Silly question here, but I gotta ask. What is apple map??
You mean the MAPS app that's pre-installed in your iPhone/iPad? I've always thought that's google map. I rarely ever use the maps since it doesn't really work where I live.
It was made by Google in prior versions of iOS (5.1.1 or lower) but with the soon-to-be-released iOS 6; Apple will drop Google Maps in favor of its own app designed in-house.
The new Maps is a significant jump compared to the outdated Google Maps for iOS and I don't believe that just one company is to blame for the poor implementation of the former Google Maps in iOS.
Google, as we all know, has been focused on its own mobile operating system and if I can recall correctly, I remember first "Droid" branded phone touting its free turn-by-turn voice version of Google Maps; the first of it's kind.
I'm sure that the love loss between Cupertino and Mountain View had been in full bloom due to the Android OS slowly invading Apple's smartphone share for a year or more prior to the first "Droid." Not to mention infringing with its similar GUI. But I digress.
If you take the perspective of two competing companies you ask: Why would Google want to give their gem of a feature by updating Google Maps to the competition? And why would Apple want to let Google use iOS to market themselves with such a robust version of Google Maps?
The reason why neither company did anything for Google Maps on iOS was because of the tremendous value satellite navigation gives to consumers and how deep these competitors are willing to dig into each other. Apple made a smart decision acquire, design, and build its own app because Google wasn't going to give them 3D views or turn-by-turn voice direction anytime soon. Besides, the demographic for features like that is just about everyone.
I think Apple Maps is a great start to Sat-Nav category for Apple and a huge improvement from the now banished (or temporarily removed) Google Maps in iOS. It does, however, have a long way to go to compete with Google Maps on Android. I'm not sure that it can given Google's strength in search and database. If you really want to find something, including a specific location, you don't do a search at apple.com and I, for one, can't think of any other map services I use outside of Gmaps..
Although they lack in sheer muscle; I think Apple can compete in Maps given its track record of passion for ingenuity and incredible design aesthetics (software and hardware). I truly miss Google Maps on Android but if there's one thing that can make you forget an old girlfriend; it's a really hot new one.