Google's newly released standalone Google Maps app for iOS users brings new features and a familiar look along with new technology previously only available on the company's own Android platform, providing iOS users with a more credible alternative to Apple's own new iOS 6 Maps app than Google's existing web app.
Just hours after reports surfaced that Google would be releasing a standalone iOS app powered by its expansive mapping service, the official Google Maps app made its way to the App Store and is available for download now.
A report from All Things D claims that the much anticipated Google Maps dedicated iOS app will be released sometime Wednesday night which, if true, would bring the internet search giant's mapping service back to Apple devices for the first time since it was deprecated in iOS 6.
Apple's iOS 6 Maps aren't alone in giving users poor directions in Australia: Authorities have also warned that Google Maps can recommend potentially dangerous routes.
Police in Victoria, Australia issued a warning to motorists on Monday, saying directions from Apple's new iOS 6 Maps app has recently caused a number of travelers to become stranded in a remote national park.
A new report sheds more light on the behind-the-scenes personnel shakeup at Apple in the wake of criticism over the new Maps application that debuted in iOS 6.
Apple has reportedly fired the executive in charge of its widely ridiculed Maps application built in to the iOS 6 mobile operating system.
It was reported on Thursday that Google is distributing a test version of a standalone iOS Maps app to people outside the company, suggesting an application to the App Store may be imminent.
Nokia on Tuesday announced it will bring a new mapping service dubbed "Here" to Apple's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Over the past two years, pundits have focused on living room TVs as the most likely new market for Apple to expand into, but evidence suggests that the company's next big step for iOS is more likely to involve the automotive market.
The second feature of Apple's new Maps is perhaps its weakest: transit information. This represents a significant change over how the previous iOS 5 Maps work, and is essentially dependent upon the availability of third party routing apps for the region you are in; these range from very good to nothing at all.
A set of images released on Sunday reveal what is claimed to be Google's anticipated Google Maps app for iOS, suggesting the internet search giant is well into the process of developing standalone software after Apple ditched its mapping services with iOS 6.
Negative headlines haven't suppressed consumer interest in the iPhone 5, which is seeing "unprecedented" demand, according to the latest survey from ChangeWave Research.
A third-party mapping app called ClassicMap, which looked remarkably similar to Apple's defunct Google Maps-powered Maps app, was pulled from the iOS App Store on Thursday after only two days of availability.
Microsoft announced in a German court today that it would be expanding its patent infringement case against Motorola to include Google, specifically targeting the search giant's maps service for Android.
Six iOS app developers claim they warned Apple of inadequacies found in iOS Maps shortly after receiving the first pre-release version in June, giving the company months of lead time to fix the apparent problems before the app debuted in iOS 6.
The first feature of Apple's new Maps is perhaps its strongest: its presentation of 2D and 3D road maps and satellite images. This is a major leap over how the previous iOS 5 Maps work, although there are still reasons you might want to consult other iOS apps for map information.
This week Apple began quietly enhancing the 3D Flyover feature of its new iOS 6 Maps application, giving users updated images with more accurate recreations.
Vector maps in iOS 6 are so efficient that Apple can cache a very large surrounding area for offline browsing and GPS navigation when traveling outside of WiFi or mobile data coverage.
Apple's new Maps service in iOS 6 isn't the only option for obtaining maps, directions, traffic information, local search and area visualizations. Here's a look at how it and various third party mapping options for iOS users compare.
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Daniel Eran Dilger
Mikey Campbell
Sam Oliver
AppleInsider Staff
Neil Hughes
