Michal Ždanský The application for the Mapy.cz portal has finally received an update, which nevertheless comes relatively late. When Apple introduced its own maps in iOS 6, which it replaced with Google's maps, users looked for all kinds of alternatives. One of them was Mapy.cz, but they did not support the Retina resolution or the iPhone 5, not to mention the application for the iPad. In the meantime, Google has already managed to release its maps for the iPhone, so for iPad. Seznam missed a great opportunity with its passivity and only came with the necessary update today.
Immediately after launch, the new Mapy.cz will ask you if you want to directly download a map of the Czech Republic for offline viewing, which will take up around 350 MB. Unfortunately, Mapy.cz expressly forces you to download the map materials. If you decline, the download link will still light up at the bottom, and a notification badge will also appear on the icon. Why, only Seznam probably knows, but it's anything but user-friendly. Since the maps are vector, browsing is not too data-intensive, so offline resources are not necessary.
The interface of the application has also changed a bit. At the top is the classic search bar, but next to it, a button has been added to display interesting places in the vicinity, which is a very interesting function for tourism. The menu always displays a photo of the place, a short description and the distance from you. After clicking on a specific place, you will then see it on the map. After all, Mapy.cz is very focused on tourism due to the fact that they also display cycle routes, tourist signs and contour lines.
You will then find only two buttons in the application - to switch between the general and aerial map and a dynamic indicator of your location, which moves along the edge depending on where you are currently zoomed in on the map. Another new feature is navigation for pedestrians, so you can plan your route in addition to your car and bike. However, don't expect any real navigation, it's really just a journey planner that shows you the individual sections on the map one by one. The update also brought a welcome speed optimization, Mapy.cz is pleasantly fast on the iPhone 5, the only thing holding it back is the loading of map tiles, which is noticeably slower than Google Maps or Apple maps.
Despite the forced download of maps for offline use, the new look of Seznam maps was quite successful. As the service is mainly aimed at the Czech Republic, it offers a large amount of detailed information, POIs and is connected to the Firmy.cz database, which has more than half a million records. Mapy.cz will also please tourists thanks to the tourist layer and a new offer of interesting places. However, the continued absence of a version for the iPad is sad, especially with the ability to download maps for offline viewing, this lack directly calls to heaven.
[app url=”https://itunes.apple.com/cz/app/mapy.cz/id411411020?mt=8″]
Of course, this is vector data. I can already see how 400MB would fit complete bitmap documents on all zooms for the entire republic.
True true, fixed.
and finally, what can be done for the iPad as well?
The worst review on jablíčkář.cz that has ever been here. We finally got OFF-LINE maps for the Czech Republic in the quality that only Seznam can offer. What did they miss? Apple debacle? Google maps where there is practically nothing for a tourist, cyclone?
They released a perfect application, extremely fast and of course in VECTORS as the list announced about two months ago.
Just read the first review on the app store.
327MB for the complete Czech Republic including points of interest, tourist routes? Is that so much for you to write that the application forces you to download something? But that's what it's all based on, what we've been waiting for for so many years!
"...maps for offline viewing this lack is a direct call to heaven." Your review is a direct call to heaven Michal.
List Thanks!!!
correction: I see you fixed bitmap to vector. the offline version makes a lot of sense because the connection in the field is still miserable and if you want to quickly determine your location, it is a huge help regardless of the speed of movement on the map when you don't have to wait for each segment of the map at a given scale before it is downloaded.
the offline version is absolutely useless. It is not possible to search and plan a route in it. The offline map is vector, so it could easily work.
This is completely useless. It's like when I'm looking for a street or a place, so I'll browse the entire CR map, a bit of a hit on the head, isn't it? I wish you a long time to kill time by searching for "your location" :-)
I have no idea why it wouldn't be possible to plan a route. 1. upstairs in the bar I will find a place where I want. 2. scroll down to its description and click on plan a route 3. on the top left click on edit and change from my location to anything else.
Calm down dude…
What did they miss? We waited 2,5 years for retina resolution, 5/3 years for iPhone 4 support. Is that okay with you?
And what if I just don't want offline maps? Do I have to suffer the glowing bar because of this? Why is the list forcing me to download them? It's up to me if I'm interested in them or not. Should I have that as a punishment, as well as the notification?
Anyway, the offline maps are nice, but I'm not going to overlook the obvious flaws for that. Otherwise, as for the quote taken out of context (it concerns iPad support), I'd rather not even comment on it...
1st paragraph. Not really the lack of retina resolution GUI, and iPhone 5 support didn't limit me. I was limited by the long loading of bitmap data in the field.
2. And honestly, is it really such a problem to download them? Does apple give you that much choice too? I don't think so, these are the take it or leave it conditions.
3. The quote was deliberately chosen so that I could use the word "to heaven" not for context. I don't know how many of you are running around town or in the woods with an iPad. Maybe instead of calling the heavens, it would be enough to politely ask on the list what it looks like with iPad support in the future.
The only thing I miss is the missing option to turn on the compass and rotate the map according to north. But that will certainly add to the list.
The last three pictures at the end of the review say it all. That's what the list brought, free. A little thanks wouldn't hurt.
Mas recht (m.) exactly as you write. They totally messed this up in Seznam. Offline is an unusable space grabber.
Michael,
you wrote it very well! I probably wouldn't have written it better, maybe I'll just add that I've had the apple in my ear for about 6 years and I always pay extra for something new!
I didn't notice the upgrade, but it didn't take it because I didn't want it and now I don't have a green bar, but I have a perfect pasquil that doesn't show the number of the cycle route or the hiking route and the icon still reports an update, but it just can't be updated even after reinstalling the application!
It's just that whoever didn't accept the transition to the new version of the maps right away (maybe he wasn't on WiFi, etc.) turned off his mobile in the evening, so now he has a problem with that!
See the post above by Peter Bajsa.
And maybe one more fact: When I'm somewhere in the forest far from home on a bike path under the trees, the aerial view is useless! I need to see where the cycle path leads so I don't leave my suitcase! The old version (they didn't let me have it) in conjunction with the iPhone4 was a blast!
Nice day!
I have been waiting for this app for so long…. until I installed Phonemaps and bought several maps to the places I went or will go. So from that point of view, I ran. Of course, I want offline maps, already because the internet connection is intermittent (I need tourist maps in the field, not in the city center; downloading Seznam's online maps was disastrous), so I immediately downloaded the complete data. (By the way – tourist maps of Slovakia are approximately the same size, but based on OSM.)
At first glance, the maps are great and they're free and all... But then I thought of comparing them with the map from Phonemaps (ShoCart) and the result surprised me - subjectively, I like ShoCart's maps better, they contain more details (forest roads, better drawn village details ). This is how the same area looks side by side: http://www.klicnik.eu/archives/3572.
By the way, about the Slovakian map - what I miss in Czech applications is the logging of the route or statistics, albeit simple. The sample is also on the website.
My conclusion: the map from Seznam is not bad, but it is lame in details. The topo layer is not detailed enough for me, I will not use the thousands of points of interest, there is no logging. The map from Phonemaps.eu are at a higher level from a tourist point of view (they look like classic military special vehicles), they allow easy searching.
The Slovak application offers add-on functions, but it falters in the map materials used - OSM is after all simpler, although they are sufficient for basic orientation in the field.
I have Phonemaps and the maps are very nice and I have bought a number, but it is a weakness compared to the current list.
On the one hand, when starting the application, the map is not displayed immediately, but you have to work hard to get to it. The map is not vector and the transitions between the layers are from disparate and often very outdated bitmap maps. The search is very limited, practically for nothing - in Prague, for example, it won't find either a street or a POI.
Hello, I just wanted to ask how route planning works? I think you can plan offline with Nokia.. Thanks
Can someone advise me how to download the offline map. When I first started it, I rejected it because I didn't have time for it and now I only have a notification on the icon, but I can't find a link to download it anywhere in the application, and I don't have the green strip in the screenshots anywhere.
Yes Peter, I agree with you, I have exactly the same problem and I don't know how to get out of it now! I'm starting to miss the old version.
So, excuse me, but to say that "the new look of the Seznam maps was quite successful" is really very embarrassing. Just like the whole article in the sense that the new maps and applications are actually nothing much.
Check the rating in the app store. Those maps are absolutely amazing. The ability to download everything offline is absolutely amazing (I don't know about you, but I have trouble using e.g. google maps outside of Prague, because it's slow to the point of unusable via edge on O2 and 3G is not available outside of big cities). Plus the links to tourist spots are absolutely fantastic.
To me, this "review" simply looks like an order from Google. You can't even be serious. It is currently the best map application for the Czech Republic without competition.
Just because I'm not praising the app to the skies, does the review sound bad? I'm sorry, but I just can't ignore that Seznam has been coughing on the app for so long, and I'm also not going to ignore the annoying green bar at the bottom. The authors state that downloading offline maps is an "option", not a "necessity", yet Maps keeps telling me to download them.
I don't know, I agree with both. The Mapy.cz update is "revolutionary" in its own way, but I also agree with the opinion "BUT IT TOOK A LONG TIME!!!"
I don't think it's the right thing to vilify the review, because we all rely on our subjective feeling, and although I agree with the review, I have to point out one important thing that was mentioned very marginally in the review. The point is that (someone please correct me) these are the FIRST fully offline tourist maps of the Czech Republic for the iPhone!!!
It took a long time, that's true, but it has nothing to do with the rating of the current version of the application. Downloading maps is an absolutely amazing feature (which everyone was clamoring for) and probably no one at Seznam expected that the ridiculous approx. 350 MB would be such a trauma for someone.