Apple Mapsgate - a Perfect Example of an MVP

dicebag.com

2 points·avb··4 comments

There's nothing remotely MVP about Apple Maps. If it was an MVP, it would at least get the basics right - that would be the MINIMUM aspect of MVP - instead of shipping a clearly subpar software that tarnishes the Apple brand. Also, I'm pretty sure that Apple doesn't do MVPs at all; their design philosophy differs too much and they can actually afford messing up royally considering the size of their war chest.

"As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps."

There's the MVP for Apple Maps. Doesn't mean it's the must useful for everyone, but it's the feature-set that Apple set it's sights on with the new Maps app.

I do think it was stupid to punt on business listings and use Yelp, but I haven't heard of any better options.

Actually the Yelp move is very, very smart but a little premature.

Yelp is building relationships around the world with the key "business listings" companies in each country. For example in Australia they have a relationship with Yellow Pages. The problem is that Yelp isn't in every country but they will be now that they are flush with cash.

So Apple can leverage the work they are doing rather than duplicate efforts.

Except that Apple Maps DOES get the basics right.

The app itself is great. It is smoother, faster and technically better than the previous Google Maps implementation. The problem is that the data is about 50% accurate.

It is exactly what an MVP is supposed to be.

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