Google Maps

How to get directions in Google Maps via Siri, no jailbreak required

Cody Lee ∙ December 17, 2012

After months of rumors and speculation, Google finally launched its standalone Maps app for iOS last week. And it's been pretty popular thus far. It's currently the top free app in the App Store, and it's also listed first in Apple's featured 'Maps' section.

The app does have some caveats though. Perhaps most notably, unlike the built-in Maps app, you can't get directions in Google Maps via Siri. Luckily, a workaround popped up over the weekend that takes care of that. And it doesn't require a jailbreak...

Google Maps app could violate European data protection law

Cody Lee ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

I read an interesting article the other day by Evan Wiener on why Apple dropped Google from Maps in iOS 6. Wiener suggested that Google was withholding features, like voice-guided navigation, as a negotiation tactic to get Apple to agree with deeper Google integration, and Apple finally said enough's enough.

The well-connected John Gruber confirms that he's heard a similar story from numerous sources — more specifically, that Google was wanting to collect user data for serving up targeted ads, and Apple said no. And wouldn't you know it, it seems Google's trying to do the same thing in its new Maps app...

Chitika: iOS 6 adoption only rose 0.2% after Google Maps release

Cody Lee ∙ December 15, 2012

Judging from the comment sections on our Google Maps posts, and other feedback from around the web, it seems like quite a few people were holding out for a Google Maps app release before upgrading to iOS 6. And it makes sense, given some of the horror stories we've heard.

But according to Chitika, a large mobile ad network who regularly tracks iOS adoption rates and other mobile trends, iOS 6 adoption only rose 0.2% after Wednesday night's debut of the Google Maps app, suggesting it had no immediate impact on the number of iOS 6 users...

‘MapsOpener’ makes Google Maps the default Maps app on iOS

Jeff Benjamin ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Google Maps is back on iOS, but there's just one problem -- Apple's stock maps app still remains default, so all of your maps links will open in Apple's version instead of Google's.

Thankfully, we knew it was only a matter of time before a jailbreak solution appeared to skirt around this issue. That solution is called MapsOpener -- a brand new jailbreak tweak that forces maps links to open up in Google Maps...

Has Google just won the iOS maps war?

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 28, 2019

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEz1sSKCpIc

While most people consider the return of Google Maps to Apple's App Store an all-around positive, one observer sees the move as a 'mixed blessing' for club Cupertino. Not only is the familiar mapping application once again available, but the Android maker Google may now overshadow Apple's own efforts to make a difference in the increasingly competitive mobile mapping arena. As we reported yesterday, the new Google Maps for iOS is the top free app for the iPhone.

Indeed, Google admits the iOS app - which adds turn-by-turn directions - is superior to the Android version from a design standpoint. But for Google, returning to iOS means it also reconnects with iPhone users and a wealth of data...

Maybe Apple got what it wanted with Google Maps

Cody Lee ∙ December 13, 2012

There's been a lot of talk over the past few months about the reasons behind Apple's decision to kick Google Maps out of iOS 6. Everyone has their opinions, but it seems like the biggest factor was Google's unwillingness to bring voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, among other features, to the pre-installed app.

Fast-forward to last night, when Google Maps returned to the iPhone in the form of a standalone App Store app. It has the same beloved features like Street View and transit directions, but it now has voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, and fast-loading vector graphics. Maybe Apple got what it wanted....

Google Maps becomes the App Store’s top free iPhone app

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated December 20, 2017

Google released its native Maps iOS app last night and, perhaps predictably, already the much-expected software has surged to become the top free iPhone app on the App Store. This just goes to illustrate that competition is a good thing and how eager people have been to have that native mapping experience from Google on their iPhones.

The program features a sleek interface and features missing from Apple's in-house offering, namely the excellent Street View and public transit directions, in addition to a number of the usual features ranging from Zagat restaurant reviews and turn-by-turn navigation, local Google search and more...

Google admits Google Maps for iOS is better than Android version

Cody Lee ∙ December 13, 2012

As most of you have probably heard by now, the official Google Maps app finally hit iOS last night after several months of speculation. It's fast, looks great, and the general consensus seems to be that Google really hit a home run.

New York Times' columnist David Pogue certainly seems to like it, and he had a few interesting things to say about it in his review. The well-connected writer says that Google admits the iPhone app is even better than the Android version, and an iPad version is on the way...

Google Maps app now available in the App Store

Cody Lee ∙ December 12, 2012

As expected, the official Google Maps app has landed in the App Store this evening. The release comes following a number of rumors, which have been circulating since the summer when it was announced that Apple would be replacing Google Maps in iOS with its own in-house solution.

The app works on the iPhone and iPod touch (no iPad version yet), and includes a number of features such as voice-guided turn-by-turn directions, Google's exclusive Street View, which allows you to look at locations from street level, and public transit directions. More details after the fold...

Google to release iOS maps app tonight

Jeff Benjamin ∙ December 12, 2012

After much wait, it seems that Google is finally set to release its iOS maps app tonight.

As you'll no doubt recall, Google Maps was the stock maps app on iOS on up until it was usurped by Apple's own flavor of maps beginning with iOS 6. Of course, that didn't go down so well for Apple, as its Maps app was critically panned for being ugly at best, and dangerously inaccurate at worst.

The Apple Maps debacle got so bad that a public apology was posted by Apple CEO Tim Cook, and Scott Forstall, the man behind Apple Maps, was relieved of his duties.

Now, after months of speculation and wait, AllThingsD is reporting that Google will release its iOS maps comeback tonight...

Australian police: flawed Google Maps putting people’s lives at risk, too

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 8, 2016

Look, digital maps are imperfect - some more than the others. Australian police earlier in the week issued a public safety warning over a major flaw in Apple Maps which incorrectly put the town of Mildura in the middle of Australia’s Murray Sunset National Park.

It wasn't Apple's fault entirely as the company was working on data from The Australian Gazetteer, a company run by the Geosciences Australia agency which supplies Gazetteer with mapping data sourced from the state of Victoria itself.

And now, we learn that the police in Colac, west of Melbourne, warn of safety concerns from Google Maps. Ouch!

WSJ: Google putting finishing touches on iOS Maps app

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 11, 2018

Since Apple replaced Google Maps in iOS 6 with its own mapping solution, there's been a lot of talk regarding Google making its own Maps app for the platform. Rumors have persisted that such an app is in development.

But according to a new report this afternoon, it's not only in development, it's almost finished. The Wall Street Journal says that it has learned that Google is currently putting the finishing touches on a native iOS Maps app...