Google updates Chrome & Maps for iOS, brings improved search and sharing
Kevin Bostic
Google on Monday rolled out an update for the iOS version of Google Maps, adding contact searching and saved addresses. A separate update for its Chrome browser, gives iDevice users improved search functionality and browser navigation, as well as better sharing features.
Google Maps version 1.1 brings the ability to search Google Contacts and to sign in to have saved addresses show up when searching for friends and family by name. It also brings the ability to search for local places by category, such as restaurant, bar, cafe, etc. Google Maps version 1.1 is available as a free download in the iTunes App Store. The 7.6MB download requires an iDevice running iOS 5.1 or later.
Tuesday's release is the first major update for Google Maps since the software hit the App Store in December. The software was highly anticipated after Google's mapping data was removed from the iPhone with the release of iOS 6.
Chrome version 25.0.1364.86 brings the requisite stability and security improvements and bug fixes for an update. It also adds a feature where a long press on the back button will allow a user to quickly access any page in the tab's history.
Users now also have the option to share web pages using messages. Going to "Menu" and then to "Share" will allow users to share content through emails, Message, or their favorite social network.
The new version also changes the search experience so that search terms now appear in the browser's omnibox instead of as part of a longer search URL. According to Google's post on the feature, it will be rolling out in the coming weeks, so users may not notice it immediately.
Chrome for iOS is available now as a free download in the iTunes App Store. The 18.6MB download requires an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad running iOS 5.0 or later.
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21 Comments
Am I spectacularly stupid, or is it near impossible to get Google Maps to give you turn by turn directions? I'm sure I managed it once, but I've not been able to since (all it seems to do is let me "preview" a route). At the moment, I'm using Google Maps to search for places, then I'm entering them into Apple Maps for the driving directions. I so wish Apple would get the data behind the maps right, and make the search better. Their app interface is tremendous.
Chrome is awesome. I cringe when Safari opens on a link. I wish we could make a default browser a choice of our own.
Am I spectacularly stupid, or is it near impossible to get Google Maps to give you turn by turn directions? I'm sure I managed it once, but I've not been able to since (all it seems to do is let me "preview" a route).
At the moment, I'm using Google Maps to search for places, then I'm entering them into Apple Maps for the driving directions.
I so wish Apple would get the data behind the maps right, and make the search better. Their app interface is tremendous.
You're right, getting to turn by turn with google maps isn't intuitive at all. I was utterly confused the first time, and had trouble remembering what to do the 1st while after that. Apple definitely got the simplicity and intuitiveness of their app right. As for the data, I have no doubt they're investing all possible resources into it.
I wish they could parse their various data vendors and see which one had better data for a given location. In my case Open Street Maps has now been populated with very rich and accurate data for my location but Apple Maps is getting their data from some place else and it sucks.
Neither Google's maps or Apple Maps are perfect, but Apple Maps look much better (more iOS like) and for me at least, work fine.
And I don't want The Mountain View Ad Company making a dime off of me by tracking me and doing God knows what with their spam.