產品生態系統是科技界內競爭最激烈的一環，例如亞馬遜(AMZN-US)、Google (GOOG-US) 和微軟 (MSFT-US)通常會讓自家平台擁有產品最棒的功能，其他平台則僅有尚可的次級品。
難道Google真的這麼無私，不僅不留一手，還供應蘋果平台更棒的地圖app？
基礎、核心的使用經驗本質上一模一樣，同樣的地圖、同樣的搜尋結果，兩種版本都提供行徑方向、大眾運輸路線和聲控、有路口轉彎提示(turn-by-turn)的導航功能、街景和3D地圖，這兩種版本也沒有特別明顯、足以分出好壞的瑕疵。
然則，這兩種仍是不同的app。
搜尋欄改在上方，操作更直觀
在搜尋欄旁邊有一個按鈕，可讓用戶進入一份預先編列的地點選單，用戶事先可設定住家、工作或其他地點，節省日後重覆鍵入同樣地址的時間。Android版雖然也有這樣預先編寫、快速存取的功能，但卻藏在該app主畫面底下某一層，操作上較不直觀。
接著還有訊息卡，用戶搜尋有興趣的地點並用大頭針標記後，會在底部彈出訊息欄，而非在地圖上出現重疊的訊息框。點擊該欄框會往上移，占據2/3的螢 幕(讓目前的地圖畫面剩1/3)，用戶可以左右移動不同的搜尋結果，也可以點入看企業訊息、Zagat評價和導航選擇。完成後只要將訊息框下拉，就可輕鬆 返回主頁面。
這樣顯示和操作方式比Android版本來得簡單、直觀多了。
但這可不代表Android版本沒有自己的優點。Android就是功能的最原始形態，其離線地圖獨樹一格、雖非必要卻耐人尋味的室內(indoor)地圖、地形圖和腳踏
車路線圖。
此外，由於蘋果善變，直接建入作業系統的Android有著優化的好處：平移和縮放更順暢、背景運作功能強化，以及默認的地圖app狀態。
Android版與Google其他服務的連結更深，這是iOS版地圖所欠缺的優點。Android版可連至當地推薦訊息、供應事項、維基百科資訊和近來打卡地點等。
這樣區別很有意義，Google讓自家產品在其他平台上任何方面都更棒，這似乎個瘋狂的舉動，但若詳細分析這兩種不同的平台使用內容，就可了解Google的策略，因為Android版才能與Google各服務做最大結合。
iOS版極度強調直覺式的使用經驗，所以使用者介面較好 (也許哪天Android版也會跟進此優點)，而Android從頭到尾都在客製化和更強大的用戶功能上取勝，所以使用Google服務項目越多的人，可能就該買支Android手機。
在對手平台上推出相當高品質的產品，這是相當有遠見、睿智之舉，因為這可吸引更多使用者深陷Google服務難以自拔，長期來說，這有利於Google。
Google Maps Returns to iPhone
Apple's version is still bolted into the phone, and the new, free Google app must be downloaded from Apple's app store. Google says the app was downloaded 10 million times in just its first two days of availability.
The reappearance of Google Maps on the iPhone closes a big advantage Google's own Android phones had gained when Apple's replacement turned out to lack some key features, such as labeling of buildings and businesses, street-view photos and public-transit routing. It also offered too much inaccurate location data.
However, the biggest news here is that the new iPhone version of Google Maps isn't just better than Apple Maps. For now, at least, Google Maps is better in most respects on the iPhone than it is on Android phones.
I've been testing the new Google Maps on iPhone and I really like it. It isn't perfect, but I prefer it to any other iPhone Maps app I've used, and to Google Maps on Android. The latter will likely also gain the new design in time, but for now, it looks inelegant by comparison.
Why would Google bail out iPhone users and give its rival's phone a better version of its Maps app than its own Android customers enjoy, even temporarily? Because, while Apple makes its money from hardware, Google is a services and advertising company, and wants its products to be heavily used on a popular platform like Apple's.
The Android version still has a few features the new iPhone version lacks: maps of the interiors of stores, malls and airports; bicycling directions; the ability to view map segments offline; and special offers that show up for some businesses. Google says it left these out for now because they aren't heavily used and the company wanted a new Apple version pronto. It says these may be added over time.
More important are the
Android app's traits Google
abandoned in the new iPhone version: too many menus and steps to get things done, confusing icons, and a concept called Layers that was techie talk for things
like switching from map view
across to satellite view.
Instead, the new iPhone version of Google Maps emphasizes two things: uncluttering the map itself, and swiping vertically and horizontally to move quickly among places, map views and information. In my tests, I found this design refreshingly easy to use. It even enhances the voice-prompted, automatic turn-by-turn navigation whose absence on the original iPhone version of Google Maps was the key thing that prompted Apple to get into the maps business.
When you first open the new Google Maps, all you see is a map with a search bar across the top and two small icons at the bottom. In the lower left is a button that brings up your current location, and in the lower right is a tiny icon that lets you switch to satellite view, to see public transit and traffic information, or to launch the separate Google Earth app. You can also get to these latter choices by swiping left with two fingers.
The top search bar includes two buttons on the right—one to start a navigation, and one to bring up a list of places you've
recently saved and shared. These are automatically synced with places you've saved and shared via Google Maps on other devices, such as PCs and Macs, or Android phones.
In addition to this clear, clean, main view, Google Maps for iPhone simplifies other functions. If you enter the name or address of a place, a small bar appears at the bottom of the map with summary information, like the estimated travel time or, with restaurants, a summary of reviews.
If you tap on this bar, you get an "info sheet" with a wealth of information and functions, including the photographic street view of the location, interior photos, reviews, hours, menus, and the ability to phone the place or share its location. If your search is for a category, like "cigars," swiping horizontally will bring up alternate info sheets for other locations.
You can start the navigation process by tapping on a colored icon showing travel time, either in the initial small bar at the bottom of the map, or on the info sheet.
Once you choose to get directions, a list of routes pops up, with estimated time and traffic. You can switch routes by simply swiping on the bar.
Once a navigation is under way, the map is topped by a large green bar showing the current step in the directions. You can peek ahead by just swiping this bar to the left. You also can quickly call up a text list of the route.
In my tests, location and navigation were generally accurate. A couple of flubs: A location pin was a few hundred yards off, and Google put me on a freeway when local streets would have been faster. But overall it worked well.
Apple is already improving its competing app, but for now, iPhone users, my recommendation is to go with Google Maps.
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