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Google Maps App Needs Work

by Matt Hartley on May 2, 2008 at 11:00 pm · Comments
Categorized by GnomeREPORT / More Information

An opportunity came today for me to test out this mobile application from Google. As far as the triangulation (I believe that is how it works), the application found my location with zero issues. However any joy was short lived as I went to enter my destination address. To be clear, this is the example that Google gives you - I about lost it as this is the single most confusing thing I have ever seen.

Enter an address (e.g. 90210, dallas, 10 main st boston ma)

Yes, apparently Dallas has some mystical relation to Boston?? So when I was trying to enter my information, I was LOST after entering my destination ZIP. What the heck am I supposed to put in, Dallas? Logically, one might surmise that an address might be in order. I entered it exactly as shown minus this “dallas” as Google had instructed me. And as I suspected, it did not work for multiple addresses.

Maybe I am missing something painfully obviously, but I tend to doubt it. Considering the tool already has my departing area, the example of Dallas would not likely be representative of that. Seriously, help me out here, because Google is not making a lick of sense on this one.

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What Do You Think?

Jeff - May 2, 2008 @ 11:40 pm

It is 3 different examples, not 1. You can enter “90210″ or “dallas” or “10 main st boston ma”.

They probably do need to write the example different, because there are likely many people who thought the same thing as you.

Vince Alline - May 3, 2008 @ 11:56 am

I believe Google is just giving you three examples of acceptable addresses. You can enter a zip code (90210), a city (Dallas) or a complete address (10 main st boston ma)

Rambozo - May 3, 2008 @ 1:04 pm

It seems rather clear to me. The examples given are just showing you the possibilities. You may enter a zip code, such as; 90210. OR you can enter a city, such as; Dallas. OR you can enter a complete address, such as; 10 Main St Boston MA. It all depends on the level of detail you have and how specific you require the directions to be. This seems to be standard with most GPS and mapping software.

Matt - May 3, 2008 @ 6:04 pm

I have had the same problem as this story explains. I turn on my Wi-Fi and go to the Google Maps feature on my iPod touch. The only problem is when I click the button to find my location it says “Your location could not be determined”. I then went to a big city, New York, and I press the button at the local coffee shop and then I saw, “Your location could not be determined” which tells me that you would have to be in an area that is well populated wit h no buildings blocking the signal. This is kind of an problem when it is you first time in New York and you depend on your iPod touch. The Google Maps feature is a great “idea” but it yet needs to be updated.

Max Smith - May 3, 2008 @ 8:17 pm

Enter an address (e.g. 90210, dallas, 10 main st boston ma)
This example means: zip code(90210) or city(dallas) or address city state
(10 main st boston ma). Is this helpful to you?

Gary Skelton - May 4, 2008 @ 2:16 am

Hmmm,

Maybe

Enter an address (e.g. 90210, dallas, 10 main st boston ma)

gives three examples of how to enter an address, separated by commas.

you could just type 90210 (zip code)
Or if you’re looking for Dallas, type dallas
Or if you’re looking for 10, Main Street in Boston MA, type 10 main st boston ma

Gaz

ooops - May 4, 2008 @ 1:34 pm

Open mouth, insert foot, appologize to Google.

Mike - May 6, 2008 @ 2:25 am

I think you have been spending too much time at the computer lately - that isn’t a format statement, it is a list of three different examples, to highlight the fact that you DON’T need a specific format, or a full address!

Matt Hartley - May 6, 2008 @ 4:37 pm

Mike: From my own perspective, if Google is “assuming” slapping in commas means that this is either/or, they would be nuts. That is simply poor design. It’s not like we are talking about universal examples here.

I work from a computer daily - the use of a comma is aways a separator, not a substitute for the obvious choice - the word “or”.

I cannot get over how obvious the poor choice in comma placement is. No one outside of the developers are going to see this as logical. And after showing this same thing to others, it appears that I am not alone.

What are your thoughts?

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