Apple, Google: Battle of the Cloud Maps

Nerval's Lobster writes "Google has sent invitations for a June 6 event in which it will apparently unveil 'The Next Dimension of Google Maps.' Meanwhile, rumor suggests Apple is preparing its own mapping service for iOS devices. The escalating battle over maps demonstrates the importance of cloud apps to tech companies' larger strategies." I only wish my phone would hold by default the X-million data points that my outmoded (but cheap and functional) dedicated GPS device does, without quite so much cloud-centric bottlenecking, and leave all expensive data use for optional overlays and current conditions.

Nokia

[Fnord666]

I only wish my phone would hold by default the X-million data points that my outmoded (but cheap and functional) dedicated GPS device does, without quite so much cloud-centric bottlenecking, and leave all expensive data use for optional overlays and current conditions.

You mean like any number of Nokia phones that support the free OVI Maps application?

Re:Google Maps Gripes

[afidel]

Err, what? The turn by turn directions will tell you what section are tolls and even allows you to avoid toll roads. This even works with google maps mobile. The two features I wish GMM had are cache along route (caching the tileset around a specific point is a start but it needs to be able to do it along an entire route). and route override (ie drag and drop route placement, sometimes I know a certain part of a route won't work and the only way to do this with GMM is to pre-plan the route on the PC and save it).

Re:Nokia

[JaredOfEuropa]

Or any of the non-free but still relatively cheap navigation apps for Android or iPhone, like TomTom or Navigon, to name a few?

Not all functionality has to be built-in

[perpenso]

I only wish my phone would hold by default the X-million data points that my outmoded (but cheap and functional) dedicated GPS device does, without quite so much cloud-centric bottlenecking, and leave all expensive data use for optional overlays and current conditions.

There is an app for that, seriously there are multiple apps for that. Decent maps built-in. More detailed ones, including topo, available via free download.

Not all functionality has to come from Apple, or whoever is doing the OS and built-in apps, some things can be left to third parties.

Re:Google Maps Gripes

[Excelsior]

Caching the route does work. At least it does on every Android phone I've owned. When you drive through parts of the southwest United States, you often travel for hundreds of miles with no cell coverage at all. Google Maps keeps chugging along, as long as I don't end navigation on my current route.

Re:The underlying map data is key

[Anonymous Coward]

Um, Nokia makes and owns all their maps. They bought Navteq years ago. Microsoft and Yahoo use Nokia maps as their backend.

Re:What expensive data use?

[Anonymous Coward]

As someone who almost daily uses Google Navigation on my phone and who has a 200MB data plan ... what expensive data use are we talking about?

In Europe, data plans are ridiculously expensive when crossing borders. You can be forced to pay in the range of $20 per MB data.
Roaming across borders is a common scenario when on holiday and it's also when you're away from home you have the greatest need for a GPS.

IN short, off-line caching of maps is critical for Europe.

ps. I love waze but can't use it when Roaming.