Apple Maps iOS 6 Sees A Different India From Google Maps

If it ain’t broken don’t fix it. Apparently iPhone and iPad maker Apple, did not get this memo. The recent launch of Apple iOS 6 replaced the tried and true Google Maps app (standard for all iOS devices) with the release of a new Apple Maps app. Early adopters were not only surprised by the move given Google’s flawless map app performance, they were also quick to point out there were some bugs with the all new app…a lot of bugs.

Euphoria over the new iPhone 5 has turned into frustration as users struggle to find their way using Apple Maps. And India is not immune. A quick search through the country’s largest cities found errors as simple as missing roads to non-existent rivers. In other cases, famous monuments could not be found. Apple has responded to widespread complaints via a press release stating, among other things, “Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get.”

See for yourself. Here are 7 Apple Maps bloopers in India.  (Apple Maps on the left, Google Maps for the same location on the right)

1. Kolkata flooded by Hooghley River

Apple Maps apparently caught Kolkata after the worst flooding in West Bengal’s history because the famed river now flows directly through the city.

2. Delhi and the rest of India stricken by drought

While Apple Maps shows Kolkata under water, Delhi appears to have lost the famous Yamuna River which once cut it into two. Keep searching and you’ll find Kochi, Haridwar, Varanasi and Agra have all lost any sight of water.

Kochi

Agra

Varanasi

Haridwar

3. Lost in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

There aren’t many roads to be found on the remote islands of Andaman & Nicobar. A sole highway runs from Port Blair in the South Andaman area of Smith Island to Mayabunder, located in North Andaman. According to Google Maps the road breaks off into a tiny road which eventually dead ends near the northern tip of the island. Apple Maps, however, has you believe nothing exists much beyond Port Blair.

4. You meant Doughnut Palace Right?

“Siri, tell me where the Lake Palace of India is located.”

“I’ve located Doughtnut Palace located at 1295 Highway, Forest Mississippi. Would you like me to place an order for take-away?”

“Uh, no.”

5. I thought there would be more to see

Popular tourist destinations like Jaisalmer of Puducherry are a fraction of their actual size with Apple Maps.

Puducherry

6. They shifted the island

Apple Maps must think the tiny islands of Lakshadweep look better facing North rather than East.

7. No results shown, unless you’re right there

Rameshwaram Temple, the holiest of all South India temples, can’t be located using Apple Maps. Neither can Sri Meenakshi Temple. Wait wait, nevermind, Apple Maps sees them once you position the map to where it should be.

Sri Meenakshi

Have you found irregularities with Apple Maps in India? Send them to Full Stop India on Facebook.

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