When it launched, Apple Maps was critiqued for a number of errors with regard to accuracy (Image: Getty • Apple • Google)
Google Maps launched back in 2005 and the American tech giant has continued to improve the service by introducing smartphone applications for both iOS and Android to make it more accessible.
Moreover, in addition to refining the core functionally of the software, Google has also introduced revolutionary features to Maps such as Street View that demonstrate the firm’s sheer software prowess.
But with the launch of iOS 6 back in 2012, Apple launched its own mapping client that aimed to challenge Google’s dominance.
Since its debut, the Cupertino-based tech behemoth has also been consistent in providing users with increased functionality.
Now, in 2019, here is how both applications compare side-by-side.
Accuracy
When it launched, Apple Maps was critiqued for a number of errors with regard to accuracy.
Some locations would be said to be in the wrong place while others were absent entirely.
However, over six years later the American tech giant has vastly improved the service, to the point where it can be used as a credible alternative to Google Maps.
Back in June Apple was reported to be rebuilding its mapping data, using information the firm had garnered itself, to make the software more accurate and detailed.
At the time, Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President, told TechCrunch: “We wanted to take this to the next level.
“We have been working on trying to create what we hope is going to be the best map app in the world, taking it to the next step.
“That is building all of our own map data from the ground up.”
A location displayed on the old version of Apple Maps (Image: Justin O’Beirne)
A location displayed on the new version of Apple Maps (Image: Justin O’Beirne)
Months later, Justin O’Beirne, a digital cartography blogger, compared Apple Maps data from areas in California, where the Cupertino-based company had been gathering its own data, with Google’s offering.
O’Beirne emphasised Apple Maps had greatly improved detail and not only matched, but surpassed Google Maps in some areas.
Vegetation on Apple’s offering was shown to be incredibly detailed, more so than Google Maps in a number of circumstances.
Discussing the changes, O’Beirne said: “Perhaps the biggest surprise about Apple’s new map is how small it is.
“Four years in the making, it covers just 3.1 percent of the US’s land area and 4.9 percent of its population.
“But don’t let its size fool you—it’s a dramatically different map from before, with a staggering amount of vegetation detail.
A location displayed in Google Maps (Image: Justin O’Beirne)
A location displayed in the new version of Apple Maps (Image: Justin O’Beirne)
“But Apple hasn’t just mapped the wilderness. Cities are also noticeably more green, like San Jose.”
While the new iteration of Apple Maps was certainly not perfect, with some buildings being taller and smaller than they should have been, it represented a great leap forward for the app.
The biggest caveat to Apple Maps at the moment is that Apple has only been gathering its own data in California so far, as noted by O’Beirne.
So while its software has greatly improved, the majority of the world is still unable to take advantage of the app’s greater detail and accuracy.
However, Apple is continuing to gather more data to improve Maps, it just appears the firm is set to take its time to garner data in other regions.
Google Maps is renowned for providing accurate and informative data and is certainly the more accurate of the two apps from a broader standpoint.
Google Maps is renowned for providing accurate and informative data (Image: Getty)
Unique features
Google Maps’ headline feature has long been its Street View mode that grants users an immersive look into specific areas.
What’s more, Street View has also improved consistently with Google adding building interiors, providing fans with even more functionally and detail.
One of the most notable new features to come to Google Maps in recent months was a new commute tab that provides intricate detail for public transport.
Live traffic and transit information is fed directly to the user with Android fans in particular able to set alerts for delays and disruptions.
Moreover, at the time Google also added a new feature that allowed users to see exactly where certain types of public transport were.
That means in the current version of the app, users that walk to a station are able to see the exact location of a train that is updated in real-time.
Discussing the change, Google said: “Sprinting to the subway station only to find that your train is delayed is our least favourite way to start the day. Now, transit riders in 80 regions worldwide will be able to see exactly where their bus or train is in real time on the map.
One of the most notable new features to come to Google Maps has been a new commute tab (Image: Google)
“This will help you plan your day more efficiently—you’ll know if you can spend an extra few minutes grabbing coffee, or if you really do need to make a run for it to catch your bus.”
Google Maps also has a variety of other handy tricks such as the ability to see car charging stations, employ the firm’s Assistant within the app and send local businesses messages.
Meanwhile, Apple Maps has a few neat tricks of its own with the highlight being city tours that provide the user with a 3D map of a city and showcases the major landmarks.
This feature in particular is dynamic, meaning if the user looks at the London Eye for instance, they will see it rate.
Moreover, Apple Maps seamlessly feeds travel information into event notification on iOS.
That means if your calendar says you have an event, the estimated time it will take to get there will be displayed immediately.
Apple Maps also does a great job of colour coding different types of location.
Plus, the app also makes it easy to find notable landmarks thanks to relevant illustrations.
Apple Maps offers a unique mode dubbed ‘flyover’ that highlights major landmarks on a 3D plane (Image: Apple)
Platforms
It is worth noting that, although the service has continued to grow, Apple Maps remains most accessible Apple hardware, meaning those with iPhones and Mac computers can take advantage of it the easiest.
In comparison, Google Maps is available on desktop computers in addition to Android and iOS smartphones and can be easily employed.
Its increased availability means Google Maps is more likely to be used by those looking for directions overall.
Apple launched its own mapping client with the launch of iOS 6 back in 2012 (Image: Apple)
Security
Apple has repeatedly emphasised users do not need to sign in to use its Maps client.
Moreover, it has also previously declared data collected is not tied to specific Apple ID’s.
Discussing the security benefits of Apple Maps, the American tech giant said: “You don’t have to sign in to use Maps. Personalised features, like letting you know when it’s time to leave for your next appointment, are created using data on your device.
“The data that Maps collects while you use the app — like search terms, navigation routing and traffic information — is associated with random identifiers so it can’t be tied to your Apple ID. These identifiers reset themselves as you use the app to ensure the best possible experience and to improve Maps.
“Maps extensions that are used in ride-booking and reservation apps run in their own sandboxes and share permissions with their own parent apps. For ride-booking apps, Maps shares only your starting point and destination with the extension.
“And when you reserve a table at a restaurant, the extension knows only the point of interest you tapped.”
In contrast, last year it was reported many Google applications, including Maps, continued to track user locations even when such a feature was turned off.
Apple Maps is most accessible on Apple hardware (Image: Apple)
The Associated Press (AP) conducted an investigation into the data collected by Google services, of which the results were confirmed by Princeton computer science researchers “on multiple Android devices”.
The outlet insisted while the American tech giant does allow users to “pause” a toggle dubbed “location history”, it was still discovered certain location data was being stored anyway.
In response to the AP report, Jonathan Mayer, a Princeton computer scientist, said: “If you’re going to allow users to turn off something called ‘location history’, then all the places where you maintain location history should be turned off.
“That seems like a pretty straightforward position to have.”
Google also commented on the article and stated it provides “clear descriptions” of the controls on offer.
A spokesperson for the American tech firm said: “There are a number of different ways that Google may use location to improve people’s experience, including: Location History, Web and App Activity, and through device-level Location Services.
Google Maps allows users to see electric car charging stations (Image: Google)
“We provide clear descriptions of these tools, and robust controls so people can turn them on or off, and delete their histories at any time.”
It is worth noting when a user disables location history, Google says “some location data may be saved as part of your activity on other Google services, like Search and Maps”.
However, in order to disable such functionality entirely, users should turn off a different option called “Web & App Activity”.
On Android, this can be done by going to settings > Google > Google Account > data & personalisation > web & app activity.
The web & app activity button should then be switched off.
For those using Google Maps on iOS devices and desktops, you should head to your Google account and go to the “activity controls” page.
From there you ensure the web & app activity is turned off.
Verdict
Despite Apple Maps’ six year challenge against Google Maps, the latter still remains dominant and continues to add fresh, innovative features for user to enjoy.
Moreover, the software’s increased availability means all Android and Windows desktop users do not have the option to use Apple’s offering.
But while Google Maps certainly has the advantage when it comes to accuracy and features, the huge strides Apple has made with its software by gathering its own data is still worth mentioning.
The images of the software being used in California demonstrate the sheer amount of detail Apple is planning to deliver across the board.
The only downside of Apple’s approach is that it will surely take time to provide similar levels of intricacy across the entirety of its Maps service.
So while Google Maps still remains the best application to use for getting around, Express.co.uk is extremely interested to see how the fierce rivalry between the two develops as Apple continues its determined push to improve its offering in the coming years.