When I was 15yo I got a job at a grocery store. On the first day I had to watch a very dull safety video. This is now the most boring thing I've ever watched.

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 
This is now the most boring thing I've ever watched.

This is Google when they don't have Apple to copy for their videos.

What we really need in Google Maps is the ability to "avoid highways" and "detour for x number of miles". Google provides both of these features for Android users, but not for iOS users.

Will end users be able to take advantage of this ins anyway? I made overlays for Google earth i would love to see on Google maps on my phone

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolipsismX 

This is now the most boring thing I've ever watched.

I hate amateur video like this. They probably used a Nexus to record it with the built in mic. Crap audio and the swooshy sound is just so 90s. The content is sort of interesting but the presentation is terrible.

Question:  Why is Google suddenly rushing this half baked API out for iOS ?

Answer:  Apple Map Kit rocks!

Check it out... It was updated on 1-28-2013 with support for local map searches.

http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/MapKit/Reference/MapKit_Framework_Reference/_index.html

Everyone bashed Apple Maps, but it was superior to Google Maps in the sense that it was more open to developers.  Google has no choice but to open up to developers or get left behind.  With the number of people using Apple maps, it won't take long for Apple to catch up to Google.  The only reason Google's maps are so good is because Google has been collecting map data from iPhone users since 2007.  Prior to 2007, Google maps wasn't all that great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ash471 

Everyone bashed Apple Maps, but it was superior to Google Maps in the sense that it was more open to developers.  Google has no choice but to open up to developers or get left behind.  With the number of people using Apple maps, it won't take long for Apple to catch up to Google.  The only reason Google's maps are so good is because Google has been collecting map data from iPhone users since 2007.  Prior to 2007, Google maps wasn't all that great.

This is shaping up to be an interesting race. Indeed, user base will improve both services. But Google is also investing in "on the ground" data gathering. AFAIK, Apple is relying on 3rd parties to do this. Is anyone aware of Apple sending out trucks, bikes or the like to map the world?

They used Melbourne and Sydney for their demo (see video above). Is this a subtle jab at Apple, after the news story about people in Australia using Apple maps and getting sent 70km off course?

As a developer I think it's way cool that there is *such a thing* as an API that gives you access to maps of the world, let alone two such APIs (Apple's and Google's)!!