this post was submitted on 26 Sep 2024
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My dad uses Google Maps, and he mentioned that it seems to be getting worse. Like, giving him directions that are obviously worse than alternatives. Has anyone else here experienced this?

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[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yes. It's hard to make out the map with all the pinned ads sometimes, and I've had multiple times this year where it has taken me to the wrong place. Every time that happens, I boot up Organic Maps and get right to my destination.

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Lolwut? Didn't realise they were serving ads on maps too, that's hectic

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[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

I think it seems that way because it's trying to promote alternative routes. whether it's routing around slowdowns, taking a more fuel efficient route, or whatever.

however this could also be due to the user having different expectations for different trips and not changing the settings.

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I haven't had any issues with Google maps recently, occasionally it'll try to take me on a more "fuel efficient" route. Recently my wife used apple maps and it took us to the wrong location, it kept trying to take us to Washington township when the address we entered was in Washington heights.

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Fascinating, Iโ€™ve found better results with Apple Maps lately than Google Maps. Which blew my mind, because Apple Maps was a complete joke when it launched.

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

In our experience Google maps updates traffic conditions faster than apple maps. But Google maps tends to pick more routes that I wouldn't consider the most efficient, ex: getting off the highway sooner and taking back roads vs going up another exit closer to the destination. But like I said we have had a few times where apple maps has gotten confused with places with similar names.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

Here's some "high quality" (heh heh) anecdata for you: I navigated from my house in Somerville to a restaurant in the Seaport district of Boston last night, in the POURING rain using public transit and walking.

Google maps literally was leading me around in circles downtown once I got off the train, so I switched to Apple Maps and it was straight shooting from there on in.

I think GMaps is more susceptible to the tall buildings fouling the GPS. Not sure why?

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

In the last six months, yes. It suggests short cuts that can create long delays. Shorter by miles, but often worse in the end.

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Just go osm.org and help spread the word

[โ€“] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

Alternatively, download Organic Maps and contribute to OpenStreeMaps and help make the best alternative even better.

From their page:

  • Detailed offline maps with places that don't exist on other maps, thanks to OpenStreetMap
  • Cycling routes, hiking trails, and walking paths
  • Contour lines, elevation profiles, peaks, and slopes
  • Turn-by-turn walking, cycling, and car navigation with voice guidance and Android Auto
  • Fast offline search on the map
  • Export/import bookmarks in KML/KMZ, import GPX
  • Dark Mode to protect your eyes
  • Countries and regions don't take a lot of space
  • Free and open-source
[โ€“] RogueBanana 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I don't use gmap for navigation but to check locations. I had to get some cash so looked up atm and found few nearby. When I went there it was just apartments so looked up another one which turned out to just homes and small shops. Ended up getting off and asked someone working in the shop for directions and got everything I could have wanted.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

Absolutely. Not only does it show ads now, it's so busy that it's distracting and hard to keep track of your route.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (4 children)

Google has sent me through toll roads multiple times with avoid toll roads enabled.

I have a cheap iphone just for apple maps which hasn't fucked me over ... yet

[โ€“] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago

I am always an "avoid tolls" kind of person. I use Google maps a lot and have never had an issue with this.

But just the other week, I was coming back from a road trip and it kept trying to make me use a rolled expressway!! Wtf!! I even triple checked my settings. I don't understand wtf is up with that

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I've actually been having more trouble with Apple Maps lately.

My last trip was to perform at a country fair type thing and it couldn't locate the venue. So I thought maybe if I put on the satellite view, I could spot it and drop a pin? But the whole area was behind a cloud. Wow.

Then later, when we were returning, it tried to send me on a shortcut through a mall parking into an overgrown field.

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I've been getting weird walking instructions. Like 6 min walk is +30 to avoid some invisible barrier.

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[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

The search results are inconsistent and they started including advertising on the map but I haven't noticed a decline in route finding. Perhaps there were accidents or traffic jams being routed around?

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

It's been wonky lately. Maybe it's just drunk?

[โ€“] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

Yeah I feel like it's become bloated and slow tbh.

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