Google Maps has become significantly less usable of late | Hacker News Reader

Google Maps has become significantly less usable of late

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25 pointskevinslin29 comments

Check out the difference between Apple Maps and Google Maps when looking at an airport (O'Hare). https://imgur.com/a/BlvCImv Apple puts emphasis on security checkpoints and gate numbers, where Google puts emphasis on McDonalds and Starbucks

Maybe you need to zoom in more/try a different airport? When I try Google Maps on my local airport (one of the busiest in Europe), I can see the security checkpoints and the gate numbers just like what your Apple Maps screenshot is showing (and also a bunch of stores).

Edit: I just tried it with O'Hare as well. Seems you need to zoom in to about "20m" in the bottom right for the gate numbers, while the security zones are visible further away anyways.

Yes, maybe try looking at a different airport when you need to find your gate at O'Hare.

What?

You said "Maybe you need to zoom in more/try a different airport?" - looking at a different airport to the one someone is trying to find their gate for doesn't seem like the best idea. Especially when they could just use a different maps app.

Honestly I prefer the google version. I know the airport has all the security checkpoints and gates I'll need, and I know I wont be able to avoid them. I don't know what food options are available.

You really need Maps to figure out where your gate is at the airport? Honestly?

It is extremely handy to have a map of airport gates. Airports can be very big, and a gate you're transferring to can be a ~20 minute walk away from your arrival gate. Signage usually is sufficient to get you where you want to go, but seldom tells you how long it will take to get there.

I agree, but I think software (although with accessibility in mind, and on the forefront) should be designed for the majority of users with toggles for different use-cases eg a11y. I dont remember the last time I had to check how far away my gates were unless in another terminal, and when that case arises there are ways to look at distance, by being explicit on google maps. Most of the time I'm looking for the starbucks or bathroom or where I can grab a bite. -- I travel for work

In big airports, such as FRA, it can take 50 minutes to walk to the gate (if you’re lucky enough to have your gate in terminal 1). Checking the map is useful to see the estimated walking time and to get an overview of the route if you’re not already familiar with the airport.

However seeing the locations of the nearest fast food restaurants on the map is superfluous: they’re everywhere. My gate however is only in one location.

I guess my point is that you can _still_ do that. It's not this OR that, it can be this and that.

You can still put your gate in google and it will give you walking directions.

I think OP’s point was that Google Maps prioritizes profitable POIs over useful POIs. Profit over UX. Whereas Apple Maps seems to do the opposite in this case. If I’d have to choose between seeing ads by default or the content that I actually need right now, I would pick the latter. You different?

I guess, I am, very much so. I've never picked up my phone to look at where my gate is, there are usually very big signs showing which way it is. I travel for work.

- UX focuses on having a deep understanding of users, what they need.

I would wager that more people look at their phone to find food, than to find their gate.

> I travel for work.

That seems important, since most people don't travel for work and only fly once per year or less. They might appreciate the extra confirmation they're going the right way.

I'd rather have the Apple map in this case. But of course, I'll stick to OSM!

As someone else pointed out, there are interchangeable shops and bathrooms everywhere. I have never felt any need to ask my phone where one is in an airport.

But the gate is singular, and time critical.

For people with mobility challenges, or those with communication challenges, being able to look at a map of the airport and plan in advance is useful.

https://imgur.com/a/XpdiWer

If i know which gate I'm going to, this is what I would do. Google for my gate

To each their own then?

The new look on mobile is radically better for me. Street names are visible and legible! Whatever the regression in usability is, I've been too busy enjoying being able to read street names when I'm trying to navigate or quickly orient myself.

Same for me! The update has been a massive QoL improvement for me on iOS - and especially using CarPlay. This feels like the first time I’ve seen Google improve a product in what feels like a decade.

I'm a little confused, what is the usability issue?

there isnt one

Whats the issue ? Its information dense because he has every option turned on. Turn off traffic overlay and you'd get a single blue line of the directions.

One thing that I've noticed recently is a whole lot of merchants show up on the map, where they really aren't. Like it's the home address of an online seller or something?

I use Google maps mostly for biking/walking and a Garmin my car so I haven't noticed the change as much.

What's different from the way it was before?

I’m pissed off at modern Google Maps as the next guy, but what is the problem in the screenshot? Flagged for low effort post.

It's not just you. Most of the visible changes Google has made to its interfaces in the past few years have been horrific regressions. maps.google.com and google.com/maps got squished into each other and features are disappearing along the way.

I really need to get out of my Gmail account but I've got enough going on in my life to even begin to contemplate the struggle of deGoogling right now.

I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a good headline about Google.

what is this?

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