Matthew Panzarino, TechCrunch:
Maps needs fixing.
Apple, it turns out, is aware of this, so It’s re-building the maps part of Maps.
It’s doing this by using first-party data gathered by iPhones with a privacy-first methodology and its own fleet of cars packed with sensors and cameras. The new product will launch in San Francisco and the Bay Area with the next iOS 12 Beta and will cover Northern California by fall.
Every version of iOS will get the updated maps eventually and they will be more responsive to changes in roadways and construction, more visually rich depending on the specific context they’re viewed in and feature more detailed ground cover, foliage, pools, pedestrian pathways and more.
Read the whole article. It’s comprehensive, as seems to be the reroll of Maps. This is Apple owning the process and the data, all with an emphasis on privacy.
Matthew got to ride in the Apple Maps van and got a close up look at the technology and process used to capture the new Apple Maps data. He also had a few visits with the team to learn about New Maps.
Reading this, I’ve got high hopes for New Maps. Looking forward to seeing it in the wild.
[H/T @Dman228]
I’d like to see bicycle-specific navigation. That’s pretty much the only time I go to Google Maps.
It sounds like they need a rearchitecture in order to be more responsive to map changes/updates and getting the details right. If that’s what it takes, I’m all for it, because I think these are Apple Maps’ current Achilles heel.
I just sent this to Apple (not going to bother to fix the typos and other mistakes I’ve noticed since, that way leads to madness).
My point in sharing this is that it’s not just data, it’s also the rules that are broken.
Messages follow:
Hey guys! I mentioned in one of my tweets that Maps has an odd obsession with U turns but it’s taken a while for me to follow up. I think the fundamental problem is that Maps doesn’t take into account the laws regarding U turns in BC. The rule is “no” for any road with a painted centre line (of any kind), and “no” for any intersection involving traffic lights.
Maps’ preferred approach for malls is to drive past it and U turn at the next light. It does not understand left turn lanes into parking lots.
Most often, you just can’t do a U turn and it probably shouldn’t be suggested. “Turn around when possible” is a better directive, as it leaves the details of it up to the driver.
There’s a good article here with links to the relevant sections of BC’s Motor Vehicle Act: drivesmartbc.ca/turns/u-turns
I should note that there’s an exception to the traffic light rule if there’s a sign posted allowing U turns, but I’ve never actually seen this. I’m sure it does exist, but it’s certainly the exception not the rule.
Bottom line is that Maps gives a lot of bad/illegal advice, and I’m hoping one day soon you’ll fix that at the BC regional level.
If I read correctly, when Apple owns its own data, it can make its own corrections. That’s a lot harder with the current product, which sources maps from third parties.
I suppose they could have built a “corrections” system on top, but given they’re building a new dataset from scratch…
“The first step in solving a problem is recognizing there is one”
― Will Mcavoy