Google Maps returns to iOS as an app after Apple's removal
Once banished from Apple's iOS, Google Maps has returned to the mobile platform in the form of a standalone app.The official Google Maps app returned to Apple's App store this evening. As expected, the new free app includes turn-by-turn navigation, just like its Android counterpart, as well as public transit directions, integrated Street View, and a 3D-like Google Earth view.However, as quickly as it showed up, the app apparently vanished from the App Store. Many iOS users complained about not being able to complete the purchase, getting a message that "the item you tried to buy is no longer available." (9:05 p.m. PT update -- It's back in the store.)Error message would-be Google Maps buyers are seeing.Screenshot by Declan McCullagh/CNETCNET has contacted Google and Apple for comment and will update this report when we learn more.Early reviews of the new app appear to be positive.The app features a "beautiful interface and a lighter feel," one early user told CNET. "It has far more information when it comes to listing places like restaurants." (See video embedded below for a demonstration of the app.)Google supplied the map function to iOS devices until the release of iOS 6 this fall, when it was replaced by Apple's homegrown mapping solution. The maps were found to be rife with embarrassing errors, leading Apple CEO Tim Cook to issue a rare public apology on the subject. Apple retreated on claims that the app was the "most powerful mapping service ever" and even began promoting other maps apps in its App Store.The ouster of iOS software chief Scott Forstall was said to be linked to Cook's apology and Forstall's unwillingness to sign it. Richard Williamson, who was in charge of the company's maps software for iOS, was also reportedly fired.
Google Maps for iOS nabs 10M downloads in first two days
Google Maps for iOS nabs 10M downloads in first two days
It's no secret a lot of people have been downloading Google Maps for iOS since it came out last week, and today Google released the full numbers.In its first two days on the App Store, the software was downloaded more than 10 million times, Jeff Huber, Google's senior vice president of Commerce & Local, wrote in a post on Google+ this morning."We're excited for the positive reception of Google Maps for iPhone around the world," Huber said. "Congratulations to the Maps Team on the recognition for the passion and hard work they poured into it, for this release and over the last 7+ years."Google's Maps app quickly jumped to the top free app on the App Store after its release late last week. The software was a bit of a surprise, with reports of its arrival coming just hours before it went live.Google's app brings back some of the functionality no longer found in the built-in maps software, which Apple replaced with its own data and services as part of iOS 6. That includes Google's Street View technology and public transit directions, while also adding new features like spoken turn-by-turn driving directions and vector-based map tiles.To put the 10 million number in perspective: Apple in October said that more than 200 million users were running iOS 6, about half of the some 400 million iOS devices sold until that point. Users on iOS 5 and below continue to run Apple's mapping software that uses data from Google. Neither company has said just how long that functionality will continue.You can read CNET's full review of Google's Maps for iOS software right here.DragCloseThis content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.
It's no secret a lot of people have been downloading Google Maps for iOS since it came out last week, and today Google released the full numbers.In its first two days on the App Store, the software was downloaded more than 10 million times, Jeff Huber, Google's senior vice president of Commerce & Local, wrote in a post on Google+ this morning."We're excited for the positive reception of Google Maps for iPhone around the world," Huber said. "Congratulations to the Maps Team on the recognition for the passion and hard work they poured into it, for this release and over the last 7+ years."Google's Maps app quickly jumped to the top free app on the App Store after its release late last week. The software was a bit of a surprise, with reports of its arrival coming just hours before it went live.Google's app brings back some of the functionality no longer found in the built-in maps software, which Apple replaced with its own data and services as part of iOS 6. That includes Google's Street View technology and public transit directions, while also adding new features like spoken turn-by-turn driving directions and vector-based map tiles.To put the 10 million number in perspective: Apple in October said that more than 200 million users were running iOS 6, about half of the some 400 million iOS devices sold until that point. Users on iOS 5 and below continue to run Apple's mapping software that uses data from Google. Neither company has said just how long that functionality will continue.You can read CNET's full review of Google's Maps for iOS software right here.DragCloseThis content is rated TV-MA, and is for viewers 18 years or older. Are you of age?YesNoSorry, you are not old enough to view this content.
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