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Geocentric App Developers Compare Apple's MapKit and Google Maps SDK
FastCompany has released a detailed comparison of Apple's MapKit and Google Maps SDK after interviewing the developers behind two popular geocentric apps.
Lee Armstrong (Plane Finder) and Bryce McKinley (Tube Tamer), who are experienced with both mapping platforms, criticized Apple for focusing on flashy features over base functionality, but lauded the company for MapKit's performance, low cost, and overlay features.
Both developers noted that Google had superior location finding services, satellite imagery, and 3D support, pointing out that Apple's satellite imagery was often blurry, dark, and lacking in contrast.
Because of its ease of use and the included features, McKinlay has stuck with MapKit for Tube Tamer, but plans to switch over to Google Maps SDK when it has fewer limitations. Armstrong uses a dual mapping system, integrating both Google and Apple Maps into his Plane Finder app.
Both suggest that Apple's MapKit is the superior choice for beginning developers. The full in-depth comparison of Google Maps SDK and Apple's MapKit, which can be found here, is well worth reading.
Lee Armstrong (Plane Finder) and Bryce McKinley (Tube Tamer), who are experienced with both mapping platforms, criticized Apple for focusing on flashy features over base functionality, but lauded the company for MapKit's performance, low cost, and overlay features.
Both developers noted that Google had superior location finding services, satellite imagery, and 3D support, pointing out that Apple's satellite imagery was often blurry, dark, and lacking in contrast.
The other issue is the way roads are drawn in the 'Hybrid' view. The Google SDK and, in fact, the Apple Maps app draw semi-transparent roads so that the street layout is marked, but you can still see the images underneath. In MapKit, the roads are drawn opaque, which means it's often pretty difficult to see much of the imagery.
Google maps shown at left; MapKit at Center; Apple’s Maps app at right.
The two did not shy away from pointing out the flaws with the Google Maps SDK, which include a limited Places API quota, slower performance, and the inability to add gradient polylines and chart overlays."Subjectively, the current version of the [Google] SDK does not perform as well as MapKit," McKinlay says. "GMSMapView's frame rate is capped at 30fps, which is lower than typical for iOS and results in a slight but noticeable 'jitter' effect when panning and zooming the map.
"We can't do some of our more advanced features in Plane Finder like gradient polylines, chart overlays, or smooth moving planes with animations," Armstrong says. "We have some complex tiled overlays in Plane Finder: These are aviation charts that actual pilots use. With the Google Maps SDK these tiled overlays are just not possible right now."
Tiled overlays, which are not possible with Google Maps.
Because of its ease of use and the included features, McKinlay has stuck with MapKit for Tube Tamer, but plans to switch over to Google Maps SDK when it has fewer limitations. Armstrong uses a dual mapping system, integrating both Google and Apple Maps into his Plane Finder app.
Both suggest that Apple's MapKit is the superior choice for beginning developers. The full in-depth comparison of Google Maps SDK and Apple's MapKit, which can be found here, is well worth reading.
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84 months ago
Might be a good idea to start the article by explaining quickly what MapKit is, and how it differs from Apple Maps.
From what I understand, it's an API that iOS developers can use to integrate mapping in their apps, but the comparison seems to imply Apple Maps doesn't use MapKit. Might be a good idea to elaborate on that part, as it might not be obvious for non-developers.
From what I understand, it's an API that iOS developers can use to integrate mapping in their apps, but the comparison seems to imply Apple Maps doesn't use MapKit. Might be a good idea to elaborate on that part, as it might not be obvious for non-developers.
84 months ago
Nope, and now don't I feel like a fool. :o
Sorry dude. **** day at work and just looking for an argument. :D
I think that's the first time I've ever seen someone admit that on the Internet. Good for you man. Maybe the MR forums aren't so bad after all.
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I like well-balanced articles like this one, especially ones that have a developer's perspective. I think that these types of developer-based articles give better insight to Apple's goals and the direction they are heading than "analyst numbers" and "supply chain" charts.
84 months ago
Did you actually read the article?
Nope, and now don't I feel like a fool. :o
Sorry dude. **** day at work and just looking for an argument. :D
84 months ago
And yet you putting it in quotation marks implies that somebody other than you said that. :rolleyes:
Did you actually read the article?
84 months ago
What is being cancelled is not JUST Reader as an app; what is being cancelled is the Reader API and the Reader service, as used by a large number of 3rd party apps.
To be fair it was an unofficial API which was scraped/backwards-engineered by third party developers. Google didn't explicitly offer it up for use.
84 months ago
So are they implying that Google maps LACKS "longevity" since they listed that on Apple's side.
Really? How is that a checkmark for Apple? Sounds like they needed more in that column to balance it out. I would say both companies have longevity.
He might be referring to the stability of the API. Google has a history of changing things up.
84 months ago
Hmm. You might not want to make a big deal about Google's "longevity" the same week they canned Reader...
Apple, obviously, has repeatedly deprecated APIs, and hardware, but they have generally done so for obvious reasons, and with plenty of warning.
With Google, on the other hand, no-one knows why they kill what they kill, and the pattern so far has not been much prior warning.
You're going to compare reader and Google Maps. Yeah. OK.
84 months ago
You're going to compare reader and Google Maps. Yeah. OK.
What is being cancelled is not JUST Reader as an app; what is being cancelled is the Reader API and the Reader service, as used by a large number of 3rd party apps.
So, uhh, what's your point again?
And claiming that Maps is so important to Google that it (or more precisely 3rd party use of its API) will NEVER be cancelled is just silly. You have NO IDEA the financial stresses Google will be subject to five years from now, or how and what they will cancel or modify so as to raise income.
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i hate the overlay.... if your trying to see the map....
Google looks like its better there.
The 3D is all well and good with its "wow" factor, to impress your friends, but you are not going to drive like this ....... you can't.
Unless your primary mode of transportation is a helicopter.
You're being exceptionally thoughtless if you believe the ONLY use for maps is driving instructions. I use maps in some form of overview mode (eg Google Earth or Flyover) for many purpose --- to get an overview of somewhere I'm going to visit, to understand some aspect of the construction or layout of the city I live in, to understand some history. Right now I have a friend who was planning to fly somewhere to check out development around some land she owned until she realized she could save money and time and learn what she needed to know by simply looking at the area in a 3D map view. Another friend was (true story) thinking of being involved with copper mining in a remote mountainous location and a 3D view of the area was extremely useful --- far more so than a flat satellite map.
84 months ago
3D & heading control
Google's API allows you control the heading, MapKit forces you orient the map North. Google's API also allows you to display a map using the 3D perspective, not so with MapKit.
Google's API allows you control the heading, MapKit forces you orient the map North. Google's API also allows you to display a map using the 3D perspective, not so with MapKit.
84 months ago
i hate the overlay.... if your trying to see the map....
Google looks like its better there.
The 3D is all well and good with its "wow" factor, to impress your friends, but you are not going to drive like this ....... you can't.
Unless your primary mode of transportation is a helicopter.
Google looks like its better there.
The 3D is all well and good with its "wow" factor, to impress your friends, but you are not going to drive like this ....... you can't.
Unless your primary mode of transportation is a helicopter.
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