By all news report , Apple Maps was a blasted disaster when it debuted in 2012 . It was like a bungled clone of Google Maps , complete with a laundry list of chromosomal abnormalities – incorrect directions , no public transit part , and rampant bugs and errors . It imbibe so much , key employeeswere firedand Tim Cook evenpublicly apologise .
I count myself among the absolute majority of iPhone owners who not only did n’t use it , but vehemently keep off it . The interface was so ugly , it made me love Google Maps even more than I had before it existed . But I reluctantly gift it a second pellet when Apple bring out the revamp interlingual rendition of Maps foriOS 9 . To my amazement , not only did it not completely suck , but it wasgood . Like , sound - than - Google Maps goodness . I got informal with the fresh look and the handful of lineament that best Google at its own game , and slowly but sure as shooting , it became my go - to sailing app .
Here are a few reasons you might find yourself a convert , too .
Cole Saladino/Thrillist
The public transportation directions are infinitely better than Google Maps
For me , the most crucial element of the new Apple Maps is its mass - transit integration . If you require the best route from pointedness A to peak B , it not only provide multiple power train , subway , or motorbus option – but goes above and beyond to give you super - specific walk direction to the above - earth subway entrance and secret way out , so you ’ll know which underpass car to get on to make for the quickest trip potential . Pro tip : screenshot your transit inside information in grammatical case you require to regain them underground .
You can actually trust Siri to guide you now
There ’s a reason so few of us ask Siri for direction . It ’s because as Apple ’s preferred little AI , she ’s designed to only route you using Apple Maps , and for so long that mean she was probably going to give you bad intel . Not any longer , though ! Take full advantage of her . Talking > typing .
The search feature is faster and more specific than Google
There ’s no need to be " that bozo " holding up sidewalk traffic with his heading in his phone search for a nearby chocolate shop class . That ’s because any prison term you click the search cake , a helpful menu of nearby points of interest pops up , cull into categories like Food , Drinks , Shopping , Travel , and Fun . Tap one and you get a inclination of the most pop position within walk distance – but you’re able to then filter even further ( i.e. , type of eatery , type of store , etc . ) Google Maps offers a vaguely similar feature of speech , but Apple ’s interpretation is much easier on the eye , and will get you where you want to go quicker .
Get turn-by-turn navigation on your iPhone’s lock screen
tap in your passcode every metre you need to verify if you ’re aim the right elbow room is not only vexatious , it ’s dangerous as hell . Unlike Google , Apple Maps gives you the play - by - play ( and allows you to manually fine-tune your path ) without fumbling to get approach to your phone .
Get a Superman-esque tour of your city
Even back when Apple Maps sucked , it still offered some genuinely coolheaded and unique feature film , most notably a 3D orbiter view of your surroundings that felt like you were navigating through a video recording game . The novel - and - meliorate variant build up upon this , and now many of its maps not only offer several three-D viewing pick , but you may also sit back and enjoy 3D Flyover tours of most major cities . These mesmerizing , synergistic , hi - def ethereal scenes are essentially virtual chopper tours , easy jetting you around to illustrious attractions , while you zoom in and out at will .
Send directions straight from your computer to your phone
If you ’re headed to dinner or some other upshot from the office , it ’s easy to look up the destination on your computer at your desk and simply transmit it to your phone . Thanks to the Handoff feature , you may save a few seconds and dispense with yourself the trouble of peck at in an address twice .
Get up-to-the-minute train arrival times
Unless you ’re peculiarly charmed by elephantine rats and garbage , there ’s absolutely no reason to wait underground for your subway for more than a few minutes . Mercifully , Apple Maps keep tabs on train agenda , and lets you roll in the hay exactly when to lead underground . just tap a particular place on the map itself or expect it up in the search bar , and it ’ll give you the comer time for the next three trains on any render line that crosses through that place .
Apple improved its data so you can avoid traffic jams and find faster routes
Much like Google ’s crew - sourced live dealings data helps to re - route you forth from particularly congested surface area , Apple Maps has integrated similar capabilities to ( hopefully ) keep you from flying into a maniacal road rage .
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Joe McGauleyis a senior writer for Thrillist . He has n’t deleted Google Maps … yet .
Screenshot via Apple Maps/Shutterstock
Screenshot via Apple Maps/Shutterstock
Screenshot via Apple Maps/Shutterstock
Screenshot via Apple Maps/Shutterstock
