Chicago-livers:

 

How would you rate Sprint in terms of chicago coverage. I know we've asked this before but I couldn't find it on the googlesearch of soxtalk.

 

I live in Logan Square, and have a great deal on AT&T. However, I never get service in my house, so I need to switch. I would be more inclined to Sprint, but if they don't have a good reputation then Verizon it is.

Chicago-livers:

 

How would you rate Sprint in terms of chicago coverage. I know we've asked this before but I couldn't find it on the googlesearch of soxtalk.

 

I live in Logan Square, and have a great deal on AT&T. However, I never get service in my house, so I need to switch. I would be more inclined to Sprint, but if they don't have a good reputation then Verizon it is.

 

http://opensignal.com/

http://opensignal.com/

 

Well that's that. Thanks!

Google's maps is still superior, but not by as much as I expected it would be at first. For a launch version of this magnitude, they've don'e a really good job, you can tell Apple cares about this. This is a good thing for all, as it will give Google some actual competition in this area.

 

Tested side by side in the real-world uses that I've used Google Maps for, Apple Maps returns mostly the same data, but Google's database is still more robust, however, for my specific uses, both do the job just fine.

 

Most of the same functionality exists, including 2d/3d mode, real time traffic, turn by turn directions, searches based on names (self correcting if you type the names in wrong), driving/walking directions to/from, contact information, areas of accidents/road construction, etc. Apple also included the Yelp database, so you get instant reviews to any of your searches, an added feature I find quite nice, but nothing Google really "needs".

 

What's different:

Street View - Apple has an alternative called 3D maps, which is very cool visually, and does the job for the limited purposes of what this is, but it's much the same as Street View IMO, it's cool to show it to people...but not very useful in a real world setting, especially considering the data is often well over a year old. I'd still give the edge to Street View for it's limited function, but visually, in bigger cities where it exists, 3D maps is amazing eye candy.

 

Public Transportation Directions:

Apple is not building this into their maps application, which will open up opportunity for 3rd parties, however, this is mostly "business political" as even Google has been running into problems with this function as of late. In many areas, private transportation companies own this data and give it to the GTFS database for free, but have been becoming unwilling to share it now that they realize they can build their own applications. Google has lost data for this in a few areas around the world because these companies decided they'd rather make their own apps to do this, which is unfortunate for everyone. Still, the data they do have gives Google an edge in this area in the short term. 3rd party apps can hook into Apple Maps through an API and add this functionality. That said, at the moment for people that rely on this function of Google Maps will find Apple's maps of no help at the moment, however, this will be temporary as huge projects have been launched to accomodate and you can always use Safari to go to maps.google.com for this information in the short term.

 

Bottom Line:

Aside from the Public Transportation information, Apple's Maps is up to the everyday tasks I've used Google Maps for in the past. I've had Apple Maps for the past 5 months, and haven't missed Google's. You can also still browse to maps.google.com if you need too...but I haven't had the need. I've also tried Bing Maps (available through the app store), but it's downright terrible in comparison to either, however, given Microsoft's foray into the mobile phone business, I'm betting that Bing Maps will suddenly make some huge leaps. In a few years, I'd bet there is little difference between what Apple, Microsoft and Google offer in terms of maps.

 

Disclaimer:

I've never used Google Maps for public transportation information, so this is a feature I do not miss/care about...mostly because I do not use public transportation.

Thank you for this very detailed post. I'm excited to try it tomorrow.

Chicago-livers:

 

How would you rate Sprint in terms of chicago coverage. I know we've asked this before but I couldn't find it on the googlesearch of soxtalk.

 

I live in Logan Square, and have a great deal on AT&T. However, I never get service in my house, so I need to switch. I would be more inclined to Sprint, but if they don't have a good reputation then Verizon it is.

 

I don't know north, but I have great luck with them downtown, and south.

Decided to jump in and upgrade to iPhone 5 Friday. Will AT&T store have them in stock? If I preorder online, they say it will take 3 weeks.

Decided to jump in and upgrade to iPhone 5 Friday. Will AT&T store have them in stock? If I preorder online, they say it will take 3 weeks.

No, the ATT store will probably not have them in stock on Friday either. Your best bets are goign to be...waiting the 3 weeks...or getting in the Apple store line.

No, the ATT store will probably not have them in stock on Friday either. Your best bets are goign to be...waiting the 3 weeks...or getting in the Apple store line.

 

But get there really, really early. The line at the NYC Apple store started 3 days before the IPad 2 went on sale.

But get there really, really early. The line at the NYC Apple store started 3 days before the IPad 2 went on sale.

The line at the NYC Store started at least 2 days ago for the iphone 5. But at least here, you can't start lining up anywhere until early Friday morning, because the Mall where the store is will clear y ou out overnight and you can't stay in the parking lot overnight.

But get there really, really early. The line at the NYC Apple store started 3 days before the IPad 2 went on sale.

 

I'll wait then. Not eager enough to wait in line for it.

 

I've only bought phones from the AT&T store. If I order online through apple, do I than take it to the AT&T store to activate?

Edited September 19, 201213 yr by Brian

Chicago-livers:

 

How would you rate Sprint in terms of chicago coverage. I know we've asked this before but I couldn't find it on the googlesearch of soxtalk.

 

I live in Logan Square, and have a great deal on AT&T. However, I never get service in my house, so I need to switch. I would be more inclined to Sprint, but if they don't have a good reputation then Verizon it is.

Dont know but Verizon is very good. Tmobile was excellent in the past.

 

 

In crowded areas the Verizon signal actually blocks the ATT one , which is why down here and in places like the United Center ATT sucks.

Dont know but Verizon is very good. Tmobile was excellent in the past.

 

 

In crowded areas the Verizon signal actually blocks the ATT one , which is why down here and in places like the United Center ATT sucks.

 

It's also because AT&T just sucks.

 

Verizon and AT&T use different spectrum, so Verizon shouldn't be "blocking" AT&T. AT&T's issue are is has very few towers, and they get overloaded when too many people are in one area at the same time...their network is laid out horribly.

Anyone download the iOS 6 today?

Anyone download the iOS 6 today?

Me. At first it crashed and I had to restore my phone, but now I am furiously updating all my apps, 36 to be exact

 

Me. At first it crashed and I had to restore my phone, but now I am furiously updating all my apps, 36 to be exact

The download and install button won't light up on my phone. I'm going to try thru my computer tonight.

The download and install button won't light up on my phone. I'm going to try thru my computer tonight.

Are you on wifi?

 

I connected to my mac because I back up to that instead of icloud.

Are you on wifi?

 

I connected to my mac because I back up to that instead of icloud.

I am but I'm in front of my house. Maybe the signal is weak.

Review so far: Passbook could be a real money maker for vendors, what a cool idea. Other than that the look and feel of the menus is different and I havent explored much else yet.

 

Oh s***. Dedicated bluetooth on/off option right in the setting instead of hidden under general. Thank you lord.

Edited September 19, 201213 yr by RockRaines

Anyone download the iOS 6 today?

 

Took like an hour and a half for my phone but only 25 mins for iPad.

So I thought the iPad 2 was getting Siri but instead I didn't get s***, and they took YouTube away. But I got a clock app!

I've only bought phones from the AT&T store. If I order online through apple, do I than take it to the AT&T store to activate?

I've had it mailed and they give you a number to call for activation. It's very easy to set it up.

 

Are you on wifi?

 

I connected to my mac because I back up to that instead of icloud.

Same here. My download time was about 10 minutes because I plugged it into my laptop with the USB charger. I know someone who updated their iPad over WiFi and said it took an hour. It's cool to do it over the air, but it's much slower.

 

So I thought the iPad 2 was getting Siri but instead I didn't get s***, and they took YouTube away. But I got a clock app!

There's a much better YouTube app made by google that's free.

I've had it mailed and they give you a number to call for activation. It's very easy to set it up.

 

 

Same here. My download time was about 10 minutes because I plugged it into my laptop with the USB charger. I know someone who updated their iPad over WiFi and said it took an hour. It's cool to do it over the air, but it's much slower.

 

 

There's a much better YouTube app made by google that's free.

When I search for it in the app store I see the iPhone version but nothing for the iPad version.

Chicago-livers:

 

How would you rate Sprint in terms of chicago coverage. I know we've asked this before but I couldn't find it on the googlesearch of soxtalk.

 

I live in Logan Square, and have a great deal on AT&T. However, I never get service in my house, so I need to switch. I would be more inclined to Sprint, but if they don't have a good reputation then Verizon it is.

Sprint has been upgrading their towers in this area, and because of that the service has been complete s*** for the last 3 months. I'm ready to drop them.

Sorry if this has been covered but anyone else not impressed with Apple/iphone5/iOS6 as of late??

 

Ok, I'll say it...Google Maps was better.

 

The Yelp integration was nice, but I miss the transit map integration badly.