Hi!
Kathleen here, aka TwitchyPuppy. I'm a (pretty awesome) Ambassador here and I was asked to review those two pretty good, yet very different apps. I've owned an iPhone since the 4S so I'm very familiar with Apple Maps. Google's, not so much since I rarely used it on my iPhone and even less on my business' Android phone. So, grab some popcorn because here it goes
(Please note that I tested both apps on iOS)
Apple Maps Pros:
- iOS/Siri Integration.
- Pretty good spoken directions when used as a GPS (even with street names in French*). *If phone language is set to English.
- Good choice of means of transportations and alternate routes, along with options like "Avoiding highways" and such.
- As good on iPhone than iPad.
- Very fluid and easy to use.
Apple Maps Cons:
- Almost nonexistant shops location when zooming on a shopping mall (or sometimes a block away).
- Siri doesn't always cooperate with Apple Maps, requiring more user manipulation.
- Lacking a street view.
- Not available via a website (like maps.google.com).
Google Maps pros:
- Decent choice of alternate route and transportation.
- Google integration (from within a website, ie).
- Accurate shops location when zooming on a street or shopping mall.
- Street View
- Offers inside view of some shops.
- Possibility to save a defined part of a map on your device, for offline use.
Google Maps cons:
- Not optimized for iPad.
- Lags.
- Lacking Siri integration.
- Awful default directions and alternate routes.
- Mediocre spoken directions when used as a GPS (especially with street names in French*). *If phone language is set to English.
After a week, I still prefer Apple Maps (the fact that I'm used to it does help) even if I believe there's room for improvement. Would Google Maps results have been different if I used it on an Android phone? Maybe. Maybe not!
I hope you guys enjoyed my first review (and definitely not last) as much as I did testing and writing it! Since your mileage may vary, see that review more like a guide, a base to know what to expect.
Thanks
Kathleen here, aka TwitchyPuppy. I'm a (pretty awesome) Ambassador here and I was asked to review those two pretty good, yet very different apps. I've owned an iPhone since the 4S so I'm very familiar with Apple Maps. Google's, not so much since I rarely used it on my iPhone and even less on my business' Android phone. So, grab some popcorn because here it goes
(Please note that I tested both apps on iOS)
Apple Maps Pros:
- iOS/Siri Integration.
- Pretty good spoken directions when used as a GPS (even with street names in French*). *If phone language is set to English.
- Good choice of means of transportations and alternate routes, along with options like "Avoiding highways" and such.
- As good on iPhone than iPad.
- Very fluid and easy to use.
Apple Maps Cons:
- Almost nonexistant shops location when zooming on a shopping mall (or sometimes a block away).
- Siri doesn't always cooperate with Apple Maps, requiring more user manipulation.
- Lacking a street view.
- Not available via a website (like maps.google.com).
Google Maps pros:
- Decent choice of alternate route and transportation.
- Google integration (from within a website, ie).
- Accurate shops location when zooming on a street or shopping mall.
- Street View
- Offers inside view of some shops.
- Possibility to save a defined part of a map on your device, for offline use.
Google Maps cons:
- Not optimized for iPad.
- Lags.
- Lacking Siri integration.
- Awful default directions and alternate routes.
- Mediocre spoken directions when used as a GPS (especially with street names in French*). *If phone language is set to English.
After a week, I still prefer Apple Maps (the fact that I'm used to it does help) even if I believe there's room for improvement. Would Google Maps results have been different if I used it on an Android phone? Maybe. Maybe not!
I hope you guys enjoyed my first review (and definitely not last) as much as I did testing and writing it! Since your mileage may vary, see that review more like a guide, a base to know what to expect.
Thanks
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