Google Maps App for iOS Finally Updated After Four Months

[MacRumors]

Following the completed rollout of App Privacy labels for its App Store apps, Google today updated the Google Maps app for the first time in four months.

Apple in December began requiring all new app submissions and app updates to include App Privacy labels, detailing the data that is collected by the app so consumers know what they're sharing.

Google didn't begin implementing App Privacy labels until February, and Google apps went several months without an update. Gmail, in fact, went so long without updating that it started giving users a warning that it was out of date, but no update was available.

Google Maps was updated with App Privacy labels in early April, and alongside Google Photos, it was one of the last apps to get the data collection details.

Now that Google Maps is compliant with the App Store rules, Google is once again able to update it. Today's version 5.65 refresh is minor in scale, offering bug fixes that improve the Google Maps app, but Google is now free to add additional features going forward.

Article Link: Google Maps App for iOS Finally Updated After Four Months

 

[smorrissey]

Aleluya....aleluya....aleluya....alleeeluyyyyy uuuu uuuuya.

Now show some love for Google News too.

 

[zorinlynx]

So much of Google Maps is server side that it probably doesn't make a big difference to Google.

 

[mjs916]

I’m curious as to why they waited so long.

it gives the impression of something to hide but I’m highly distrustful of Google so my opinion may be biased.

 

[GubbyMan]

I wonder how many months it'll take for the next update when app tracking transparency becomes a requirement.

 

[Theyayarealivin]

iOs 14.5 around the corner perhaps?

 

[WoodpeckerBaby]

The Chinese apps don’t have this problem because almost all Chinese apps are like web apps in another super app, which are bigger than Apple in China. So, Apple is not in a position to have “rules”. If one of those super apps pull out of iOS, then Apple would sell zero iPhones in China.

 

[MacinMan]

I received about three Google updates today that I've been waiting for.

Google Maps
Google Assistant
Google Shopping

Those were the last three G apps I have installed that hadn't yet received updates since before Christmas 2020.
Everything I use from Google now, has had at least ONE update this year now.

 

[Robert.Walter]

LoL Google’s likely had a robust internal debate about which spying elements they had to remove to protect brand perception vs the hit to revenue.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

iOs 14.5 around the corner perhaps?

Why would a Google update be in any way relevant to an iOS release?

 

[MacinMan]

Google's business model has never bothered me when it comes to selling info to better target ads, or provide better info for searches, etc. What makes it wrong is the fact there are people out there who will take advantage of the technology and use it in bad ways. Not saying there aren't such people at Google itself, either. I'm just saying the idea in itself isn't bad. I do agree that Google and other companies who do this though, need to be transparent, and give the use the the choice. I think this is what Apple is advocating as well, with the tracking features they have been implementing in the OS as well as the browser.

 

[one more]

This is nice, can we have iOS 14.5 now? 😉

 

[rum0rm0nger]

Meanwhile, Apple Maps for Android is... non-existent.

Not that there is even any reason for Apple Maps for Android to exist*. Google has really infiltrated so many areas of our lives that makes more sense for it to be on Apple devices moreso than the opposite.

*Edit: Or maybe there is. Are there people who go from Apple to Android and really wish they had Apple Maps (saved locations, preferences, UX, etc.)?

 

[Deliro]

I don’t use any Google services willingly. The only thing that I wish Apple Maps have that Googles does is the ability to download offline maps for certain areas.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

I wonder how many months it'll take for the next update when app tracking transparency becomes a requirement.

I’d say about 2 more months.

 

[macsareveryinteresting]

Why would a Google update be in any way relevant to an iOS release?

Because sometimes Apple releases app updates way after the developer actually releases the update. And they sometimes update apps before an update so the device is ready for the update. It always says to make sure all your apps are updated before installing a Software Update.

 

[MacinMan]

Meanwhile, Apple Maps for Android is... non-existent.

Not that there is even any reason for Apple Maps for Android to exist*. Google has really infiltrated so many areas of our lives that makes more sense for it to be on Apple devices moreso than the opposite.

*Edit: Or maybe there is. Are there people who go from Apple to Android and really wish they had Apple Maps (saved locations, preferences, UX, etc.)?

I don't use maps all that often, either Apple, or Google. From what I've heard in passing though, is Google maps is still superior to apple when it comes to location accuracy and other features. I know when I take an uber rider, they usually use Wayz or Google. I'm not sure if that's spelled Ways, or Wayze. Either way I have heard it's owned by Google as well.

 

[one more]

I don't use maps all that often, either Apple, or Google. From what I've heard in passing though, is Google maps is still superior to apple when it comes to location accuracy and other features. I know when I take an uber rider, they usually use Wayz or Google. I'm not sure if that's spelled Ways, or Wayze. Either way I have heard it's owned by Google as well.

It is spelt Waze. 🖐

 

[MacinMan]

It is spelt Waze. 🖐

Thanks, I knew it was something along those lines.

 

[99chickens]

Because sometimes Apple releases app updates way after the developer actually releases the update. And they sometimes update apps before an update so the device is ready for the update. It always says to make sure all your apps are updated before installing a Software Update.

That makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[fredrik9]

They also updated the Google Assistant app today, also after 4 months of no updates.

 

[_Spinn_]

I wonder what took so long?

 

[Davidglenn]

Will be interesting if Google Maps gets updated with the 'Waze" reporting system that Apple Maps is going to receive in ios 14.5. For many that is the reason they use Waze and why Apple Maps is incorporating this feature.

 

[Baritone_Guy]

It is spelt Waze. 🖐

It is “spelt” spelled. Spelt is a type of wheat.

 

[calstanford]

Google has long given up on anything but core search