Google Maps vs. Apple Maps on the Apple Watch – Knowligent
Google Maps vs. Apple Maps on the Apple Watch

Google Maps vs. Apple Maps on the Apple Watch

HomeHow to, TechGoogle Maps vs. Apple Maps on the Apple Watch

Google Maps is now available on the Apple Watch, and it feels completely useless. And no, I'm not exaggerating.

Compared to Apple’s own Maps app for the watch, Google’s version is pretty sparse. Google is handicapped somewhat by not having access to some of the deeper features that Apple uses (more on that later), but it still feels like Google isn’t even trying. On iPhone, Android, and the web, we tolerate Google’s privacy violations because its apps are so good. The watch app doesn’t even have that.

“I keep third-party apps on my iPhone and watch to a minimum for privacy reasons,” Apple Watch app developer Graham Bower told Lifewire via direct message. “The built-in maps app already does everything I need.”

Google Maps is almost always better than Apple Maps, in terms of information and accuracy. Next time you’re outside the US, try comparing the two. Where Google shows you green parks and the sidewalks within them, Apple shows you a blank beige expanse. Google is not only superior in map data, but also in map searches. Apple Maps uses Yelp to add businesses to its searches, but in my experience Google is almost always better at it, and gives you more and more accurate results for business searches.