maps

Apple quietly improving its iOS maps data

Apple appears to be fixing its in-house maps software with new additions and corrections.

A week after the company pledged to improve the quality of the software, some locations are already showing signs of attention, notably corrections to points of interest and improvements in detail, including 3D representations.

Macrumors today points to some notable improvements and expansions in 3D data, including a 3D view of New York's Statue of Liberty, which appeared as a flat aerial shot in the initial public release and has since been given the 3D flyover treatment. Other changes appear in parts of the U.… Read more

Apple Maps stinks, iOS 6 leaks data: Should I get the iPhone 5?

With all the news of Apple Maps' deficiencies and data leaks on iOS 6 devices, is the new iPhone 5 even worth it?

That's the question I try to answer in this edition of Ask Maggie. Apple has pulled the Google Maps app from its latest software, leaving the new iPhone 5 and other iOS devices to use its Apple Maps product, which many complain is inferior to Google Maps.

Also, Apple has issued an update to Verizon iPhone 5 smartphones that fixes a glitch in its Wi-Fi software. Instead of connecting to known Wi-Fi sites, consumers were really … Read more

Microsoft rolls out Windows 8 app updates ahead of time

Getting ahead of the game, Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 8 built-in app updates. This is weeks before the October 26 official unveiling of Windows 8.

In a blog post today, the software giant listed all of the additions and updates that Windows 8 built-in apps will be getting. Skydrive, mail, messaging, photos, maps, news, travel, weather, and more will get new features and performance and reliability improvements.

Here's more from Microsoft's president of Windows Steven Sinofsky:

We're super excited to be approaching general availability (GA) of Windows 8 and Windows RT. With thousands of new … Read more

Eight fixes the iPhone 5 needs

Three weeks into using the iPhone 5, there's an awful lot I like: the screen, the weight, the speed, and even features like turn-by-turn navigation, which has become my lifeline while moving out to the suburbs with a car. It is, without a doubt, my favorite iPhone. However, there are aspects I'd like to see addressed: Maps is at the top of the list, obviously. But there are also some small features in iOS 6 that could stand to be improved. And, there are some nonsoftware issues as well.

"Better reception or Wi-Fi quality" isn't … Read more

Apple Byte: The iPad Mini is in mass production

In this week's episode, you can't escape all the news and rumors about Apple's anticipated iPad Mini. My own sources have confirmed the reports that it's in mass production. Plus, we're also seeing just as many product leaks with the iPad Mini that we saw from the iPhone 5.

Tim Cook said Apple was "doubling down on secrecy," but I haven't seen it yet. What do YOU think Apple has been doubling down on? Let us know in the poll.

Speaking of the iPhone 5, crying about Maps is getting old. Purplegate … Read more

Google Maps with Street View on iOS: What it can and can't do

Sad about your beloved iOS 5 Maps app getting nuked in favor of Apple's new Maps app? Do you miss Street View? Well, Google's come to the rescue to some extent, via its maps.google.com Web app, which launched Street View functionality today.

For iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad owners, using the Web-based version of Google Maps is as easy as visiting maps.google.com and then choosing to add an icon-shaped hot link directly to their home screen. So, what does it do? Well, besides having transit directions (already available on maps.google.com), the newly … Read more

TomTom Android app won't support Galaxy S3, Nexus 7 -- yet

TomTom today launched its flagship Navigation for Android application. But there's one problem: it won't work on some of the top Android devices today.

The new app, which is available in the Google Play store, includes full offline support and free use of the maps over its lifetime. According to TomTom, the program includes live traffic information and locations of speed cameras to help users avoid hefty fines. The application supports turn-by-turn guidance, of course, and calls out street names while providing lane guidance.

Given those features, some users might jump at the chance to try out the … Read more

Low Latency No. 39: Page-by-page directions

Low Latency is a weekly comic on CNET's Crave blog written by CNET editor and podcast host Jeff Bakalar and illustrated by Blake Stevenson. Be sure to check Crave every Thursday at 8 a.m. PT for new panels! Want more? Here's every Low Latency comic so far.

Street View lands on Google Maps Web app

Google has revved up its mobile Maps Web app through the addition of Street View.

As of today, users who launch Google's Maps site on their mobile device can see and navigate a Street View angle of different spots around the world.

Enabling Street View requires just a tap.

After launching the Maps app, enter the city, landmark, or other destination that you want to see. The site highlights the location and its surrounding area. Tap on the person icon that appears in the lower right corner. If the location is Street View-enabled, a separate tab opens in your … Read more

Few seem to heed Tim Cook's directions on mapping apps

For developers, getting noticed is more than half the battle.

At a time when the big operating systems have more than half a million apps available for sale, developers have an increasingly hard time breaking through. A whole industry has sprung up around "app discovery," offering developers ways to promote their work to an audience that likely wouldn't find them otherwise.

In such an environment, recommendations are essential. And it's hard to imagine a more valuable recommendation than a personal endorsement from the CEO of the world's most valuable technology company.

But less than a … Read more