OK, so backing over an iPhone installed with Take Me To My Car is a little rash. I seldom suffer from app rage, but Take Me To My Car pushes me to the brink. Although the app does what it promises to do, I resent its learning curve and design choices.
To start, I’m baffled by developer Eldar Sadikov’s decision to present parking positions in Google’s Map view. Map view is helpful for driving, but it’s practically useless when working with parking lots or fields. Satellite view or Hybrid are better choices. If you can’t see your car’s position at the grocery store or airport, what’s the point?
Also, Take Me To My Car takes forever to determine a position. A semi-accurate read requires up to two minutes, and if you’re inside a parking garage, forget it. My indoor positions have been off by over a mile. That’s not the app’s fault, the iPhone has its limitations, but it’s just another frustration.
Take Me To My Car is supposed to be easier than Maps because it requires less input or “taps.” Take Me to My Car needs one tap to “park” and one tap to retrieve directions. Those same actions in Maps can take three or four taps each. I appreciate that efficiency, but in the interest of my blood pressure, I’ll eat the extra taps.
Take Me To My Car is a great idea for an app, but using it just isn’t worth the hassle. iPhone users looking for a parked car finder are much better off with Maps or something else.
