If you’re an iOS 6 user, here’s a big reason to cheer – Google Maps are back! Google just released the Google Maps app on the Apple App Store, giving iPhone users their favourite navigation service back. With iOS 6, Apple ditched Google Maps in favour of it’s own mapping system. While the maps gave users turn-by-turn navigation, the half-baked offering left users frustrated. The availability of Google Maps for iOS will also come as a surpise to many as there were reports of Google denying the development of the maps app for iOS.
The Google Maps app for iOS has all the features you’d expect – turn-by-turn navigation, Street View service, public transit directions. The major addition this time is the voice-based, turn-by-turn navigation, which Google has never provided on the iOS. Now you will also be able to access live traffic information from across the world.
With this update, Google has also released its own Maps SDK. This is a very interesting development since it will allow iOS developers to feature Google Maps in their apps instead of the default Apple maps. Developers can also link their apps to the Google Maps iOS app.
I used the maps briefly and they sure look pretty. With voice guided navigation, Street View and most importantly, the Google Maps precision, a lot of iOS 6 users would be happy to switch over from the crappy Apple maps, unless Apple quickly addresses the issues present in its own service.
The new Google Maps app is now available on the App Store for iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd 4th and 5th generation) and iPad.
Excited much? Download the Google Maps app now.
Here’s what Google has to say about the Maps app –
Navigate your world with Google Maps, now available for iPhone. Get comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps with built-in Google local search, voice guided turn-by-turn navigation, public transit directions, Street View and more. Use Google Maps to discover great places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and reviews from people you trust. Sign in to save your favorite places and quickly access all your past searches and directions from your computer, right on your phone.
Search
* Find addresses, places and businesses around the world with Google local search.
* Discover places to eat, drink, shop and play, with ratings and local reviews.
* Sign in to sync your searches, directions, and favorite places between your computer and your phone.Directions
* Get voice guided, turn-by-turn driving directions.
* Find your way by train, bus, subway or walking directions.
* Access live traffic information in cities across the world.Street View and imagery
* View 360-degree panoramas of places around the globe with Street View.
* See inside more than 100,000 businesses worldwide.
* View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world.Simple and easy to use
* An entirely new Google Maps experience on your iPhone.
* Newly designed and streamlined interface for even easier navigation of your world.
* Use gestures to explore the map and browse results.
