Yes, iPhone Gets Downloadable Maps Application from Google
California: Google on Wednesday released the downloadable Maps app for iPhone and iPod Touch. The users need not access the service through their browsers henceforth. As per the statement made in a blog post by Daniel Graf, Director of Google Maps for Mobile, the new application will help the users to locate accurate information faster and easier. The features of the service include voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, rotating 2D and 3D views, street views, live traffic and transport directions.
In September 2012, Apple replaced the Google Maps application shipped along with iOS version 6 operating system with its own Maps app but received widespread criticism for its faulty performance. It created frustration among the customers for which Apple’s CEO Tim Cook apologized for the inconvenience. Apple actually blocked users from using Google Map application in their device. The new application is a standalone downloadable one for iPhone and iPod Touch users. It has smooth transitions and animations than the Android version.
Apple decided to create its own Maps app mainly to compete with its rival Androids where Google had provided turn-by-turn navigation which was absent in iPhone.It created its own Maps app with the help of partners like Tom Tom and using helicopters and planes to create city maps. When the application was released by Apple it lacked accuracy and produced false results like missing towns, places masked by clouds and so on. Tim Cook made apologies and requested the iPhone owners to use a mobile web browser to launch Google Maps until they could fix the issues in their application.
According to reliable sources, Google engineers had actually started working on the new Maps application even before Apple taking the decision to remove Google Maps from their phone in September. Brian McClendon, Vice President, Google Maps, said that the company was committed to offer Google Maps for all platforms.
Most users feel better with the downloaded Google application and they rank high the new version compared to the default previous version. However the application still lacks some of the features available on the Android phones such as directions in malls and buildings.Therefore Apple will definitely move ahead with its plan to set right its own Maps application.
