# So the new Apple map app really is that bad **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2012, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075 "2012-10-08T09:01:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/21 "2012-10-09T16:10:16Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Santry or Blanch? 🙂 Blanch. Nice place, too. 4 out of 5 sparks. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/22 "2012-10-09T16:17:02Z")
This is why I never install any software updates without waiting a while. I’m keeping the old version on my iPad until this blows over. I hate that consumers often have no choice in this kind of situation. The companies complain that if you don’t update you’ll be susceptible to viruses or other security threats. Well I’d rather take my chances and have the computer work the way I want it to work. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/23 "2012-10-09T17:21:43Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > Blanch. > > Nice place, too. 4 out of 5 sparks. Oh. I’ll take note. I pass it on my way to work sometimes and I’ve noticed they have some good rates. Bit out of the way though? ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/24 "2012-10-09T17:54:09Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > Oh. I’ll take note. I pass it on my way to work sometimes and I’ve noticed they have some good rates. Bit out of the way though? I really liked it, though the afternoon traffic was horrid getting to it. ---
**Author:** ![Declan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/25 "2012-10-10T08:05:16Z")
> [@Mach Tuck](#): > > This is why I never install any software updates without waiting a while. I’m keeping the old version on my iPad until this blows over. > > I hate that consumers often have no choice in this kind of situation. The companies complain that if you don’t update you’ll be susceptible to viruses or other security threats. Well I’d rather take my chances and have the computer work the way I want it to work. Actually, I dont believe that IOS 6 is available for the ipad yet. I upgraded the iphone to IOS6, but when I went to upgrade the pad, itunes told me that I had the most up to date OS. Declan ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/26 "2012-10-10T09:44:48Z")
My map doesn’t even recognize the existence of the Yarkon River, which passes through Tel Aviv. Admittedly, it’s a very small river, but I’m pretty sure it’s still there. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/27 "2012-10-10T10:27:09Z")
> [@Declan](#): > > Actually, I dont believe that IOS 6 is available for the ipad yet. I upgraded the iphone to IOS6, but when I went to upgrade the pad, itunes told me that I had the most up to date OS. > > Declan It most certainly is. It’s not available for iPad 1, but 2 and 3 got the update on the same day as the iPhone. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/28 "2012-10-10T10:37:29Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > My map doesn’t even recognize the existence of the Yarkon River, which passes through Tel Aviv. Admittedly, it’s a very small river, but I’m pretty sure it’s still there. Would you expect a minor river to show up on a street map? It’s hardly vital for driving directions, unless you’re in a hovercraft. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/29 "2012-10-10T10:40:41Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > Would you expect a minor river to show up on a street map? It’s hardly vital for driving directions, unless you’re in a hovercraft. It’s pretty important if you’re getting around on foot, though, which is what I mostly use the map for. The whole walking-on-water thing was a different river. ---
**Author:** ![Szlater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Szlater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Szlater)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/30 "2012-10-10T11:10:02Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > My map doesn’t even recognize the existence of the Yarkon River, which passes through Tel Aviv. Admittedly, it’s a very small river, but I’m pretty sure it’s still there. Apple is using a variety of sources for its map data including openstreetmaps, have you checked whether the river appears on openstreetmaps? If not, you could always add it. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/31 "2012-10-10T11:34:50Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > It’s pretty important if you’re getting around on foot, though, which is what I mostly use the map for. The whole walking-on-water thing was a different river. But if you’re walking/hiking you want to be using a topographic map, not a street map. I don’t think complaining that rivers, hills, footpaths etc are missing from a street map is a valid criticism. Apple Maps suck enough at what they’re supposed to do, let alone baching them for not doing other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/32 "2012-10-10T11:40:10Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > But if you’re walking/hiking you want to be using a topographic map, not a street map. I don’t think complaining that rivers, hills, footpaths etc are missing from a street map is a valid criticism. Apple Maps suck enough at what they’re supposed to do, let alone baching them for not doing other stuff. Topographic maps don’t have street addresses, locations of restaurants, etc. So I certainly do want a street map for walking. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/33 "2012-10-10T11:54:34Z")
In general, web maps are terrible at river and stream labels. It really is a flaw in every site or app I’ve seen (including Google Maps). I understand it’s not a big priority for most people, but come on…even major rivers are rarely labeled. I know it’s not easy to apply dynamic (adjust to zooms and pans) labels to oddly-curved lines, but it’s not THAT hard – this is being done rather better lately with roads and highways, after all. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075/34 "2012-10-10T16:50:10Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > My map doesn’t even recognize the existence of the Yarkon River, which passes through Tel Aviv. Admittedly, it’s a very small river, but I’m pretty sure it’s still there. You sure? With the global warming it may have evaporated already … 😃 And I am very happy to have a droid, old school droid 1 with 3g. _My_ apps wont poof if I lose that magic 4g signal…that isn’t universal in the US by _any_ means yet. [and I have a collection of old school paper maps in my mom-van. I don’t plan to be lost wandering around lost in Deliverance country as zombie hillbilly-bait!] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-new-apple-map-app-really-is-that-bad/637075.md?page=1)