Google Maps: The App Is Bad

The Android phone application Google Maps should have been a blockbuster winner for Google, but it’s always been deeply flawed.

screen shot of google maps showing absolute bullshit

I’ve been an Android user since before 2014. I didn’t twig to a mapping app being useful for a while after getting a smartphone, that’s on me. In my defense, Google Maps has exhibited a progression of deep flaws that keeps it from being a good app.

  • Touching the screen edges causing crashes
  • Randomly going into night mode
  • Not deciding to give you verbal directions for a while after starting a route
  • Whatever the hell was going on in the image above
  • Threading problems that left the app partially running, but only responding to some types of taps.
  • Giving you directions well after you needed them. Like telling you to make a left turn when you’re already committed to the go-straight-lane.
  • Multiple re-routes while you’re in the parking lot trying to get to the street it originally wanted you to turn in to.

spiral path in a parking lot

What in tarnation?

Maps could have been a great app. Even in its perpetual crippled state it helps, but gee whiz, it could be a whole lot better without the random weirdness.