Re:Petition Google for iOS Maps
by dave1010uk on Thursday September 20, 2012 @08:31AM
(#4548152)
While I'm not an iOS user, and you may be correct about average users, getting to a web app is simpler than installing and running an app:
App Web
1. Open app store Open browser
2. Search for google maps Search for google maps
3. Click first result Click first result
4. Install
5. Open app
They want easy access to their maps, but yet most lack even the knowledge to navigate to maps.google.com in safari and then the ability to make a link on their home screen.
The longer google waits to release a map, the larger the marketshare of people using apple maps grows because there is no "easier" option, and people don't care.
If people want google maps back, and the answer is as simple as installing something from the app store, that is a small hurdle for the general public, as it is a familiar action.
If they are told that if they want to use Google maps that they need to use Safari or create a web link on their desktop, most users will not bother.
It's sad, but it's true.