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http://www.macnn.com/articles/12/06/23/google.may.retool.maps.app.in.wake.of.apples.new.offering/

Google plans 'amazing iOS Maps experience'

updated 07:01 pm EDT, Sat June 23, 2012

 

Google may retool Maps app in wake of Apple's new offering


After being dropped from iOS 6's Maps app, Google is apparently planning to return to the platform some time in the near future. A recent posting by Google exec Jeff Huber indicates that Google will not be ceding the iOS mapping sector to Apple and its partners, and that instead the company will be making a push with its own specially-designed mapping app.

The news emerged today in a Google+ post celebrating a new Google Street View exhibit at the Computer History Museum. In response to a comment expressing dissatisfaction with Apple's forthcoming Maps app, Huber claimed that Google is looking forward to "providing amazing Google Maps experiences on iOS."

Another user asked Huber to elaborate as to whether his comment meant iOS users could expect a new dedicated app or web-based services, but Huber provided no further details on the company's plans for an iOS offering.

In the days leading up to Apple's announcement of Google Maps' dismissal from iOS, the search giant revealed an array of new features for its own mapping software, including 3D models of major metropolitan areas, expanded user editing features, and the addition of offroad areas to its Street View function. The company also recently announced that it would significantly reduce the prices for third-party usage of its Maps API. [via 9to5Mac]




by MacNN Staff

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 Google, iPhone apps, Apple, iOS, Google MapsiPad apps

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  1. hayesk

    Professional Poster

    Joined: Sep 1999

    0
    06/23, 09:53pm | report spam | Reply |

    Good

    I use street view all the time. I'll miss it in iOS 6.

  1. glideslope

    Grizzled Veteran

    Joined: Mar 2002

    +17
    06/23, 10:03pm | report spam | Reply |

    Street View

    Privacy concerns over Street View are rapidly growing. Apple can see it coming (always thinking years ahead).

    End result? Huber is nervous, and to be honest I hope Eric is as well. The dirty two faced thief.

  1. wrenchy

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Nov 2009

    -22
    06/24, 03:28am | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    re: dirty two faced thief


    You mean like when Steve Jobs pretends to be a friend of and business partner with Steve Wozniak and then steals money from him after he lies about how much money he pulled in from the Breakout game deal with Atari?

    http://gawker.com/359590/woz-ok-so-jobs-stole-from-me-but-he-also-made-the-ipod

    You mean like that two-faced thief??


  1. facebook_Mikhail

    Via Facebook

    Joined: Jun 2012

    +1
    06/24, 08:26am | report spam | Reply |

    hope for an app

    I really hope Google releases a standalone app. Its current web-based offer is pretty much lacking and also quite a bit slow and I don't think that'll ever change.

    As for Apple's solution, though they still have a few months and things might change, believe me, the MIA Street View will be the least of your concern. You might have read that in iOS 6 the maps are lacking. Well, I though what's the big deal really but I've been trying to use these maps during my weekend trip around the country, and it was like I was traveling across a desert. No location names, no building shapes, extremely lacking road/streets info, insanely lacking information on local businesses, really weird and lacking search results..

    Now, I'm in Japan so that's probably a part of the problem. But on the other hand, Japan is Apple's 1st-tier country when it comes to releasing iOS devices, so something must not be right here. (I hear other 1st tier countries are having similar coverage as well, so it really looks like a world-wide - probably sans-US - problem)
    I do really hope Apple will _somehow_ fix all these problems before iOS 6 release in fall, but looking at how large are the clusters of missing data, it doesn't feel like a realistic hope.

    So that said, I really look forward to Google's standalone app, with Street View, transit info, detailed maps , smart search and all the goodies we're all get used to so much and are about to lose coming autumn.

  1. Mechanic

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Dec 2011

    +7
    06/24, 11:45am | report spam | Reply |

    comment title

    To me it seems that for years google has withheld key points of there mapping system for android such as turn by turn, and traffic rerouting, mass transit and other things from apple. This is one of the android advantages that is always touted by my android carrying friends and family. Now all of a sudden there willing to put this in when apple dumps them wreaks of a desperation move on there part because iOS is a much bigger revenue stream to them than android.
    I welcome competition like this but having said that the iOS maps will only get better with time and be more tightly integrated into the os. Apple has a habit of consistently improving things, to quote Steve Jobs, "We only concentrate on areas of technology where we believe we can make a difference" and from Tim Cook at the all things D conference “You can only do so many things great, and you should cast aside everything else.”

    That is why I have no doubt that Apple will improve its mapping app, as well it means less reliance on google with whom there becoming bitter enemies..

  1. Kees

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Sep 2001

    +2
    06/24, 06:34pm | report spam | Reply |

    comment title

    They're licensing a bunch of different stuff, not the least of which are Tom-Tom maps, which, at least over here in Europe, are pretty darn good.

  1. _Rick_V_

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2003

    +2
    06/24, 11:00pm | report spam | Reply |

    bring it...

    Having not used iOS 6 maps yet, I'm not about to go crying over "missing" features just yet. My hope is that iOS 6 maps is so cool, I won't miss what's missing.

    However, choice is a good thing. And clearly competition is a good thing. In this case, it's forcing both Google and Apple to try to make the best experience possible. I hope Google does bring their Maps to iOS. They obviously had zero interest in bringing their turn-by-turn app to iOS until Apple made their own.

  1. iphonerulez

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 2008

    +2
    06/25, 01:36am | report spam | Reply |

    I am also a fan of Street View...

    I use it all the time before I have to go somewhere in the city. I can familiarize myself with landmarks and such. Sometimes I just use it take take tours as if I were going out for a walk. Although I want Apple to offer its own maps and such, not have Street View would be considered a great loss. Apple should get a small army together and using various vehicles and individuals, just completely comb the city streets to build their own version of street view. 3D views are nice, but street views are more important to me.

  1. Flying Meat

    Junior Member

    Joined: Jan 2007

    0
    06/25, 12:31pm | report spam | Reply |

    I think street view is nice

    and all, but I'd much prefer a light weight and useful application than a picture of a building that was torn down months ago. Accurate directions and up to date maps are waaaayyy more important to me than X-ray apartment view (trust me, someone will go there eventually, if they haven't already) or 3d ultrasound view. :P

  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -2
    06/25, 02:18pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: @Mechanic

    To me it seems that for years google has withheld key points of there mapping system for android such as turn by turn, and traffic rerouting, mass transit and other things from apple.

    Except Apple created and made the Maps app. They were in control of what it could or couldn't do, not Google. You think Apple would allow any company to make an app that defaults on their desktop?

    Now all of a sudden there willing to put this in when apple dumps them wreaks of a desperation move on there part because iOS is a much bigger revenue stream to them than android.

    Um, desperate in what way? They're adding features Apple decided not to add, until now (probably because they feared lawsuits for bad directions). And, more importantly, what money will they gather from a maps app? Oh, right, little to none.

    I welcome competition like this but having said that the iOS maps will only get better with time and be more tightly integrated into the os.

    Tightly integrated isn't always a 'good thing'. It depends on how its used. But why in the world should a maps app be 'integrated' at all?

    Apple has a habit of consistently improving things, to quote Steve Jobs, "We only concentrate on areas of technology where we believe we can make a difference" and from Tim Cook at the all things D conference “You can only do so many things great, and you should cast aside everything else.”

    And yet they still fumble around trying to figure out how to do the 'cloud' thing, despite obvious failures. And what are they getting into? Maps? Yeah, how is that 'their thing'? And how are they making it better? Oh, by integrating what others are doing already.

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