Summary of "Apple Maps vs Google Maps vs Waze on CarPlay!"
Navigation Apps Comparison on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The video provides a detailed comparison and review of three popular navigation apps on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze. The focus is on their technological features, usability, and reliability as satnav solutions in cars.
Key Technological Concepts and Features
1. Compatibility
- Apple Maps: Exclusive to Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac).
- Google Maps: Default on Android but available on iOS; widely supported on many platforms including some car multimedia systems.
- Waze: Third-party app owned by Google, available on both iOS and Android.
2. History and Data
- Google Maps (since 2005) has the largest dataset and widest device support.
- Apple Maps launched in 2012 with early issues but significantly improved by 2025/2026.
- Waze started around 2008, acquired by Google in 2013, and retains a unique community-driven approach.
3. User Interface and Experience
- Apple Maps: Clean, minimal, polished UI with native iOS design elements like “liquid glass” in iOS 16; dynamic map zooming and UI animations (e.g., map shifts when texts arrive).
- Google Maps: Rich POI data integrated with Google Search and reviews, but less fluid UI animations.
- Waze: Similar to Google Maps but with a playful, cartoonish style and unique icons (e.g., a character mascot).
4. Navigation Features
- All apps provide standard route options, real-time traffic updates, and speed limits.
- Apple Maps and Google Maps allow adding stops (e.g., fuel stations) along routes; Waze adds stops but tends to search nearby rather than strictly on route.
- Voice navigation uses Siri voices for Apple Maps, Google Assistant voices for Google Maps, and offers many voice options including celebrities for Waze.
5. Map Views
- Google Maps is the only one offering satellite view on CarPlay.
- Apple Maps and Waze do not have satellite view on CarPlay (though Apple Maps has it on other devices).
6. Offline Maps
- Apple Maps and Google Maps support offline map downloads (configured on the phone).
- Waze does not support offline maps.
7. Points of Interest (POI) and Reviews
- Google Maps excels with extensive POI data and user reviews (though limited on CarPlay).
- Apple Maps shows third-party ratings and useful info like hours and payment options on CarPlay.
- Waze focuses primarily on navigation speed rather than detailed POI info.
8. Community Reporting and Alerts
- All three apps support user reports for crashes, traffic, speed cameras, and hazards.
- Waze’s community reporting is the most robust and foundational to its popularity.
- Apple Maps and Google Maps have integrated reporting features that update other users in real time.
9. Additional Features
- Calendar Integration: Apple Maps and Waze integrate calendar events for navigation; Google Maps currently does not.
- Sharing ETA: Apple Maps allows sharing ETA with contacts directly from CarPlay; Google Maps supports this on the app but not yet on CarPlay.
10. Voice Control
- All apps support voice commands via Siri on CarPlay, allowing hands-free navigation control.
Reliability and User Preference
- Google Maps is considered the most reliable overall with the largest dataset and best traffic avoidance.
- Apple Maps has improved significantly but has had reliability issues in the past, especially in complex urban areas.
- Waze offers strong community-driven real-time updates but is car-focused and lacks multi-modal transport navigation.
- User poll results showed Google Maps as the most popular, followed by Waze, then Apple Maps.
Conclusion
- Google Maps is the overall winner due to its comprehensive data, satellite view on CarPlay, and multi-modal navigation capabilities.
- Apple Maps is favored for its clean design, fluid UI, and calendar integration within the Apple ecosystem.
- Waze remains a strong contender for community-based traffic updates and fun voice options but is limited to driving navigation.
Main Speaker/Source: The video is presented by a tech reviewer (unnamed in subtitles) who has personally tested all three apps over several years and shares practical demonstrations and opinions based on real-world use.
Category
Technology