11 replies to this topic

[+Mephistopheles]

Australian Police Warn Against Apple Maps, Citing “Potentially Life Threatening” Misdirection

Police in Victoria have urged motorists to avoid the use of Apple Maps, warning that faulty directions on the much-criticized app have left motorists stranded in the Australian outback for up to 24 hours without food or water.

The press release stated that tests on the mapping system confirmed that it shows the city of Mildura as being in the middle of Murray Sunset National Park, when in fact it is located about 70 kilometers away. The statement from Victoria Police said this is a “potentially life threatening situation” because there is no water supply within the park and temperatures can reach 46 degrees Celsius.

Its been noted many times that Apple Maps’ most egregious errors are for countries outside the US. Berlin was renamed and addresses disappeared completely in Jakarta and now, apparently, Aussie iOS users could find themselves unwittingly starring in their own real-life version of “Picnic At Hanging Rock.”

The decision to remove Google Maps from iOS and replace it with the error-filled Apple Maps forced Tim Cook to issue an apology in September and recommended several competing apps. Apple fired the manager who oversaw the Maps team last month and many have speculated that the October resignation of Scott Forstall, the SVP of iOS Software, was related to the furor. Apple is also reportedly recruiting ex-Google Maps developers in an effort to improve iOS maps.

Source: TechCrunch

[fehu]

"for me it works fine, and I don't see nothing wrong in taking some time for ourselves in the beauty of nature"

and

"what? there's something outside usa? must be alqueda so who cares?"

[jakem1]

I was surprised that anyone would want to travel to Mildura in the first place

[nik louch]

Quote

faulty directions on the much-criticized app have left motorists stranded in the Australian outback for up to 24 hours without food or water.

How stupid do you have to be to blindly follow ANY sat-nav and end up in such a situation. It's like the people that drove off a cliff because the sat-nav said so. Really?

Surely, when leaving a built-up areas and entering the outback, you'd realise? And at that point you take some personal responsibility and think "Did I come prepared for this?"

[Vandalsquad]

nik louch, on 10 December 2012 - 11:10, said:

How stupid do you have to be to blindly follow ANY sat-nav and end up in such a situation. It's like the people that drove off a cliff because the sat-nav said so. Really?

Surely, when leaving a built-up areas and entering the outback, you'd realise? And at that point you take some personal responsibility and think "Did I come prepared for this?"

To be honest, a lot of tourists don't realise how big Australia is. A lot of cattle stations are larger then entire European countries. One wrong left or right turn because the sat nav tells you that is the direction of the next fuel stop and over nighter you will easily end up out of fuel and supplies. Most refueling stations are around 600km's apart. And a lot of sections you need to bring extra fuel to make the trip if you don't stick to the main road.

All said, anyone traveling into the Australian outback needs to be prepared. Or at least have an emergency GPS locator on them at all times. It is a massive massive area of nothing but sand dirt and rock with not a soul for days on end depending where you end up.

Take a GPS positioner, and a trusty map book. And any satnav but an iphone..

[Subhadip]

nik louch, on 10 December 2012 - 11:10, said:

How stupid do you have to be to blindly follow ANY sat-nav and end up in such a situation. It's like the people that drove off a cliff because the sat-nav said so. Really?

Surely, when leaving a built-up areas and entering the outback, you'd realise? And at that point you take some personal responsibility and think "Did I come prepared for this?"

You will be surprised how many people would trust Apple with their lives.

[seanseany]

These are handy tools, but always use a real map when traveling into the unknown. Map reading is so easy with a little practice and common sense.

NEVER fully trust satnavs/gps/apps.They are just handy little tools/toys and not the full answer.

[nik louch]

Quote

To be honest, a lot of tourists don't realise how big Australia is. A lot of cattle stations are larger then entire European countries. One wrong left or right turn because the sat nav tells you that is the direction of the next fuel stop and over nighter you will easily end up out of fuel and supplies. Most refueling stations are around 600km's apart. And a lot of sections you need to bring extra fuel to make the trip if you don't stick to the main road.

I do get that, maybe I don't fully appreciate the scale, but I understand the sentiment. But if I'm somewhere I don't know - I check things before rather than just setting off and trusting a sat-nav.

Quote

You will be surprised how many people would trust Apple with their lives.

I'm not sure this is actually about Apple per-se, I would suggest any cheap consumer sat-nav system (including smartphones) are culprit here.

Quote

Map reading is so easy with a little practice and common sense.

See, before sat-nav, I used to read maps before heading out, jot a post-it of junctions and so on, and generally have an idea of my route. I used to adore orienteering when I was a cadet, and have an intensely strong sense of direction (with one blindingly annoying caveat).

[Vandalsquad]

nik louch, on 10 December 2012 - 11:48, said:

I do get that, maybe I don't fully appreciate the scale, but I understand the sentiment. But if I'm somewhere I don't know - I check things before rather than just setting off and trusting a sat-nav.

No doubt you would be fine, we have plenty of UK and Irish workers who cross the country with no problem and enjoy and love every second of it. It's the one's that don't speak english that great.. And obviously don't understand "LAST STATION FOR 800KM!" Means fill the car and jerry cans

Tourists usually have to let the town there leaving know when they are leaving and when the next town can expect them and if they never turn up.. We'll the search party goes out.

[+Anarkii]

*re- LOLs @ Apple Maps in Vic coz SOMEONE deleted my original LOLs*

*raises fist* damn hippies.

[FloatingFatMan]

Vandalsquad, on 10 December 2012 - 11:30, said:

All said, anyone traveling into the Australian outback needs to be prepared. Or at least have an emergency GPS locator on them at all times. It is a massive massive area of nothing but sand dirt and rock with not a soul for days on end depending where you end up.

Take a GPS positioner, and a trusty map book. And any satnav but an iphone..

I'm not from Aus, have never been to Aus, and likely never WILL go to Aus (I hate flying!), and even I know that you don't go into the outback without being prepared! On top of that all gear, I'd also add a satellite phone, as there's just no way you're going to get a cellphone signal in the middle of nowhere. Make sure you tell reliable people where you're going and how long you'll be, too.

[Growled]

The truth hurts, sometimes.