Kevin Bostic
In the midst of its Google I/O developer conference, the search giant showed off a redesigned version of its popular mapping app, one that will heighten the competition for Maps supremacy on Apple's iOS mobile platform.
The new Google Maps features a number of user interface design, resulting in a cleaner look to the app, which is visible not only in the mobile versions, but also on the desktop version. Google also leveraged its acquisition of the Zagat rating service in order to integrate ratings into the Maps experience. Maps now has a five-point rating system instead of the previous four-point system.
The new Maps also features improved live incident coverage for traffic and transit. The app will continually update in order to show users traffic incidents, suggesting alternate routes as conditions shift in real-time.
Google also announced a new, tablet-centric build of its Maps app. That version will give larger, rich content with suggestions on activities in a specific area, as well as a user interface that takes advantage of the increased screen real estate available on tablets.
The iOS version of the new Google Maps will mark a continuation of the competition between Apple and Google in the location services segment.
After Apple dropped Google Maps as the default option in its iOS, the Cupertino company launched its own app integrating the features Google had been holding back on. The new app, though, lacked much of the polish and detail that had made Google Maps the leader in its segment, and — despite Apple's continuing efforts to improve the quality and accuracy of its app — it was plagued by complaints.
The Google rep on stage nodded to Apple's struggles in the maps arena, drawing a laugh from the crowd when he noted that Google's maps were "above all: accurate."
Charles Martin
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
Wesley Hilliard
60 Comments
When and where to we get this to try it?
Hey look. It's Apple Maps with more detail.
Google steals again.
So now that Cook & Co tipped its strategy that there "is no there, there" until an unspecified date in Q3, Google has decided to bend Apple over and uh -- oh, you get the picture. A few Google blurbs and AAPL drops 10% in 2 days in a up market... A great CEO Tim Cook surely isn't!
I was amazed recently when checking my ipod touch apple maps to see if it had perchance kept in memory the local area, that not only did it have the maps but it was also tracking my progress as I was walking in the street as if it was a gps. I was not connected to any wi fi and the tracking was perfectly accurate. How it does this I do not know. Google maps were blank. Not only that but when I have compared the two products side by side the Apple maps are more elegant, easier to read and they have better and more accurate searching in my limited experience. I have no doubt that Apple are heading in a good direction. At the moment it is the visual appeal of the Apple maps that makes me use them over Google.
Hey look. It's Apple Maps with more detail.
Google steals again.
Ugh, so defensive....