Keep in mind, guys, this is apples first attempt at a complete maps solution that isn't powered by anyone else like Google. There are going to be kinks, but give them time to work them out before we all start saying they dropped the ball.
-----Original Message----- From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Marc Rocheleau Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2012 6:21 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Re: Mark's iOS 6.0 Map App Walking Navigation Extended Results Report I read a post at iPhone In Canada that the new maps app is receiving widespan criticism from all sides. Many streets are missing, listed as being much further than they actually are and in many cases there are points of interest (such as restaurants or retail stores) that have been shut down for years being listed still. For as many things as apple gets right, it sounds like they really dropped the ball with this one. Here's a link to the post: http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/apple-software/apple-faces-criticism-over-omiss ions-errors-in-new-maps-poll/ Sounds like they're on the case though. Here's an article that was just posted about them working on these issues: http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-news/apple-states-maps-team-is-under-loc kdown-to-fix-issues/ -Marc On 9/20/12, Kawal Gucukoglu <kawa...@me.com> wrote: > I remember last year when Apple were talking about IOS six, they said > that they would not deal in making maps for visually people yet as for > now they were going to leave that to third parties. Thanks Mark for > your report. I think we just have to wait for a couple more years > before Apple do make something reverlutionary for people with all > disabilities. I'm sure that Apple are aware that people want > something like what we have on the Treker breeze. As a side note, I > have noticed a lot of people are selling the Breeze. I think that > people are waiting to get these maps to hope that they can use them in > the way that Mark wants to use them. They will be disappointed. Good things happen when one is patient. > > Kind regards, > > Kawal. > > P.s. Sorry for the spelling but it's late here and now my mind is > beginning not to write sense. > On 20 Sep 2012, at 23:35, M. Taylor <mk...@ucla.edu> wrote: > >> Hello Everyone, >> >> NOTE 1: >> I just returned from over 90 minutes of using the iOS 6.0 Maps App, >> via VoiceOver, on my iPhone 4 S. I am extremely tired and >> uncomfortable as today is a particularly hot day here in southern >> California. Normally, I would post my results after a rest but want >> to report while the experience is still fresh in my mind. So, if the >> following comes across as curt, please accept my apology; I just want >> to get the facts, as I experienced them, to you. >> >> NOTE 2: >> Before heading out the door, I made sure my iPHone reported 100% >> battery level. I turned my WiFi off and rebooted the phone for good measure. >> >> NOTE 3: >> During the entire experience, my phone reported that I had a 4G >> connection. >> This connection was never lost as I live in a part of town that, for >> better or worse, is replete with A T & T Wireless cell towers. >> >> NOTE 4: >> I only experimented with creating and using walking directions, not >> driving directions. >> >> NOTE 5: >> I did not use any Bluetooth connected accessories but, rather, only >> the included Apple headset that ships with the 4 S. >> >> NOTE 6: >> My initial positive test results, yesterday, were based on the fact >> that Siri correctly announced my approach to a street at the >> beginning of a short route. >> >> NOTE 7: >> While it is not my intention to draw comparisons between the iOS 6.0 >> Maps App and the Trekker Breeze, I will refer to the Breeze if for no >> other reason than to informs those who may not know, that such >> features exist in a GPS solution designed for the blind and low >> vision. >> >> Now that all that is out of the way let's get to it, shall we? >> >> 1. >> I live about a quarter of a mile from the nearest street that is mapped. >> As >> a result, when using my current location as the starting point, I >> could only create a route when standing in a certain position in my >> driveway. In order to consistently create a route, I had to walk up >> to the street that is mapped. While this is not a deal breaker, by >> any means, Trekker can provide off-map guidance. >> >> 2. >> My first experiment was to not create a route but, instead, set >> tracking to on plus headings and then just walk down the street. >> While Maps, as I will refer to it from this point forward, reported >> that I was approaching an intersection, it did not do so >> consistently. In fact, it inconsistently listed some streets while >> omitting others. I should also let you know that the accuracy of the >> street name announcements were dismal, at best. That is to say, as a >> low vision person, I could see the intersections and compare what I >> saw to when information was reported. It appeared to me that the >> longer I walked, the more inaccurate and/or sluggish Maps became. >> Please note that I conducted some experiments multiple times in order >> to discern any patterns. >> >> NOTE 8: >> Just in case you're wondering, there were no tall building, clouds, >> or any kind of obstructions blocking my view of the sky. >> >> NOTE 9: >> The compass, during all my experiments, was dead on. It was >> perfectly accurate and the most responsive. >> >> 3. >> Next, I created several walking routes. I deliberately chose >> destinations by which one may only travel in one direction. That is >> to say, all of the streets, along the route, dead-end into others. >> To my astonishment, Maps got them all wrong. In one test, the >> directions were reversed. For example instructing me to turn left >> when I could only turn right. In another experiment, it listed >> streets that were simply not there. >> >> 4. >> Whenever I attempted to view the list of directions, which by the way >> did not dynamically update, tracking would switch to off. This was >> maddening, to put it nicely. >> >> 5. >> When reporting my current location, compass headings notwithstanding, >> the only thing Maps consistently got right was the city. Sometimes >> it reported the correct street but not enough to trust, were I >> totally blind and in an unfamiliar environment. >> >> 6. >> Even though I have my screen brightness set to only 40%, at the end >> of the >> 90 minutes of walking, my battery level was 62%. >> >> In conclusion, based on what I experienced today, I would not >> recommend Maps as a GPS walking navigation solution for the blind and >> low vision on iPhone >> 4 S. It will be interesting to see how iPHone 5 does in comparison. >> >> I hope some of you find this report useful. As is always the case, >> your mileage may vary. >> >> Making a Joyful Noise, >> >> Mark >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" >> Google Group. >> To search the VIPhone public archive, visit >> http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. >> To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en. >> >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" > Google Group. > To search the VIPhone public archive, visit > http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. > To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en. > > > -- "There is no shame in being who you are. There's only shame in not going down swinging to protect it" -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. To search the VIPhone public archive, visit http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. To post to this group, send email to viphone@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en.
