Google and Apple Maps refresh

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jonherries

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#303971 24-Mar-2023 17:32

Haven't spent too much time looking, but noticed that both Apple and Google maps have quite old aerial/satellite photos of Wellington <2019.

Is that the same in other cities/towns or is this Wellington “Falling Down” again?
My reference is Motu Kairangi (Miramar peninsula)?
It seems for us here we are getting more regular streetview updates than the satellites?

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#3054231 24-Mar-2023 18:47

I live in a new development in Wellington and the satellite view in Apple Maps seems to show the development after earthworks commenced but before any construction. That would make it around mid 2018.

My parents also live in a new development in Richmond. They moved in during 2016 and the imagery looks to be at least a year older than that.

So yes, it's badly out of date in other places beyond Wellington.

Jase2985

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#3054232 24-Mar-2023 18:52

im in auckland and mine is about 9 months old on google maps

Behodar

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#3054233 24-Mar-2023 19:03

In Whakatane, Google has my old roof and Apple has my new roof. That was maybe five years ago.

A place in town burned down about a year ago and it's still standing in Apple Maps, making it ~1-5 years old.

jonherries

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#3054238 24-Mar-2023 19:43

Interestingly I checked the WCC maps page and the images are newer than Google or Apple.

Jon

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#3054245 24-Mar-2023 20:15

My parents place is many years out of date on Google earth

stick

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#3054307 24-Mar-2023 22:45

https://www.mapbox.com/contribute is quite up to date compared to Google Maps

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jonherries

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#3054362 25-Mar-2023 08:35

Interesting, Mapbox looks about the same as Google/Apple for where we are.

I was under the impression that some of this satellite imagery is much more available/cheaper now so surprised they havent kept it up to date?

Jon

Behodar

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#3054365 25-Mar-2023 08:47

Mapbox flip-flops between old and new(ish) imagery for me as I change the zoom level :)

Scotdownunder

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#3054367 25-Mar-2023 08:55

My cynical view, at least with Google, is that unless a new business is paying to appear and is in a new building then they do not pay to update maps.

The classic was the opening of the transmission gully road with Google maps still showing early stage earthworks. Apple is better but still is often out of date. A major issue in Lower Hutt is the number of new townhouses and apartments which have been build in the last 2 years but do not appear on the maps.

Chrisclarke

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#3054371 25-Mar-2023 09:22

Most councils update their imagery fairly often - they use it for compliance and planning purposes. My local council updates rural and urban imagery in alternate years. There's usually a public viewer - in canterbury, for example, there is a website (link below) which pulls GIS layers from all the respective councils. It is interesting to compare this to google and apple maps, and good to know if you're looking for more up to date aerial imagery.

Canterbury Maps

stick

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#3054375 25-Mar-2023 09:36

@Chrisclarke your link doesn't work 🙃

www.canterburymaps.govt.nz

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Chrisclarke

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#3054376 25-Mar-2023 09:41

St1ick:

@Chrisclarke your link doesn't work 🙃

www.canterburymaps.govt.nz

Oops - good spotting, and apologies!

Oblivian

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#3054409 25-Mar-2023 12:29

Satellite updates are last decade now :)

They use buzzing cessnas at low level for GIS and local outsourcing. Most of Canterbury has been being done again for last few months while sun is high and clouds are less.

Nearmap use to be a good one for Australian regions. But subscription now.

allan

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#3054434 25-Mar-2023 14:16

jonherries: Interestingly I checked the WCC maps page and the images are newer than Google or Apple.

Jon

Yes WCC contract their own fly-overs for up to date images of Wellington City.

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#3054538 25-Mar-2023 15:03

If a Council has more recent images it must just be a commercial decision whether Google licenses them. The existing Maps view includes the local Council on the copyright note. Strangely as you zoom in the Council name drops off the (c) line yet from the resolution the image hasn't changed.

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