When Apple ousted Google Maps from all iOS devices back in 2012, people thought it wasn’t such a big deal until the replacement for it turned out to be a complete fiasco. The entire software had a huge number of bugs apart from innumerable glitches in the system. Although it had some good artistic forms in it, Police warned users that Apple maps were so bad, it might kill them.
However, since then, Apple seems to have made a lot of improvements and the maps have developed drastically. Some people still consider it to be a bad option because of the foul experience in the past. Many others now consider it to be a worthy replacement for Google Maps on their iOS devices and operating systems. There are plenty of sources through which you can compare the effectiveness of both these systems.
An in-depth comparison should properly sort it out. A Medium blog called ‘Design Explosions’ was created by a Seattle, Washington-based design school known as UX Launchpad. Recently, it posted a comprehensive review between Apple and Google Maps. The authors made it clear that they have not made a simple feature comparison. Instead, they have focused on a comparison between the user interface and user experiences from Apple Maps and that of Google Maps.
The blog makes for a fascinating read and covers every conceivable aspect of the designs that have been featured in these two immensely popular apps. You’ll start to see things from a completely different perspective and understand how apparently insignificant details can have a major impact on your user experiences with apps.
It is, however, not a small read at all. The blog is huge at 10,000 words but if you are truly interested in knowing the designs and how it affects the user experience, UX Launchpad’s in-depth analysis is surely worth checking out.
Presently, Google Maps have incorporated Train Time-Tables for quite some time now. However, it has been never been accounted due to intermittent cancelations and delays that plague UK networks. You would end up selecting what is the fastest route only to later find yourself in the platform wishing you had called a taxi instead.
Well, if you are a Google Maps user, this won’t be much of a problem in the near future since the company has added real-time National Rail Data to its travel app. When a signal failure is disrupting you line, the app will reflect it automatically and provide you with some alternative directions.
Furthermore, swiping around the map and tapping on any UK Railway station will help you review the next departures. It is extremely helpful if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and need some valid directions.