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Over the years, Apple Maps has been widely regarded as a Google Maps fan. It has never shaken his reputation as being a disappointing tool starting with a 2012 deployment that has been so riddled with errors that Tim Cook was forced to apologize for launching a product of such poor quality:
At Apple, we strive for class products that provide the best possible experience for our customers. With the launch of our new cards last week, we missed that commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused to our customers and we are doing everything we can to improve Maps.
But times change. On June 29, Apple revealed to TechCrunch that they will rebuild Apple Maps from scratch. This implies, among other things, that Apple takes control of the data that feeds Apple Maps instead of handing it over to third parties.
The widely reported and commendable makeover is good for consumers and businesses – and also highlights the path that Apple needs to take. To offer a solid alternative to Google Maps.
You're not better than your data
Apple needed to clear the slate and make a data makeover. As the future of shipping includes the use of autonomous cars and connected cities, consumers are demanding more reliable map data than ever before.
It's no exaggeration to say that without accurate location data, companies might not exist. a world in which people rely on mobile search applications to find what they want. Apple's decision to outsource map data in 2012 has cost the brand dearly because inaccurate data has created embarrassing issues for Apple Maps during its deployment, such as the detachment of road bridges and the ## 147 ## # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Labeling of amusement parks as airport:
Image: Gavan Reilly / TheJournal. ie
Ssupporting third-party data providers made Apple too vulnerable to quality control issues from someone else or to limitations becoming Apple's problem and adversely affecting her brand. The best way for Apple to be reasonably sure of eradicating bugs in Apple Maps and taking control of its own destiny was to rebuild Apple Maps with Apple's own data. And managing its own first-party data should give Apple a better insight into how its customers are using Google Maps.
Apple Maps has improved, but Google Maps is also improving. Apple has realized that it must treat cards as the precious good that it should be, and it starts with owning its own data. As TechCrunch reports, the process of reconstructing Apple Maps means:
… using the first-party data collected by iPhones with a privacy methodology and its own fleet of cars filled with sensors and cameras . The new product will be launched in San Francisco and Bay Area with the upcoming iOS 12 beta and will cover Northern California in the fall.
As Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Apple's Internet Services and Software, TechCrunch:
wanted to take this to the next level. We have been working on trying to create what we hope to be the best map application in the world, going on to the next step. This builds from scratch all our own map data.
Can Apple Maps intercept Google Maps?
The existing Apple Maps interface does not change. Apple Maps seeks instead to make the application more functional, for example, by making addresses more accurate, by better locating new builds, by giving travelers precise instructions about the door entry. a location, using accurate 3D renderings identify public areas commonly browsed but not previously mapped.
These changes are useful, if only to make navigation safer and offer users an alternative to Google Maps. The competition is good. he keeps Google on his toes.
But Google did not wait for Apple Maps to challenge Google to improve. Google Maps has grown by leaps and bounds. Over the years, Google has continually improved Google Maps, not only by making the tool more accurate, but also by creating landmarks such as businesses, more useful data sources, such as reviews, and more. 39; users. / google-maps-moat
They make Google Maps a better tool not only for finding businesses, but also for learning more about the places you visit.
In 2018, at its I / O developer conference, Google announced a series of impressive improvements to Maps, such as augmented reality (AR) incorporation to take signaling to another level. The incorporation of RA shows how Google Maps is not only a utility but also an innovation platform.
Image: VRFocus – from Google I / O keynote 2018
Other Google Maps changes to I / O:
- the application by suggesting places to visit based your use of Google Maps, including the places you and your friends have evaluated. Google Maps custom content uses automatic learning to better understand your preferences and provide you with better recommendations on using Google Maps, as Spotify recommends songs based on how you're doing. and your friends use Spotify.
- Make Google Maps more social and shareable. Google allows users to create shareable short lists of recommended places to visit. Users can use sharable lists to collaborate with friends on activity planning, making Google Maps more social for users and more useful for companies with well-developed Google Maps identities.
Google has made additional changes, such as For example, Google Maps may ask users to "turn left at McDonald's" in the way people naturally talk to each other instead of saying "Turn to the south to 141 "Street, which is not always useful when someone is navigating in an unknown area.
These are the types of improvements by Google that point out where Apple needs to go. It's a good news that Apple is investing in creating a solid data set to redirect users from one point to another in an efficient and accurate way, but that's not all. is in 2004 that Google began to build this dataset with its acquisition of Where 2 Technologies.
In 2006, Google was already collecting its own data for the launch of Street View in 2007.
Consider some of the new features that Apple's and Google's card teams are currently using.
very well catch up with Google's basic mapping data set, Apple will also need to significantly enhance its Points of Interest (POI) data set.
Currently, Apple relies on a number of sources to populate their POI dataset. But the results are often incomplete and miss a number of relevant places. For example, one of the most popular Mexican restaurants in my neighborhood has been open for over a year, has more than 77 Google reviews and still does not appear on Apple Maps when you search for " Mexican restaurants near me "due to a
Similar to the complete taking possession of its mapping data set by Apple, Apple has decided to invest in the creation of tools and services to enable companies to manage their data easily and on a large scale. Even with all the spam we see on Google Maps these days, the delta of the most relevant list of places returned for searches is increasing, not decreasing.
What Companies Should Do
Of course, companies must put a high priority on updating your ads on Google Maps. Without a doubt, Google Maps is the reference in terms of brands. Use tools like your Google My Business dashboard to keep your data and content up-to-date (including customer reviews, especially with Google updates from I / O).
You should also treat Apple as an important publisher; Apple will improve the guidance, companies with a strong presence on Apple Maps will benefit.
If you are a small business, you can claim your registration in Apple Maps Connect, but for multi-tenancy businesses, the use of a reliable reputation management platform can help.
Whichever way you choose, invest your resources and time in your Google Maps presence, and protect your side on Apple Maps too.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author. .
