Google Announces Offline Maps and Navigation Coming Soon to iOS

[MacRumors]

Google has announced that the latest version of Google Maps for Android has an improved offline mode, providing access to turn-by-turn directions and several other features in areas without a reliable cellular data or internet connection. It also confirmed these features will be coming soon to iOS, but did not provide a specific release timeframe.

Google Maps was previously limited to viewing maps while offline, but this update will enable iPhone users to navigate with turn-by-turn driving directions, search for specific destinations and look up information about places, including hours of operation, contact information and ratings, while offline.

Now you can download an area of the world to your phone, and the next time you find there's no connectivity--whether it's a country road or an underground parking garage--Google Maps will continue to work seamlessly. Whereas before you could simply view an area of the map offline, now you can get turn-by-turn driving directions, search for specific destinations, and find useful information about places, like hours of operation, contact information or ratings.

Google previewed Offline Maps at Google I/O in May, and will be gradually rolling out the new features to Android and iOS users.

Article Link: Google Announces Offline Maps and Navigation Coming Soon to iOS

 

[tintifax3k]

This will be awesome for people like me who travel abroad and can download Maps beforehand!

 

[Fradley]

Can any Android users vouch for whether this is pure maps or satellite views too? Any limit (other than your device capacity) on how much you can store offline? And (last question!) - do the offline copies keep themselves up to date if the road layout changes for example?

 

[LordQ]

I can navigate without internet connection on my iPhone with Apple Maps, just load the route ahead of jumping into the car. Sadly, turn-by-turn is not quite there—at least in Mexico.

 

[naeS1Sean]

This will be great! I love Google Maps. They are always updating it with new stuff. Offline would have been helpful a year ago when I went to a concert in the middle of nowhere and was on dirty roads...lol

 

[AtheistP3ace]

Oh wow. This is awesome. Wonder how big it will be.

 

[DavidLeblond]

Coulda used this 3 weeks ago during my honeymoon in Paris. I took a snapshot of Paris on Google Maps and didn't realize until we were lost in the middle of the city that it didn't record road names.

 

[Fzang]

Does that also include public transport? If not, there's no new functionality.

 

[JosephAW]

Johnny, queue Apple announcement for iOS 10 for iPhone 7 devices.

 

[naeS1Sean]

Does that also include public transport? If not, there's no new functionality.

I must be missing something. Offline maps is new functionality...

 

[filmantopia]

Very useful if I need to change my route mid transit in the subway, where service doesn't exist.

 

[GenesisST]

Two years ago I bought TomTom for US and Canada for this exact purpose. Would love to get rid of 2GB, but then again, I have a 128GB iP6 about half-full... OCD much?

 

[taptic]

Microsoft's here app has been doing this rather well for the past couple of months now. 5 gb download for turn by turn, completely offline directions in the United States. And it has maps for almost everywhere, not just the US.

Of course I'll be happy to see which provides more information along with the maps etc.

 

[H2SO4]

I can navigate without internet connection on my iPhone with Apple Maps, just load the route ahead of jumping into the car. Sadly, turn-by-turn is not quite there—at least in Mexico.

I can do loads of things with an internet connection before the event, I’m not sure that’s what this is aiming at.

 

[avanpelt]

Apple Maps is going to be forever playing catch up, it seems. Apple should've just started paying the royalty to Google several years ago instead of being cocky and stubborn by deciding to go it alone. Heck, Apple is still trying to roll out transit directions and is doing so at a slow pace.

 

[GuyCalledPete]

I've always used "CityMaps2Go" for having offline maps. It'll be great to have it in Google Maps though!

-- Pete.

 

[kybldmstr]

Still waiting on Apple to do this. I know you can kinda preload the map before going offline but I want native support to literally "download" a map for permanent.

 

[69Mustang]

Apple Maps is going to be forever playing catch up, it seems. Apple should've just started paying the royalty to Google several years ago instead of being cocky and stubborn by deciding to go it alone. Heck, Apple is still trying to roll out transit directions and is doing so at a slow pace.

Although I don't use Apple Maps at all, I'm really happy it exists. It pushes Google to keep making it's mapping solution better. That's not to say they wouldn't have tried to improve it without Apple Maps, but competition has been known to keep businesses on their toes. In the end, consumers win by having better products.

 

[Good User Name]

Apple Maps is going to be forever playing catch up, it seems. Apple should've just started paying the royalty to Google several years ago instead of being cocky and stubborn by deciding to go it alone. Heck, Apple is still trying to roll out transit directions and is doing so at a slow pace.

Apple stopped using Google for mapping because it was cocky, stubborn, and didn't want to pay a royalty? What's the source for that info?

 

[err404]

Apple Maps is going to be forever playing catch up, it seems. Apple should've just started paying the royalty to Google several years ago instead of being cocky and stubborn by deciding to go it alone. Heck, Apple is still trying to roll out transit directions and is doing so at a slow pace.

It was never about being cocky or stubborn. It was about Google wanting access to user data that Apple wouldn't hand over. Google thought they had Apple over the barrel, but Apple ramped up their own maps and dropped Google. It's just business. Apple's model has always been to avoid being dependent upon any single vendor. Tim always has a back out plan.

 

[69Mustang]

Can any Android users vouch for whether this is pure maps or satellite views too? Any limit (other than your device capacity) on how much you can store offline? And (last question!) - do the offline copies keep themselves up to date if the road layout changes for example?

-Maps and satellite view.
-Unsure. Device capacity is probably the determining factor
-Maps update when data connection is viable. Not quite sure what you mean by road layout changing though.

 

[avanpelt]

Although I don't use Apple Maps at all, I'm really happy it exists. It pushes Google to keep making it's mapping solution better. That's not to say they wouldn't have tried to improve it without Apple Maps, but competition has been known to keep businesses on their toes. In the end, consumers win by having better products.

That's a valid point and I agree.

It was never about being cocky or stubborn. It was about Google wanting access to user data that Apple wouldn't hand over. Google thought they had Apple over the barrel, but Apple ramped up their own maps and dropped Google. It's just business. Apple's model has always been to avoid being dependent upon any single vendor. Tim always has a back out plan.

I could've sworn that I read several years ago Google was going to up what it was charging Apple to use Google Maps data and Apple decided they didn't want to be held hostage so they went their own way. On one hand, I do understand Apple's predicament; but I wish they would've held out longer while they perfected their mapping product. But that simply wasn't a viable option for Apple, I guess.

 

[winston1236]

Can any Android users vouch for whether this is pure maps or satellite views too? Any limit (other than your device capacity) on how much you can store offline? And (last question!) - do the offline copies keep themselves up to date if the road layout changes for example?

On Android the individual map you can download is 50kmx50km. You can download multiple maps if you want depending on your free storage. The map view you see when you make it offline is the one you'll see in offline mode. I've had a good experience with it but mostly use Here for long trips. The map doesn't self update and expires every 30 days so you'll have to redownload it.

 

[maxsix]

This is an exemplary example of the Wonderful World of Google!

They've done more for the mobile space, and _all_ users of various mobile devices and smartphones than any other company. Google is a true _innovator_ never letting fear of failure slow them, even in the face of the haters. Roundly criticized by the paranoid uninformed armchair quarterbacks, Google makes MY iPhone a true joy to use.

A full compliment of Google Apps and Services on board turns my iPhone from an excellent smartphone to a brilliant fast, fun filled work & lifestyle enhancing device.

Thanks Google

 

[maxsix]

It was never about being cocky or stubborn. It was about Google wanting access to user data that Apple wouldn't hand over. Google thought they had Apple over the barrel, but Apple ramped up their own maps and dropped Google. It's just business. Apple's model has always been to avoid being dependent upon any single vendor. Tim always has a back out plan.

That's a terrific warm and fuzzy story suggesting that Apple is on high. At the top of the mountain looking down on "their people" ... protecting them, Apples keeping them safe from harm.

A vast number of iPhone users actually believe this. They believe the Apple corporation is not like the rest, that Apple is not hyper focused on fat profits (as all corporations rightly do ) but more concerned with protecting their flock.

With a pile of evidence so high you can't see over it (our cash) the faithful sing Apples praises. A very impressive demonstration of the power and control of the late Steve Jobs.