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

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.

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"

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

OtherJesus · Feb 22, 2013, 12:21 AM

Wow google sure works fast when they are totally cut off from stock iOS.

Goes to show that they do not have our best interest in mind.

lwapps · Feb 22, 2013, 01:46 AM

Phew I was wondering when I could stop subjecting people to Apple Maps.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtherJesus

Wow google sure works fast when they are totally cut off from stock iOS.

Goes to show that they do not have our best interest in mind.

Very true! Although I do fail to see how Google profit from making a maps application which makes their competitors phone a lot more valuable.

guspasho · Feb 22, 2013, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtherJesus

Wow google sure works fast when they are totally cut off from stock iOS.

Goes to show that they do not have our best interest in mind.

Google never developed the stock iOS app, nor did Apple give them any advance warning on its demise. If Apple Maps wasn't such a disaster, I doubt Apple would even have allowed apps to use competing maps services.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwapps

Very true! Although I do fail to see how Google profit from making a maps application which makes their competitors phone a lot more valuable.

Advertising. It's Google's bread and butter. Far more valuable than Android or any of their hardware.

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.

alphaod · Feb 22, 2013, 03:12 AM

That's good, but I do hope it's a choice. I wouldn't want to be forced to use one map over the other. For example in the US, Google maps is great but in China, Apple maps seems to have more up to date maps and POIs.

tdtran1025 · Feb 22, 2013, 04:15 AM

Trying to grow from a search company

mw360 · Feb 22, 2013, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwapps

Phew I was wondering when I could stop subjecting people to Apple Maps.

----------

Very true! Although I do fail to see how Google profit from making a maps application which makes their competitors phone a lot more valuable.

The same way they profit from giving away Android for free, or Docs, or GMail.

gnasher729 · Feb 22, 2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guspasho

Google never developed the stock iOS app, nor did Apple give them any advance warning on its demise. If Apple Maps wasn't such a disaster, I doubt Apple would even have allowed apps to use competing maps services.

Since Apple was paying Google major amounts of money every year for Google Maps (high eight or low nine digits), and stopped paying a penny to Google for map data since, I doubt that Google didn't know about this.

OllyW · Feb 22, 2013, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gnasher729

Since Apple was paying Google major amounts of money every year for Google Maps (high eight or low nine digits), and stopped paying a penny to Google for map data since, I doubt that Google didn't know about this.

I thought Apple's contract still had over a year left to run when they dropped Google?

If so they must still be paying (or have paid off) Google.

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	#5
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	#8
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
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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	#3
gmanist1000 macrumors 65816 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	#4
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	#10
bluespark macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New York	Please, developers, yes!!
	0

Feb 21, 2013, 11:32 PM	#13
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	#14
bjsterilite macrumors regular Join Date: May 2011	Am I the only one that actually likes Apple Maps? :P
	2

Feb 22, 2013, 12:21 AM	#17
OtherJesus macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Napa, California	Wow google sure works fast when they are totally cut off from stock iOS. Goes to show that they do not have our best interest in mind.
	1

Feb 22, 2013, 03:12 AM	#21
alphaod macrumors P6 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NYC	That's good, but I do hope it's a choice. I wouldn't want to be forced to use one map over the other. For example in the US, Google maps is great but in China, Apple maps seems to have more up to date maps and POIs.
	0

Feb 22, 2013, 04:15 AM	#22
tdtran1025 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2011	Trying to grow from a search company
	0