ones I have used in rental cars are kind of cool though.”
My GPS in the car has a great female voice that tells you everything. You really don’t have to even look at the screen. But the screen is really cool too. You can set it for a split screen that has a map on the left and on the right is the next three turns with names.
>>My GPS in the car has a great female voice
Most of the rental cars I’ve gotten talking GPS units in have been at SFO, and they all have male voices. Guess that’s what I get for driving around San Fran ;(