VicPol complain to Apple

[flappist]

Originally Posted by CRN

Apple's much-maligned Maps application has forced Victorian Police to warn motorists against using the software after two people searching for the city of Mildura got lost in the wilderness.
The application was introduced in Apple's latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS 6. In previous versions Google's Maps app was used as the standard.
Mildura Police said several motorists became stranded in the Murray-Sunset National Park after following directions on their iPhone, which listed the city of Mildura in the middle of the park - 70km away from its actual location.
"Police are extremely concerned as there is no water supply within the park and temperatures can reach as high as 46 degrees, making this a potentially life threatening issue," the Mildura Police said in a statement.
It said some motorists had been stranded for up to 24 hours with no food or water. The Police said Apple has been contacted about the issue.
The police advised iPhone users to rely on other mapping information in the meantime.
Apple CEO Tim Cook was forced to apologise for the application following a massive backlash after its launch. Users complained that service - based on Dutch navigation equipment and digital map maker TomTom NV's data - contained geographical errors and gaps in information.
Apple fired its iOS chief Scott Forstall for reportedly refusing to apologise for the faulty application.

http://www.crn.com.au/News/325899,ap...ily_newsletter

It is Christmas and a lot of people are travelling to places they have never been before.

Apple have really stuffed this up and I personally know of several people who use their iphone as a "free satnav".

Be safe out there over the break and make sure you have a backup plan.

[Charliewool]

Surely you'd have to be REALLY thick to keep heading into the desert on an increasingly worsening unmade road/track just because your phone keeps telling you that it's the way to Mildura?
Next we'll have people driving off the end of Station Pier because SIRI says it's the shortcut to Crown Casino

[duaned]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Surely you'd have to be REALLY thick to keep heading into the desert on an increasingly worsening unmade road/track just because your phone keeps telling you that it's the way to Mildura?

Most people that own Iphones are thick. Well thick enough not to realise the Iphone is average, but have convinced themselves (and the herd of sheep that follow) the Apple product is actually amazing. Reality check!

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by duaned

Most people that own Iphones are thick. Well thick enough not to realise the Iphone is average, but have convinced themselves (and the herd of sheep that follow) the Apple product is actually amazing. Reality check!

Well said Android fanboi :-)

[rjr]

Originally Posted by duaned

Most people that own Iphones are thick. Well thick enough not to realise the Iphone is average, but have convinced themselves (and the herd of sheep that follow) the Apple product is actually amazing. Reality check!

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by duaned

Most people that own Iphones are thick. Well thick enough not to realise the Iphone is average, but have convinced themselves (and the herd of sheep that follow) the Apple product is actually amazing. Reality check!

It's just a phone dude.

I forgot to mention in my original post, that when the phone couldn't find the route I needed, I just used a refidex. Crisis averted. Turns out I don't have to rely on technology to get places, android or otherwise....

[Ben73]

The only thing worse than apple fanboys are people who hate on the product for no real reason.
Had my iPhone for 2.5 years. No problems. Maps have always worked perfect.

[wrongwaynorris]

Originally Posted by Ben73

The only thing worse than apple fanboys are people who hate on the product for no real reason.
Had my iPhone for 2.5 years. No problems. Maps have always worked perfect.

What is it about Iphone owners who just hate hearing the truth ?

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by wrongwaynorris

What is it about Iphone owners who just hate hearing the truth ?

Truth is a relative thing ...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Surely you'd have to be REALLY thick to keep heading into the desert on an increasingly worsening unmade road/track just because your phone keeps telling you that it's the way to Mildura?
Next we'll have people driving off the end of Station Pier because SIRI says it's the shortcut to Crown Casino

Yes but there are a lot of foreign tourists and city dwellers who have no idea what Australia is really like. One of my nieces got a job two years ago working at the super resort at Ayres Rock and she and 3 of her friends had bought a satnav and planned the trip out there. They would not have made it as they had neither the fuel nor the experience to understand that they were getting into trouble until it was too late.
When I chipped them about it the reply was "we will just call RACQ" on their Vodafone and Optus phones (telstra is too expensive).

Have a look at the Plenty Hwy which shows on most satnavs as a major arterial route.

This is part of the reason why we often have members on here going bezerk about speed limits/lpg availability/spare tyres and tyre types/98,95 and ethanol/distances travelled in a day/routes and a plethora of other things where reality often bears no ressemblance whatsoever to theory or expert opinion from the internet.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by flappist

Yes but there are a lot of foreign tourists and city dwellers who have no idea what Australia is really like. One of my nieces got a job two years ago woring at the super resort at Ayres Rock and she and 3 of her friends had bought a satnav and planned the trip out there. They would not have made it as they had niether the fuel nor the experience to understand that they were getting into trouble until it was too late.
When I chipped them about it the reply was "we will just call RACQ" on their Vodafone and Optus phones (telstra is too expensive).

Have a look at the Plenty Hwy which shows on most satnavs as a major arterial route.

This is part of the reason why we often have members on here going bezerk about speed limits/lpg availability/spare tyres and tyre types/98,95 and ethanol/distances travelled in a day/routes and a plethora of other things where reality often bears no ressemblance whatsoever to theory or expert opinion from the internet.

Your niece got a job doing WHAT?

[SVTVNM]

Had a read of that story this morning and thought Mildura isn't exactly a small town and that those BIG green signs on the side of the road every so often would be pretty hard to miss maybe if you looked up at the signs instead of his Iphone he wouldn't of got lost...

[MRG6ET]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

Your niece got a job doing WHAT?

It seems to have gone through to the keeper that one.

but a very friendly neice she is

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by flappist

When I chipped them about it the reply was "we will just call RACQ" on their Vodafone and Optus phones (telstra is too expensive).

Now I'm only guessing here, but I'd say that a Vodafone or Optus phone out there would be about good as trying to find a (insert favourite roadside service here) service centre?

I hear things have improved, it's all bitumen now I think.

(removes tongue from cheek)

[cheap]

Maps all have their faults but you get what you pay for.

There are a number of navigation apps available from the various app-stores which have reasonable information. I have a Garmin loaded with dedicated 4x4 maps, but the free app "Australia - offline map with directU" sometimes has better detail than the Garmin.

I can't fault the GPS in the iPhone, even with the "bad Apple -Maps" it shows me 1-4 metres from where I'm at.

Finally, driving anywhere and especially in the outback still requires a degree of common-sense and spacial awareness. The problem we're seeing is that with technology doing more "driver assistance" some people assume then can disregard their responsibilities.

[Peuty]

My stupid iphone couldn't even calculate a route between Kallangur and Albany Creek in Brisbane on Saturday.

Stupid bloody thing.

[DJM83]

Bhahahahaha

[Ford_The_Win]

Stick with Apple Maps I say, if you use a Melways you might actually end up in Mildura...

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by flappist

It is Christmas and a lot of people are travelling to places they have never been before.

Apple have really stuffed this up and I personally know of several people who use their iphone as a "free satnav".

Be safe out there over the break and make sure you have a backup plan.

*thinks of the Japanese tourists who bogged their car in Moreton Bay because the sat nav told them they could drive to North Stradbroke*

[kenz]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

*thinks of the Japanese tourists who bogged their car in Moreton Bay because the sat nav told them they could drive to North Stradbroke*

First thing I thought aswell!
Yes, humans are that stupid if anyone is doubting

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...high-tide.html

[ch33z1l]

I read another article where the national park was infested with snakes, and 1 particular motorist saw a fox, a goat and a sheep, and was too frightened to get out of the car...ah, city folk.

[XWGT]

To be fair to Apple, I had Google Maps on the iPhone 4S go completely haywaire near Bendigo in Victoria about 6 months ago. First time ever I have seen any mapping system lose its marbels but it was clearly pointing 180 degrees in the wrong direction.

Moral of the story. If Google maps (which is around 10 years old) can get it wrong, then so can any other mapping apps. Common sense must be engaged.

[Bossxr8]

This is the very reason I haven't updated mine to the lastest spec level, the apple maps is absolute crap.

The google maps work awesome.

[Itsme]

OMG Has any one notified the taxi drivers of this......

[irish2]

Originally Posted by trublu

OMG Has any one notified the taxi drivers of this......

Was in a taxi going down brekky creek road in Brissy and his GPS kept telling him to do illegal maneuvers. I had to tell him he couldn't do that because we were about to be involved in a crash all because of a stupid voice.

I agree with SVTVNM. Whenever you head anywhere bigger than an ant hill, most of the time there are great big signs telling you how many kilometers until the destination and any turns are indicated a long the way.

[Werd.]

This is why I use an Android....

Apple have made a big mistake by pushing Google maps off their platform and forcing users onto "apple maps".. It's simply not ready to be dependent on yet... I'd much rather have a phone which lets me use Google maps which is basically the best thing since sliced bread.

[redxm]

whats wrong with a nrma map?

[Werd.]

Originally Posted by redxm

whats wrong with a nrma map?

Doesn't sit on the windshield telling you where the next national park with no water/fuel is

[redxm]

ok. maybe you need to upgrade to wife 2.0

[TheInterceptor]

GPS's are cheap as anything these days, $150 odd can get you one! (even less depending) A GPS which is soley and wholey designed to tell you where to go...

If you can afford an iPhone outright, or $50+ a month for one on a plan, you can afford to buy a GPS no?