Comments on: Come Join Us for ‘App Smack’ Later Today – Live

By: John Steele

John Steele — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:46:49 +0000

Interesting that neither of you have been able to see this first hand. I did some testing to verify my craziness. On 4 out of 5 searches it did not organize the list by what was closest to me; however, only on 1 search did it starting going over 60 miles away. I don't know if this is a regional issue or what. Its not a GPS issue because I wait for the blue dot to place me properly before I search. On the days of my Touch, I would have just switched to Live search (which had self-updating turn-by-turn directions). The Google Navigation program looks perfect BTW, I love the price and am fine only getting directions where I have service. TomTom has now dropped down to $50 though, and I may bite…

If I figure out a pattern I'll let you know. A while ago I asked some folks on a Tuaw discussion, and several said they saw the same thing… Thanks for the feedback!

By: patrickj

patrickj — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 00:56:48 +0000

In reply to John Steele.

Hi John – thanks for the kind words about the site! I haven't seen issues as severe as you have on Maps (it shows me results in my town, close byt etc) – but I do keep hearing that the whole Google and Apple no longer BFFs sort of vibe is beginning to adversely affect the quality of Google apps on iPhone in comparison to their apps on Android. Then again, can't see Apple playing any nicer if the roles were reversed. 🙂

By: joetomasone

joetomasone — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 16:25:53 +0000

Searches are working for me just fine. I tried several after reading your comment and could not find any problems.

By: John Steele

John Steele — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:53:32 +0000

What I'd really like to see, and for some reason, no one is taking on is the negative change to Maps app.

I bought the iPhone in part, knowing that when I wanted to look up a quick nearby business I could. Since I have owned my 3Gs, it has actually lost usability in this regard due to "featured listings" appearing first. At first it was annoying, but now its just dysfunctional. Last night I had gps find me, I zoomed in on my city around my blue dot and typed in a men's department store. First 10 matches were in TN, FL, and the like. I live almost in the exact center of the U.S. That's ridiculous. The other day I was looking up Chica-fila because I knew one was around me. According to the list view, it first had one over 20 miles away and then a different one 60 miles away, when I recognized the address of the third one in the list I realized that was the one I was 1 mile away from.

I am not trying to promote any product or service or change this blog. I absolutely love what you guys do, but I think this requires some serious attention. Maybe a jailbreak designer can add something that automatically sorts by distance? I understand Google needs to make money and if they want to design their website and search a certain way that's up to them, but I paid for functionality of Maps (which is probably in my top 3 of most often used apps).

Happy Friday