Navigation Articles on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Hands-on review of Nokia Here maps app

by Mel Martin (Nov 20th, 2012)

Nokia released HERE Maps for iOS this morning, and in baseball parlance I would call it a swing and a miss. People are eager for a viable alternative to the much maligned Apple Maps app, but HERE Maps is no holy grail. Nokia is not new to the mapping business. They own NAVTEQ, which powers a ...

Nokia's mapping app Here now available in iOS App Store

by Kelly Hodgkins (Nov 20th, 2012)

Last week, Nokia announced that it was bringing a mapping solution to iOS and now that app is available in the iOS App Store. Nokia Here is a free, universal app that's powered by Nokia's NAVTEQ mapping data. It includes a garden variety of views like map view, live traffic view, public ...

Some Google sources think there will never be a Google Maps app for iOS

by Mel Martin (Nov 5th, 2012)

Doubts have surfaced about the possibility of a dedicated Google Maps app on iOS. That wouldn't be good news for people struggling with Apple Maps on their iOS devices. In an article by our esteemed Michael Grothaus in the Guardian today, Michael quotes some Google sources as saying they are "not ...

iExit helps you find what's just off the freeway

by Mel Martin (Oct 18th, 2012)

iExit is a universal, US$0.99 app for iPhone and iPad designed to help you find what you need while on the US interstate system. There are plenty of apps with similar features, but there are a few things that put iExit above the norm. Mike Rose mentioned the app in his piece on summer road trip ...

Glympse for iOS gets a major update for easier location sharing

by Mel Martin (Oct 16th, 2012)

Glympse has been a favorite app for me since it came out a couple of years ago. Whenever I'm meeting someone, Glympse sends out my exact location and time of arrival to as many people as I want. Friends or associates can see my progress in the Glympse app if they have it, or on any browser ...

Localscope for iPhone adds integrated reminders and geotagging

by Mel Martin (Oct 15th, 2012)

I looked at Localscope (US$1.99) about a year ago, and liked what I saw. Now version 3, released today, has added bi-directional integration with iOS reminders and a feature that allows you to add geotagged reminders for any location you find in the app. Localscope can remind you with an alert if ...

Problems with Apple's Maps have helped third-party developers

by Mel Martin (Oct 7th, 2012)

I was wondering if the range of issues with iOS 6's Maps app caused a spike the sale of paid 3rd party navigation apps. The answer appears to be yes. I talked with Johan-Till Broer, who represents Garmin and its subsidiary Navigon, to see if the brouhaha over Maps -- which, with its new ...

How to report problems with Apple Maps

by Kelly Hodgkins (Oct 4th, 2012)

When it launched last month, Apple's iOS 6 Maps was widely criticized in the press for its lack of street-level details and sometimes laughable inaccuracies. Instead of listening to all the complaining and finger pointing, iOS users should try to improve Maps by reporting any problems they ...

Apple retail employees encouraged to report Maps issues

by Michael Rose (Oct 3rd, 2012)

With many thousands of staffers in the US alone, Apple's retail team has numbers on its side. It also has geographic diversity, with stores in 45 of the 50 states. Lots of people in lots of places who presumably carry lots of iOS devices -- just what you need if, perchance, you're looking to ...

Consumer Reports compares Apple Maps, Google Android navigation

by Kelly Hodgkins (Oct 2nd, 2012)

Consumer Reports took a close look at Apple's Maps application and compared it to Google Maps on Android 4.0.4. The reviewers used both mapping solutions to navigate from point A to point B in the greater NYC area. Despite all the negative press on Apple's Maps, Consumer Reports had some good ...

Tim Cook apologizes to iOS 6 Maps users

by Michael Rose (Sep 28th, 2012)

The "letter from the CEO" tradition at Apple has continued into the Tim Cook era, as Apple's chief executive has released a letter to customers regarding the ongoing iOS 6 Maps issues. While the challenges and shortcomings of Maps have been obvious to most (with a few notable exceptions), ...

One not-so-secret reason Apple built its own Maps for iOS 6

by Michael Rose (Sep 23rd, 2012)

In the uproar over iOS 6's move to Apple's homegrown Maps service, the driving theme is user frustration (not to say outright anger). Even the most ardent apologists have to acknowledge that Maps has serious issues, and the company's critics are having a field day. Some of the challenges may be ...

Alternatives to iOS 6's Maps app for navigation and search

by Mel Martin (Sep 21st, 2012)

OK, we know Apple's Maps app in iOS 6 hasn't been a favorite feature for many people (allow me a bit of sarcasm). Yes, it adds realtime voice navigation, keeps walking directions and links to transit apps -- but it's still painful in many spots. You still, however, must travel from point A to ...

Navigon updates iOS apps with links to Apple Maps

by Mel Martin (Sep 20th, 2012)

Navigon has quickly updated its apps to mesh with iOS 6 and the new iPhone. The apps have added public transportation features, Apple Maps integration and support for the new 4-inch screen on the iPhone 5. The apps already support Google Street View and searching with the Google POI ...