Should Apple create its own online map service?

Maps are still indispensable no matter what. That’s why having a handy touch screen phone with full featured maps makes traveling easier. Imagine carrying a device that can guide you anywhere you go. Not just that, the maps also provide info about the best places to eat or shop anywhere you are.

When we speak of maps nowadays, what comes to mind first is Google. Google Maps has become an indispensable tool in navigation, other than those who use GPS. Maps has been redefined with the development of Google Street View.

How about the others?

Apple Maps

Apple recently announced that they are planning to develop their own maps and will be released as an app in their iOS 6. Basically, this will be in direct competition with Google Maps, the biggest in all of the mobile mapping applications.

Some sources point out to the 3D feature of the Apple’s map as its biggest edge over Google’s current offerings. According to techland.com, the map is just one of the many features included in Apple’s new operating system.

According to searchengineland.com, this new app from Apple includes maps with local search, crowd-sourced local traffic, navigation directions (including turn by turn guide), and 3D mapping that includes flyover animation. And it will be integrated with a new version of Siri. Just imagine that.

Beyond Google Maps

Apparently, there is a need for map applications. The world-going-mobile-scenario goes together with the world-needs-more-accurate-maps-trend. Web mapping is becoming more indispensable as more people use mobile phones. Maps remain the same but the trick is on how they are presented – just like Street View.

There are actually a lot of applications and companies that offer online maps. It is important to note that it’s not all about Google Maps, we also have maps from Yahoo, Microsoft (Bing), and others. Furthermore, there are many country-specific mapping services.

The figures regarding mapping-related services drastically jumped since 2009 (by 243% this 2012), and up by 73% from last year. According to ProgrammableWeb, there are currently 240 mapping-related services where people create maps, process mapping data, and simply access maps.

With the influx of mobile devices and web access anywhere, it is expected that more and more people will access maps in their devices. So how often do we access maps in our phones or tablets? And in the case of Apple, why do they need to create their own maps?

Map Checking

According to the data from mobithinking.com, the most common activity by the Americans in their mobile phones is checking maps. The trend really never changed since 2010, wherein majority of Americans used their phones to access maps and to get directions. In the early part of 2011, the same trend is consistent.

In May of 2011, more than 48 million accessed maps through their phones (although there was a decline of 2 percent compared to the previous year). Most of them (88.9 %) also visit mapping sites while in their vehicles.

One of the reasons why Apple should start their own mapping system is that more iPhone users actually access Google Maps than Android users. According to the latest report from comScore.com, in EU5 (France, Germany, UK, Spain, and Italy), iPhone users are the ones who access maps the most in their mobile devices (53.4%). Android phone users only ranked 2nd (39.8 %), and followed by Microsoft phone users (34.5%).

Apple Offers Something New?

The biggest selling point: interactive 3D rendition of maps!

That’s it. It will still be the same old map. Google is also catching up with the 3D map craze by dispatching their own planes to gather information that will be used to generate 3D images.

Practically speaking, accessing maps not just provide the users with directions but also provide the map-maker with the data regarding consumer behavior, which is very important for advertising. This is why Google invests a lot in making their maps better. Because Apple users access the maps more compared to Android users, this is an area that Apple ought to control.

But let’s see what happens after the iOS 6 software is released.

Closing Thoughts

So what’s with all the hype with Apple having their own map application?

In my own opinion, it’s the execution that makes the difference when it comes to Apple products. They usually offer services that are not so unique or have been in the market for quite some time. But they sell it well, sometimes beyond expectations. It really has something to do with a feature or product being branded as Apple.

Now that Google will have a new competitor in its mapping service, maybe they’ll do something to again re-define mapping. Let’s wait and see.

Ric is a blogger who loves to explore and write about different topics. Find more of his posts at Divorce Jupiter and Divorce Delray Beach.