Jason Wong : Apple Should Not Try To Be The Developer For The World

I am of the opinion that Apple should never have moved away from Google Maps, not because it doesn't have the resources or the capabilities to develop its own map solutions. Being a company that wants to have control over every aspect of their products, it seems to be only the right thing to do, or is it? If that is the case, then every aspect of manufacturing should be in-house, from producing their own touchscreens, their own Gorilla glass, their own processors to assembling the entire product, and even creating their own competing network protocol to GSM.

Tim Cooks said this in All Things Digital - "What we want to accomplish is we just want people to develop their own stuff. It is important that Apple not be the developer of the world." This statement echoes the sentiment I feel in this entire saga - Apple should put its energy and focus on building the best products & services that is core to the company.

My condominiums do not exist, according to Apple Maps.	Neither does a landmark like the Sunway Giza Mall...

There have been reports that Apple is stuck as Google does not want to allow turn-by-turn navigation in Apple's native Google Maps app. However, is that reason enough to ditch Google Maps and release an in-house solution? Aren't Apple's executives capable enough to strike a compromised arrangement with Google, like how they did with the music industry, movie studios and now publishing houses? I see this excuse purely as a move for Apple to roll out its custom map service, partially fueled by the irritating fact that Google's Android is currently the number 1 mobile operating system used in the world.

The way I see it, Google Maps is only one part of the equation that makes it irresistible to use. The other part of the equation is the undisputed power of Google's search capabilities. Put these two together and it will take a lot of energy from Apple to level the playing field in a short time. Even if they succeed, it will be at a cost that I would consider a waste of money and efforts. Why duplicate something that has already taken years of research and effort to produce? What Apple is doing is essentially a duplication of effort.

Apple's own iTunes Ping can serve as a warning of the consequences of developing and imposing a subpar service or experience to consumers. I don't think consumers are going to ditch the Apple iOS platform or Apple iPhones just because they prefer Google Maps. Users are going to look for alternative solutions within the platform while Apple strives to improve its maps.

While they are working on their maps, Apple also has to figure a way to keep users going back to their native maps. Relying purely on Siri and Safari integration to its maps application may be effective as a short term solution. Time will tell if iOS users will give Apple Maps a chance. Either way, Apple will still sell millions of iOS devices. They may eventually decide to scrap their custom map solution like how they did iTunes Ping. If that day comes, I will be truly disappointed to know the amount of carbon that has gone wasted to solve just this problem in the world.

What Is Your Opinion?

So what do you think? Could Apple have avoided Maps-gate? If Steve Jobs was still alive, would he have allowed Apple Maps to debut in this form and fashion? Or would he had communicated Apple's vision of a better maps app far better? Tell us!

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