Google Maps for iOS in Alpha Testing, Partial Screenshots and Details

[MacRumors]

Apple received significant criticism when it replaced Google Maps in iOS 6 with its own custom mapping solution. Google has since been said to be working on releasing its own standalone version to be released in the iOS App Store.

App Map [iTunes Link] developer Ben Guild has posted some early details and partial screenshots from Google's upcoming Maps application for iOS.

According to Guild, the standalone version of Google Maps for iOS is presently in alpha testing, but has some promising improvements over the old Google Maps. Guild reports that the new Google Maps is vector-based, has two-finger rotation to any angle, is "super fast" and supports the taller iPhone 5 screen.

The released partial screenshots aren't particularly revealing, but do seem to show that work is actively being done on the product. An early report claimed that Google may be targeting release by Christmas of this year. Meanwhile, Apple has been making improvements to its own Maps over time.

Article Link: Google Maps for iOS in Alpha Testing, Partial Screenshots and Details

[Loyalty4Life]

It can't come soon enough!

[gmanist1000]

Charge $.99 for it and they'll make some serious money.

[GroundLoop]

I was wondering if they were going to add turn by turn navigation just to piss Apple off.

GL

[gregwyattjr]

I hope Tim is showing this article to his Maps team...

[richard371]

Bring it on.

[drumpat01]

If it doesn't have turn by turn than its not as useful as what I already have.

[Andy-V]

Surely this would be ridiculously easy to fake, is this guy reliable?

[arn]

Originally Posted by GroundLoop

I was wondering if they were going to add turn by turn navigation just to piss Apple off.

GL

I'm guessing they will, but it will also have more ads/branding and the other things that Google wanted from Apple.

arn

[Jobsian]

An instant download.

[nfl46]

Submitted on Christmas Day
Appears in App Store during Summer 2013

[gorskiegangsta]

Blurry images = legit

[Jobsian]

Originally Posted by gmanist1000

Charge $.99 for it and they'll make some serious money.

Indeed, though I'll bet my house it'll be free.

[andyjam]

So they were able to take a few small photos of tiny blurred details, but couldn't get a photo of the entire screen...

Hmmmm...

[futbalguy]

Apples strategy to surprise Google with early release certainly seems to have paid off with Google taking so long on releasing their own app. Many are going to get over the initial issues with Maps and stick with it.

----------

Originally Posted by andyjam

So they were able to take a few small photos of tiny blurred details, but couldn't get a photo of the entire screen...

Hmmmm...

Yea, this is the weirdest leak. Why are the pictures so vague and small?

[ThunderSkunk]

I just drove 12,642mi cross country (2x) using the iOS6 maps app on the iPad as my only source of directions, and didn't have a single issue. I really expected chaos, but it's been fine. Doubt I'll bother with a second Maps app.

[elau]

Pretty sure this was part of the logic behind the Map app. Now basically Google has to compete and put in all the features like turn by turn. As a regular App store app I doubt it will give Google all the user personal information it craves.

[DotCom2]

Thank god!

[anotherarunan]

Goes to show how badly Apple screwed up their maps - when even the most passionate of Apple fans are excited for a Google app on their iPhone!

[SmokyD]

Omar's coming, yo!

[metsjetsfan]

Can apple still reject this? Or can google bring on the justice dept if that happens

[wordoflife]

Looks very nice

New UI + same good old map platform. Yay.

Originally Posted by metsjetsfan

Can apple still reject this? Or can google bring on the justice dept if that happens

They wouldn't ,,, especially after that apology letter.

[lunaoso]

I won't be downloading it. The maps app does what I need it to do. I have not had one problem with it yet. I think a lot of people are saying there is problems with it because other people say there is. I'm aware that its not perfect yet, but it does what I need it for.

[FieldingMellish]

A heartbeat download for me.

What I used a lot in Google maps was this process 1.) spotting a destination in Manhattan, 2.) seeing what the closest subway stop was to that destination; 3.) contrasted with what stop was closest to where I was standing, then 4.) figuring out what subway line would get me there; if not direct, then with the least amount of transfers. All that was gone with Apple's map. It had no subway stops no matter how closely you zoomed in.

[unobtainium]

This just shows that Apple did the right thing.

If they had stuck with the old, outdated Maps app, iOS users would still be stuck without turn-by-turn and vector graphics.

Now we will be spoiled for choice. Apple Maps will continue to get better, and if for some reason it continues to bother you, there's going to be choice. There are benefits to having so many choices for apps...it's still Apple's greatest advantage.