• Google Maps now available (again) for IOS

    Published on 12-12-2012 10:49 PM
    4 Comments Comments
    Looks like iPhone users can put Galaxies away because Google Maps is now available for iOS (again).

    Finally, I have public transit guidance on my iPhone.

    Go download it and let us know what you think!
    This article was originally published in forum thread: If the rumours are true, Google Maps returns on iOS started by tendenzi View original post
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    Comments 49 Comments
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-12-2012, 10:25 PM
      and here is the link to it in the iTunes App Store https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/goog...585027354?mt=8
    1. Talkingsoda's Avatar
      Talkingsoda - 12-12-2012, 10:30 PM
      No longer available? LOL
    1. Blade_27's Avatar
      Blade_27 - 12-12-2012, 10:33 PM
      Google Maps App For iOS Reportedly Hitting The App Store Tonight {UPDATED}

      The rumor mill has been claiming for several months now that Google is planning to release a Maps app for iOS after Apple substituted Google's maps for its own in iOS 6. The latest report alleges that that app will finally make the jump from rumor to reality tonight, as AllThingsD has been told by unnamed sources that the Google Maps app for iOS will be making its way into the App Store tonight. Unfortunately, there aren't any actual details about the app itself included in the report. When asked for a comment on the rumor, Google didn't respond and an Apple spokesperson unsurprisingly declined to issue a statement.

      Shortly after iOS 6 was released to the public, users began having issues with Apple's new Maps app, including deformed images and landmarks that were in the incorrect location. Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized for the performance of the Maps app and promised that they'd get better with use, and more recently Apple exec Eddy Cue was placed in charge of Maps and fired the manager of the team so that he could install new leadership. However, none of that hasn't stopped iOS users for clamoring for an official maps app from Google.

      The details of the Google Maps app for iOS are still up in the air, it's rumored that one of the big features will be turn-by-turn navigation. Whether or not iOS users will be navigating with an official Google Maps app later tonight remains to be seen, but a report from around a month ago did claim that Google was "putting the finishing touches" on the app. We'll be sure to keep an eye on the App Store tonight an update you if the Google Maps app does indeed go live.

      UPDATE: The official Google Maps app for iOS has officially been released on the App Store. The app weighs in at 6.7MB in size, requires iOS 5.1 or higher and is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (third generation through fifth generation) and the iPad. Google Maps can be found in the App Store RIGHT HERE
    1. Shawn744's Avatar
      Shawn744 - 12-12-2012, 10:38 PM
      Not bad...I like it. It will take some getting used to though. So if I ever lose my iPhone that's running 5.1.1 I can at least have a decent maps app. No native YouTube, but hey 1 outa 2...
    1. Slinkwyde's Avatar
      Slinkwyde - 12-12-2012, 10:59 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Shawn744 View Post
      Not bad...I like it. It will take some getting used to though. So if I ever lose my iPhone that's running 5.1.1 I can at least have a decent maps app. No native YouTube, but hey 1 outa 2...
      Google's YouTube app has been available in the app store since before iOS 6 came out. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yout...544007664?mt=8
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-12-2012, 11:25 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by Slinkwyde View Post
      Google's YouTube app has been available in the app store since before iOS 6 came out. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yout...544007664?mt=8
      The app "YouPlayer" works better in my opinion, very similar to the original YouTube app bundled in iOS. Check both out if anyone is curious.
    1. mandrsn1's Avatar
      mandrsn1 - 12-12-2012, 11:26 PM
      Amazing how much better it is than the old Google Maps (and Apple's maps).
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-12-2012, 11:40 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by mandrsn1 View Post
      Amazing how much better it is than the old Google Maps (and Apple's maps).
      Like night and day from google.
    1. iridescence's Avatar
      iridescence - 12-13-2012, 01:52 AM
      I find it kind of hilarious that it's apparently better in design than the Android version. People are wondering why Google is including turn-by-turn if that was the sticking point, I think it's simple - Google sees an opportunity to show Apple up and they're taking it.
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 12-13-2012, 08:01 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by mandrsn1 View Post
      Amazing how much better it is than the old Google Maps (and Apple's maps).
      Seems pretty much Google's standard MO. First few releases are not very good, but they improve over time. Their biggest improvements happen when they are under pressure, want to show someone up or have something else as a template. I think this is a case of all three.
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-13-2012, 08:03 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by iridescence View Post
      I find it kind of hilarious that it's apparently better in design than the Android version. People are wondering why Google is including turn-by-turn if that was the sticking point, I think it's simple - Google sees an opportunity to show Apple up and they're taking it.
      No wondering here it's all rhetorical. Don't be evil they said...
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 12-13-2012, 08:04 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by iridescence View Post
      I find it kind of hilarious that it's apparently better in design than the Android version. People are wondering why Google is including turn-by-turn if that was the sticking point, I think it's simple - Google sees an opportunity to show Apple up and they're taking it.
      Yup, turn by turn was probably only a sticking point when they were the default nav app on iOS and needed to showcase Android. Now that they are only one of many on iOS, they have no incentive to handicap the app. People like to blame Apple for the Apple maps fiasco, but they always ignore that it was google's decision to intentionally handicap the iOS maps app, leaving Apple little choice.
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-13-2012, 08:58 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      Yup, turn by turn was probably only a sticking point when they were the default nav app on iOS and needed to showcase Android. Now that they are only one of many on iOS, they have no incentive to handicap the app. People like to blame Apple for the Apple maps fiasco, but they always ignore that it was google's decision to intentionally handicap the iOS maps app, leaving Apple little choice.
      I know, poor Apple for providing choice, open to competition and pushing innovation on iOS to provide a free audio navigational turn-by-turn system! Apple are such crooks! I hate them. I can't believe they had to go through all this crap just so Google can get off their *** and do what they should have done 18 months ago. Hugs and Kisses to the best maps company in the world!
    1. mandrsn1's Avatar
      mandrsn1 - 12-13-2012, 09:11 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      Yup, turn by turn was probably only a sticking point when they were the default nav app on iOS and needed to showcase Android. Now that they are only one of many on iOS, they have no incentive to handicap the app. People like to blame Apple for the Apple maps fiasco, but they always ignore that it was google's decision to intentionally handicap the iOS maps app, leaving Apple little choice.
      Nobody knows if that is true. All that stuff is pre-arranged in contracts. Just like the original iPhone could have supported MMS, but AT&T and Apple's contract expressly didn't allow MMS. Once the contract was in place and both parties were benefiting massively, there was no reason to change it. Apple may have been working on maps for a very long time and wouldn't allow google to introduce those features to the baked-in app because they knew they were going to replace it. It is way easier to replace something that you helped make inferior.

      There are many reasons for either case to be true. But there is no way for us to know. So to put all the blame on either company is wrong.
    1. Doolie's Avatar
      Doolie - 12-13-2012, 09:12 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      Yup, turn by turn was probably only a sticking point when they were the default nav app on iOS and needed to showcase Android. Now that they are only one of many on iOS, they have no incentive to handicap the app. People like to blame Apple for the Apple maps fiasco, but they always ignore that it was google's decision to intentionally handicap the iOS maps app, leaving Apple little choice.
      There were many voice turn by turn navigation apps on iOS before Android.
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 12-13-2012, 09:42 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Doolie View Post
      There were many voice turn by turn navigation apps on iOS before Android.
      indeed. But the google app was the default app. So handicapping it diminished the out of the box experience as compared to Android.
    1. Tendenzi's Avatar
      Tendenzi - 12-13-2012, 09:51 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      indeed. But the google app was the default app. So handicapping it diminished the out of the box experience as compared to Android.
      The turn by turn apps weren't free, at least not in canada. And if any were, I never saw them or they couldn't have been good.
    1. ceredon's Avatar
      ceredon - 12-13-2012, 09:58 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by mandrsn1 View Post
      Nobody knows if that is true. All that stuff is pre-arranged in contracts. Just like the original iPhone could have supported MMS, but AT&T and Apple's contract expressly didn't allow MMS. Once the contract was in place and both parties were benefiting massively, there was no reason to change it. Apple may have been working on maps for a very long time and wouldn't allow google to introduce those features to the baked-in app because they knew they were going to replace it. It is way easier to replace something that you helped make inferior.

      There are many reasons for either case to be true. But there is no way for us to know. So to put all the blame on either company is wrong.
      Indeed there haven't been any formal and public acknowledgements that this was the case, but numerous, well respected publications reported their sources confirmed this was the case. BYT, the Verge and WSJ (I think) all claimed their internal sources. Still, you are right, it is not a proven fact.

      One fact that is known is that the google provide app was falling way behind other solution. Embarrassingly so.
    1. mandrsn1's Avatar
      mandrsn1 - 12-13-2012, 10:13 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      One fact that is known is that the google provide app was falling way behind other solution. Embarrassingly so.
      That is true. But when they were allowed to create their own app, it is extremely good.

      The WSJ did claim that Google wanted to add more features, but Apple didn't want some included included. So they were left under the old contract with the crappier maps. They couldn't come to terms on a better mapping solution.

      Because it was an app that was part of the OS, Google can't do anything to update it without Apple's approval. So really, both companies wanted to update, but they couldn't agree on how to do it.
    1. Doolie's Avatar
      Doolie - 12-13-2012, 11:29 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by ceredon View Post
      indeed. But the google app was the default app. So handicapping it diminished the out of the box experience as compared to Android.
      There was no google app. The Apple Maps app used Google map data. Google isn't the only map data supplier in the world. I prefer the OpenStreetMaps project. It is open source. Try the Sobbler app.

      http://www.skobbler.com/
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