Mapping is hard. As sea levels rise due to global warming, Mt. Everest's height gets lower! When you add man-made items to maps, such as roads and buildings, keeping up with the changes becomes complex.
Apple recently replaced the built-in maps app on IOS (iPhone and iPad). Google's app was removed and Apple's app took its place. User's discovered that Apple's app had numerous errors and some were glaring. Google then responded by creating its own app. For some people this seemed better. Not for me!
There are two parts to a map app - a user interface and geographic data. A wonderful interface can't make up for bad or incorrect data. A bad interface can't make up for great data. You need both. Apple has a great interface but mediocre data. Google had an ok interface and ok data.
All map apps have incorrect or out of date data. A business that moves to another location or closes may continue to be shown in the old location for some time. There are not enough people to keep up with changes in real time. So it takes time for changes to be verified and made, although there is no excuse for having incorrect locations for years. Also, sometimes two locations have the same or similar names and the mapmakers confuse them as happened recently in the Australian part of Apple's maps.
Apple was heavily criticized for its bad data. It apologized in public. But Google is not immune to bad data either. I live in a town that shares its zip code with the neighboring town. Both towns have streets and addresses with the same number and name. So both Apple and Google have mislocated points of interest (POIs), such as restaurants, post offices, doctor's offices, etc., in the wrong town.
Additionally, Google's interface is nothing about which to get excited. Apple's is better.
So, overall I don't see the big deal about Apple versus Google. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Both have good and bad data. Just don't bet your life on map apps.
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