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If you’re a fan of Google Maps and have an iPhone, 12-12-12 was a lucky day for you: the Google Maps app arrived in the iTunes App Store late last night. For those who had been missing Street View or were aggravated by the inaccuracies of Apple Maps, the Google Maps app will be a welcome relief.
The app brings improvements over the previous native Google Maps app, which disappeared from iPhones that were upgraded to iOS 6. The new app includes voice guided turn-by-turn directions, a feature that was conspicuously absent from the native version of the iPhone app. Google Maps app also provides public transit directions, which are not included in the Apple Maps app.
Other features of the Google Maps app include:
- Real-time traffic information
- Syncing between Google Maps on your computer and your iPhone
- Information and reviews on local businesses
- Street View, a panoramic, 360° view of locations, including the insides of buildings such as shopping malls
If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 6 because you didn’t want to lose Google Maps, your wait is now over.
The Google Maps app is free for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch in the iTunes App Store.
Are you excited about Google Maps returning to the iPhone? Were you ever frustrated by Apple Maps? Let us know in the Comments section below.
Hi Carolyn
This is a good news for all the google map lovers who work on iPhone, though I don’t use iPhone but I develop applications using google maps, so now I can get a chance to develop applications for iphone as well.
Thanks for sharing this info.
Sapna
Hi Sapna, Yes, this is very good news for iPhone users. I was so very excited when I woke up to this news this morning.
I’m glad this is helpful to you as an app developer, even though you don’t have an iPhone.
I’m sure many people will be thrilled to see the return of an improved Google Maps application. Certainly the availability of mass transit directions will be valuable for many. One reason I will continue to use Apple Maps for much of my travel is the vector graphics. Without going into a lot of detail this allows you to plot a course over quite a distance (100 plus miles) and then navigate using turn by turn directions without any internet connection along the way. This not only saves on your data plan but allows navigation where there are no cell signals.
I think having two competing apps is as good thing; of course there are many others available. I’m sure all will evolve over time in ways we can’t imagine.
Hi Gary, Excellent point. This access to Apple Maps without the need for an Internet connection can save on data usage and make the maps available when an Internet connection isn’t possible.
Now iPhone users can have the best of both worlds! Thank you for stopping by and enlightening us with this important information, Gary! (*)
Hi Carolyn
I don’t have an iPhone, but I think it was the only durable solution from Apple. I only wonder why it should take them so long to admit they have made a mistake..!
You’re right Thomas – Apple goofed. On the other hand Apple, Google, Microsoft, Samsung and numerous other Android vendors are locked in mortal combat 🙂
Three main battlefields are Search, Social Media and Mapping. This is not the last time we’ll wonder “what were they thinking?” when we see how they maneuver for the next few years. Just like the PC battles of the 80s there are likely to be many casualties and companies that don’t make major moves are likely to be among them. Sometimes those moves just don’t turn out as planned.
Good point, Gary. The battle between Google and Apple is intense, but not as intense as it could be. So far Apple hasn’t brought any patent infringement claims against Google, just against Android device manufacturers. If Google wanted to get down and dirty with Apple, it could have withheld a Google Maps app from iOS so that fans of Google Maps would be lured to Android devices.
You’re right, it will be interesting to see how the battles progress in Search, Social Media and Mapping, and also with devices and operating systems.
Hi again,
I don’t think Google would consider not supplying maps for Apple. They make money off of advertising and cutting several hundred million iPhone/iPad users out of their potential market to spite Apple would be a big mistake. That’s why they jumped right in to offer an improved Google Maps to Apple this week. I don’t think many Apple users would jump to Android just because of the map issue – they’re not that fickle :-). After all there are many other map apps available for iOS.
Really great topic – keep ’em coming.
Gary
Excellent point, Gary. Google makes money off of Apple with search, YouTube, and maps. Why be spiteful when there is money to be made?
Yes, you would have to be a pretty big fan of Google Maps to switch to Android just for that reason. You’re right, I wouldn’t expect a mass exodus from the iPhone because of Google Maps, or the lack thereof.
Hi Thomas, You’re right, Apple did make a big mistake, but it took them about a week after the release of the Maps app before Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, apologized. http://www.apple.com/letter-from-tim-cook-on-maps/
Google Maps are so very good that it was difficult to imagine how Apple’s maps could be an improvement that would be welcomed by fans of Google Maps.
Carolyn – You do keep regular updates and that is the reason why we love your blog. I am sure this was the most wanted app for the new iPhone users…most of them will be glad for sure now.
Hi Praveen, Thank you. This is one of the reasons I’m so glad I have a blog. When I woke up and found out this news this morning, I wanted to shout it to the world. The Wonder of Tech lets me do just that! 🙂
I am with you on this Carolyn, our blogs are our medium of communication with so many readers all over the world, it has become quite easy with this awesome domain.
You’re right, Praveen, and what a wonderful way to learn new information, from wonderful blogs such as yours, TechIvy and Daily Morning Coffee! :-bd
This is great news Carolyn. I must admit that I haven’t tested the Apple maps yet, but I have read so many “bad” things about it, and I have been very satisfied with Google Maps. So, I’m going to download it right now 🙂
Thank you.
Hi Jens, Yes, even if you don’t mind Apple Maps, it’s bound to be helpful to have Google Maps on your iPhone. Whether you want Street View or public transportation, having Google Maps handy is a good idea. It’s a free app so why not download it, in case you need it someday?
This is the best news I’ve seen in a long time. I saw the tweet about your post and downloaded it before I even clicked. I knew it was coming last night, but forgot. I’m so glad to have it back on my phone. The Apocalypse may come now, as the universe now seems to be back in balance.
Excellent point, Brian. If the world ends next week, then none of this will really matter!
Hey Carolyn
I use Tom Tom Western Europe when I’m travelling and I wish Google Maps had had the voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions from the start. It would have saved me a few pounds!
The one thing I’m really struggling with at the moment is to find a in-car holder for my phone when I’m using it as a Sat Nav. I’ve tried a few and they just aren’t very successful. I’m not sure if that’s something you’ve looked at before?
Hi Tim, I used a TomTom Sat Nav Western Europe when I lived in England. My husband put the voice of John Cleese on the device which was a lot of fun!
I found a car mount for the iPhone 4S on Amazon.co.uk for £8. It’s rated 5***** so I’m thinking it’s good, even though I haven’t tested it myself. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mount-Dedicated-Apple-iPhone-Holder/dp/B005XYBDI6/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1355536724&sr=1-6
I hope it works well for you, Tim!
Carolyn,
Yes..Indeed.! This is great news for Google Map lovers. When the new IPhone5 got released the first negative word starts with map issue and Apple took a right move now to put a full stop on it.
I like the way Apple could change their policy to keep it flexible, to return Google map and wonderful decision has made in the view of business growth..!
Thanks for your IPhone related follow up Carolyn. 🙂
Hi Manickam, Great point. Apple was smart to admit their mistake quickly and approve the Google Maps app to keep their customers happy. Now people can upgrade to iOS 6 without worrying about missing Google Maps. 🙂
I wanted to have this Google apps on my Iphone. I mean upcoming Iphone to be given to me next year.
Hi Julia, Welcome to The Wonder of Tech! I hope you do get this app on your new iPhone next year. 🙂
Hi Carolyn,
Obviously my friends were excited 🙂
Apple should have done this before they start killing reputation by offering buggy Apple Maps even without going through proper test cases in Software Engineering process.
I agree that Apple has better approach by offering their own competitive app for maps, but first off users, no? 🙂 My friends used to use Apple switch to Android since 4S and after hearing about Maps issue.
Cheers…
Hi Mayura, Yes, it was shocking that Apple released such a buggy version of its Maps app. Not only was the app buggy but it replaced a native app that was widely praised and full of features. It’s not surprising there was an outcry.
I don’t know of anyone who moved to Android from iPhone based on the Apple Maps fiasco, but now that Google Maps is back on the iPhone, better tan ever, people can have a choice of smartphones with Google Maps.
This is a good news for all the google map lovers who work on iPhone, I think this was the most wanted app for the new iPhone users. Good blog as usual, thanks a lot for your regular update. Good post, thanks for sharing.
Hi David, Thank you for your kind words. I do believe you’re right, Google Maps was probably the most desired app that was missing from the iPhone. The same day it was launched, Google Maps shot up the the most popular free app in the iTunes App Store.