Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers

MacRumors · Feb 21, 2013, 09:30 PM

When Google released Google Maps for iOS in December, it also announced an SDK that iOS developers could use to implement Google Maps in their apps rather than Apple's mapping solution.

Tonight, Google announced an updated Maps SDK that adds ground overlay support and makes API keys available to all developers via the Google API Console. Previously, developers had to register and wait to be granted access to keys.

Now that keys are freely available, it's likely that more developers will use Google Maps in their apps. Some developers may decide to allow users to choose between Google and Apple's maps, much like the recently released Sunrise calendar app.

Google has also included a sample app in the SDK that developers can use to learn how to use Google Maps in their apps and released a video (above) demonstrating some of the SDK's features.

Article Link: Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers

Evmanw · Feb 21, 2013, 09:31 PM

nice, but I still need my public transportation back that was lost when iOS 6 came out

a0me · Feb 21, 2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evmanw

nice, but I still need my public transportation back that was lost when iOS 6 came out

Public transportaion is available on the current Google Maps app. What do you mean?

dansnow · Feb 21, 2013, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a0me

Public transportaion is available on the current Google Maps app. What do you mean?

Not in every country - Australia lost it with the "upgrade"

bozzykid · Feb 21, 2013, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansnow

Not in every country - Australia lost it with the "upgrade"

What upgrade? There's been only one release of Google Maps and it has transit directions for Australia according to Google's website. Apple Maps lost built-in transit directions in the iOS 6 update not Google Maps.

gmanist1000 · Feb 21, 2013, 09:32 PM

I'm just wondering when 1.0.1 will come out. I want night-mode!

pacohaas · Feb 21, 2013, 09:58 PM

Maybe Apple should think about using this API in their Maps app

.

jav6454 · Feb 21, 2013, 09:58 PM

Oh man, this means all those Bing maps driven applications are now, bye-bye.

lamina · Feb 21, 2013, 10:17 PM

Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON.

jav6454 · Feb 21, 2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamina

Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON.

Agreed, although... I bet Google is working on something better. More real estate better interface.

Moshe1010 · Feb 22, 2013, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamina

Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON.

Why do you need Google maps for iPad? Do you need 8-10" GPS display in your car? Plug in 40" Plasma then, and get over with it.

JAT · Feb 22, 2013, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moshe1010

Why do you need Google maps for iPad? Do you need 8-10" GPS display in your car? Plug in 40" Plasma then, and get over with it.

The Mini is very similar to the size of navigation systems that auto makers will install, but vastly cheaper.

Tesla's screen is 17", although only half is usually used for navigation, making it about the size of a large iPad.

bluespark · Feb 21, 2013, 10:47 PM

Please, developers, yes!!

Fatalbert · Feb 21, 2013, 10:54 PM

Nice! Choice is good, though I'll probably be using Apple Maps except for navigation (since the iPhone 4 cannot do turn-by-turn with it, only with Google Maps).

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by jav6454

Agreed, although... I bet Google is working on something better. More real estate better interface.

I really do not like the Google Maps interface, and lags for me. But I'm really glad they brought turn-by-turn to the iPhone 4 and earlier!

RicoRich196 · Feb 21, 2013, 11:32 PM

Okay thanks Googz now can we have an update for the App itself? I wake up in the middle of the night and check the AppStore and go to sleep disappointed.

For serious:
Addresses from Contacts
Recent Searches
Massage spots with happy endings

bjsterilite · Feb 21, 2013, 11:38 PM

Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P

PantherCreek · Feb 21, 2013, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjsterilite

Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P

I like them too, but I live in an area where I have had no issues with Apple maps.

I do think that choices help foster competition, and competition between Google and Apple, albeit outside of the courtrooms, really will benifit the consumers the most.

bjsterilite · Feb 22, 2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PantherCreek

I like them too, but I live in an area where I have had no issues with Apple maps.

I do think that choices help foster competition, and competition between Google and Apple, albeit outside of the courtrooms, really will benifit the consumers the most.

Nicely put. i too haven't had any issues with it.

kenkamm · Feb 22, 2013, 04:05 PM

Can we get contacts integration please?

trunten · Feb 22, 2013, 07:52 PM

john goodman is developing for google now???

confucious · Feb 23, 2013, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjsterilite

Nicely put. i too haven't had any issues with it.

And I bet you live in the good old US of A as well.

Outside of the USA they are useless.

Just as an example, I just saw a post in these forums from someone from Fletcham, Surrey - as I also live in Surrey but didn't know where Fletcham was I used Apple maps to search for Fletcham.

The first time it came up with Fletcham furnishings near Wandsworth, then, when I zoomed out and searched again, it came up with lots of pins for businesses with Fletcham in the name and, judging by where they were most prolific, I gathered where Fletcham was.

I went into Google maps on my iPad and searched for Fletcham and it had one pin in Fletcham. Just what I wanted. I then went to street view to have a look o see what sort of place it was.

Needless to say, Google maps is my default maps as every time I think I will give Apple Maps another go it fails. Together with very poor quality satellite view and no street view means Apple Maps are so far behind I really can't see them being a viable alternative any time soon.

Turn by turn navigation? That's what I have CoPilot on my iPhone for, a dedicated SatNav is likely to remain streets ahead (excuse the pun) for the foreseeable future.

APlotdevice · Feb 22, 2013, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjsterilite

Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P

It's alright. I don't have a big problem with the inaccuracies, as Google's own maps are hardly flawless.

rdlink · Feb 22, 2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjsterilite

Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P

No, you're not. I have Google Maps loaded on my iP5, and I never use it. Apple maps works flawlessly for me. I use it in my car via Siri with the built-in bluetooth on my head unit, and it works fabulously for me.

I understand that some people have had issues with it, but I have had none, both when I was in California and now that I live in Colorado.

zorinlynx · Feb 22, 2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdlink

No, you're not. I have Google Maps loaded on my iP5, and I never use it. Apple maps works flawlessly for me. I use it in my car via Siri with the built-in bluetooth on my head unit, and it works fabulously for me.

I understand that some people have had issues with it, but I have had none, both when I was in California and now that I live in Colorado.

I used to kinda like Apple Maps, but since having Google Maps I use it almost exclusively. I didn't even make an effort to switch! The icons are just side by side, and I tap Google.

The app is in sore need of an update, though. If I type in someone's name it can't look up their address in the contacts (fail!) and it also doesn't run full screen on the iPad without a jailbreak hack.

DonutHands · Feb 22, 2013, 11:02 AM

I really gave Apples maps app a shot. I love google products but i figured it would just be easier to use the built in app of ios 6. Unfortunately it is really a terrible app. I live in los angeles, a place i would have thought would be throughly mapped and tested. When getting directions i am often directed miles out of my way and at times to completely incorrect locations. Then i open up the google maps app and it is spot on every damn time.

Feb 21, 2013, 09:30 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers When Google released Google Maps for iOS in December, it also announced an SDK that iOS developers could use to implement Google Maps in their apps rather than Apple's mapping solution. Tonight, Google announced an updated Maps SDK that adds ground overlay support and makes API keys available to all developers via the Google API Console. Previously, developers had to register and wait to be granted access to keys. Now that keys are freely available, it's likely that more developers will use Google Maps in their apps. Some developers may decide to allow users to choose between Google and Apple's maps, much like the recently released Sunrise calendar app. Google has also included a sample app in the SDK that developers can use to learn how to use Google Maps in their apps and released a video (above) demonstrating some of the SDK's features. Article Link: Google Releases Updated Maps for iOS SDK, Opens API Keys to All Developers
	0

Feb 21, 2013, 09:58 PM	#8
jav6454 macrumors G5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 1 Geostationary Tower Plaza	Oh man, this means all those Bing maps driven applications are now, bye-bye. __________________ Al MacBook 2.4GHz Late '08 \| Macross Click Me
	0

Feb 21, 2013, 10:17 PM	#9
lamina macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: From Canada, living in Seoul	Where is Google Maps for iPad? Apple Maps is cool too, but COME ON. __________________ My experience as a teacher in Korea My blog on design
	3

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Feb 21, 2013, 09:31 PM	#2
Evmanw macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2010	nice, but I still need my public transportation back that was lost when iOS 6 came out
	1

Feb 21, 2013, 09:32 PM	#6
gmanist1000 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2009	I'm just wondering when 1.0.1 will come out. I want night-mode!
	2

Feb 21, 2013, 09:58 PM	#7
pacohaas macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006	Maybe Apple should think about using this API in their Maps app .
	8

Feb 21, 2013, 10:47 PM	#13
bluespark macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York	Please, developers, yes!!
	0

Feb 21, 2013, 11:32 PM	#15
RicoRich196 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2011	Okay thanks Googz now can we have an update for the App itself? I wake up in the middle of the night and check the AppStore and go to sleep disappointed. For serious: Addresses from Contacts Recent Searches Massage spots with happy endings
	2

Feb 21, 2013, 11:38 PM	#16
bjsterilite macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P
	2

Feb 22, 2013, 04:05 PM	#19
kenkamm macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2008	Can we get contacts integration please?
	0

Feb 22, 2013, 07:52 PM	#20
trunten macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2007	john goodman is developing for google now???
	0

Feb 22, 2013, 11:02 AM	#25
DonutHands macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2011	I really gave Apples maps app a shot. I love google products but i figured it would just be easier to use the built in app of ios 6. Unfortunately it is really a terrible app. I live in los angeles, a place i would have thought would be throughly mapped and tested. When getting directions i am often directed miles out of my way and at times to completely incorrect locations. Then i open up the google maps app and it is spot on every damn time.
	0