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Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
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ios_6_maps_icon-150x148.jpg
The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is continuing to make progress on a standalone mapping application for iOS, working toward submitting the app for inclusion in the App Store after Apple switched from Google to its own in-house Maps app in iOS 6.
Google has distributed a test version of its new mapping app that will work on Apple's iPhones and iPads to some individuals outside the company, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Google has been putting the finishing touches on the app before submitting it for approval to the Apple iTunes store, this person said, though it is unclear exactly when that will happen.
Unlike Google's Maps app that was included with iOS 5 and earlier, the upcoming version will indeed include free turn-by-turn navigation as has been available on Google Maps for Android and which Apple provides in its Maps app.

The report also notes that Apple is continuing to work hard on improving its Maps app, with Eddy Cue taking a very hands-on approach with regular team meetings since he took charge of Maps and Siri late last month.

Google's Maps app for iOS has been spotted in alpha testing, but some Google employees are reportedly pessimistic about its chances for acceptance in the App Store. But given the plethora of existing mapping apps and Apple's promotion of the web version of Google Maps as alternative to Apple's maps while it works to improve its own service, there may be little reason for Apple to reject Google's submission.

Article Link: Google Moving Closer to Submitting Maps App for iOS as Eddy Cue Works to Improve Apple's Maps
 

Sixtafoua

macrumors 6502
May 29, 2009
374
1
Boston, MA
It kind of surprises me that it's taking this long to get this release out. It took me less than a month to make my very first app. Sure it wasn't as complicated as google maps, but I was the only person working on it, where google has thousands of employees.
 

UmbraDiaboli

macrumors regular
Jun 13, 2012
100
0
Thanks Google, please come save us from this big mess by Apple (just look at the stock price in reaction to the past 3 months...), Google, your phone OS seems more and more interesting everyday, but Apple has trapped me in its ecosystem :(
 

garethh

macrumors regular
Apr 26, 2006
114
3
UK
There are still basic mapping errors in my hometown (street names in the wrong place, street names with spelling errors in them etc) which I reported right at the launch of the new Apple app. How long can it take to correct simple things like that? I don't hold out much hope.
 

The Phazer

macrumors 68030
Oct 31, 2007
2,997
928
London, UK
The report also notes that Apple is continuing to work hard on improving its Maps app, with Eddy Cue taking a very hands-on approach with regular team meetings since he took charge of Maps and Siri late last month.

It's not showing. Maps is still an embarrassing disaster.

Maybe Cue's time would be better spent trying to stop Game Center from falling apart under the stress of Letterpress' popularity.

Please save us Google. I appreciate the need for proper testing (unlike Apple with Maps and Podcasts), but my phone is heavily damaged by this rubbish :-(
 

jon1987

macrumors regular
Jan 27, 2011
151
10
Well I read this artical and decided to check out the maps app. Haven't looked at for about a week.

I was pleasantly suprised to see that all the black and white maps of my area are now colour. There is a few more points of interest too.
Hopefully the improvements will keep coming.
 
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