Google Maps

Google submits iOS Maps app, hopes to have it approved before Christmas

Christian Zibreg ∙ September 20, 2012

Unless you've been sleeping under a rock for the past 24 hours, you are aware that crappy Apple Maps in iOS 6 provoked a very public backlash. We told you earlier today that a Google executive hinted in a brief interview with Bloomberg TV that iPhone 5 users can go download Google Maps, an unusual wording given that a rumored native Google Maps app couldn't be found on the App Store yet.

Adding fuel to fire, The Guardian newspaper reports that Google submitted the program and that it is now in Apple's sole discretion to approve it. Whether or not club Cupertino greenlights the nsoftware or throws it down the toilet over duplicate functionality remains to be seen.

At any rate, a native Google Maps experience akin to the recently released YouTube app would be more than welcome given the controversial downgrade that is Apple's in-house mapping solution in iOS 6...

Google tells iPhone 5 users to go download Google Maps

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated September 19, 2017

Apple is suffering harsh criticism over its in-house mapping solution in iOS 6 which has for better or worse effectively replaced a Google Maps-backend. Apple Maps have been called a disaster waiting to happen and even pundit John Gruber called the system a downgrade. With more than 65 percent of the world's population left with no transit directions, traffic data and street-level imagery, Apple Maps understandably drew ire from users around the world.

No wonder nearly 85 percent of our readers think Google should write a native Maps app for iOS, just as it's done with the excellent YouTube iOS app. Commenting on the situation, Google UK Marketing Director Dan Cobley asserted that a standalone app could be released soon...

Poll: should Google write native iOS Maps app?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 16, 2018

Coincidentally or not, The New York Times reports that Google will update its Maps for Android app today with new features, just as Apple is prepping to release iOS 6 for public consumption. iOS 6, as you know, drops a Google Maps-backend in favor of Apple's own mapping solution. But Apple Maps are lacking in several areas.

For example, with Apple Maps users don't get as high quality satellite imagery as with Google. Street-level photography is non-existent and transit directions are provided via dedicated App Store apps. And although Apple partners with local providers for accurate data, it currently cannot match Google, which has manpower and assets to collect its own data (and has been doing so for years).

But while Google released a standalone YouTube app for iOS following Apple's removal of the stock app, the search Goliath stopped short of saying whether a standalone Maps app is in the works for iOS devices. With this in mind, we've put together a little poll so place your bets now...

Apple Maps to integrate Russian Yandex’s data in iOS 6, report says

Ed Sutherland ∙ September 17, 2012

Google's relationship with Apple may be on borrowed time. Apple Maps, set to appear soon in iOS 6, will reportedly use a local company's data Yandex to provide location-search details in Russia. A developer version of iOS 6 will send users to Yandex.Maps for further information regarding locations.

A search of Vladimir Lenin's Mausoleum, for instance, gets "more details on Yandex.Maps application or offers to download Yandex.Maps from App Store if the user doesn't have it installed," a Russian developer now using iOS 6 tells Bloomberg.

Apple’s 3D maps look much better than Google’s

Jeff Benjamin ∙ August 9, 2012

Google, in an attempt to outshine one of the worst kept secrets in the industry at the time — Apple's 3D Maps announcement at WWDC 2012 — hastily put together its own presser 5 days in advance, to announce their entry into the "next dimension" of maps.

That's all water under the bridge now (see what I did there?), and both companies have 3D technology incorporated in their apps — Google, with Google Earth, and Apple, with Maps for iOS 6.

Obviously Apple's maps update is still in beta, and Google just recently released their Google Earth upgrade, but which 3D building implementation looks better up to this point? The answer might surprise you...

Google Earth, now with 3D cities on iPhone 4S and iPad 2 or later

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 26, 2012

Google on June 6 held a hastily organized presser to announce "the next dimension in Maps", in an effort to beat Apple's in-house mapping solution unveiling which came five days later at the company's annual developers conference in Sam Francisco.

While Apple Maps won't launch before fall, when the company is set to release iOS 6 alongside the next iPhone and possibly a smaller iPad, the Internet giant is set to beat Apple by updating its Google Earth app for the iPhone with a new 3D view later today.

UPDATE: the new version just went live on the App Store...

Amazon takes on Apple and Google, snaps up 3D mapping startup UpNext

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 22, 2018

While you were away: not to be outclassed by Apple or Google, online retailer Amazon has just entered the mapping business by allegedly acquiring a mapping startup UpNext, according to an exclusive GigaOM report. The New York-based company is behind an interesting three-dimensional mapping app for iOS devices, UpNext Maps for iPhone and UpNext HD Maps for iPad (Android and Kindle versions are also available).

Both free downloads, these programs offer both the traditional map view, but also have built-in deals and social features and offline mode. There's also a three-dimensional view with models of more than 50 cities in the United States. Something tells me the apps will soon be gone from the App Store as Amazon makes these exclusive to its own tablet...

Let the iOS maps war begin

Cody Lee ∙ June 23, 2012

One of the headlining stories of iOS 6 is the fact that Apple has taken over the Maps application. Not only did it rebuild the app from the ground up, but it also stopped using Google's mapping data.

From what we've heard, this was a long time coming. According to an ex-Google employee, the two companies have been battling for years over what Apple wanted to do with the Maps application.

So now that Apple has total control of it, the Maps war is over, right?

Check out Google’s clip showing off gorgeous 3D cityscapes in Google Earth

Christian Zibreg ∙ June 6, 2012

As we noted in our liveblog, today's Google Maps presser has brought out the much-anticipated 3D imagery that we're being told is coming to both Android and iOS platforms via the Google Earth mobile app.

And as Apple reportedly gears up to preview its own 3D mapping solution at WWDC next Monday, it's time to take a closer look at what Google's technology can do.

Well, the search giant just posted an awesome video that shows off 3D cityscapes, complete with buildings, terrain and even landscaping, from the new 45-degree aerial imagery in Google Earth. It's pretty awesome and I for sure am liking a lot where they're taking maps (apparently, I'm not the only one)...

Google Maps event liveblog: awesome 3D maps hitting iOS and Android

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 25, 2016

Not to be outdone by Apple, which according to the Wall Street Journal will reveal the souped up Maps app with own tiles and breathtaking 3D view next Monday, Google is holding a presser to announce "the next dimension in Maps". Follow our remote live coverage of Google's media event to learn about the latest in mapping technologies...

Google teases “the next dimension” of maps, should Apple be worried?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated November 20, 2017

Not content with being outclassed by Apple, Google today sent out invitations to select members of the press. The invite graphics teases "the next dimension of Google Maps". The search giant's presser takes place next Wednesday, June 6, at 9:30am, five days ahead of Apple's worldwide developers conference that kicks off with a keynote in San Francisco's Moscone West on June 11.

Looks like both tech titans are keen on taking the maps experience to the next level, which can only be a good thing for us consumers and market watchers. But As Apple debuts its own in-house mapping solution, market dynamics will inevitably change due to Apple's size, brand power and for the simple fact that Cupertino will no longer be paying fees for using Google's tiles in Mac and iOS applications and services.

Of course, it's also the question of pride...

Purported screenies show off enhanced iOS 6 Maps with breathtaking 3D view

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 29, 2012

Remember talk of Apple's enhanced Maps app thought to feature cutting-edge 3D view?

Apparently a few years in the making, looks like Cupertino is now ready to supplant a Google Maps backend with its own in-house mapping solution come June 11.

And now, screenshots from a "trusted source" have surfaced, depicting this exciting three-dimensional mapping view in action. The admittedly gorgeous photos look authentic and conceivably show off the power of a declassified missile targeting technology Apple got hold of with their 2011 acquisition of advanced 3D mapping startup C3 Technologies...