Standalone Google Maps App for iOS Now Available on App Store
Google Maps, the app that Apple kicked out of its iOS system because it wanted to replace it with its own Maps app, is back. You can now get Google Maps as a standalone iOS app – for free, of course.
There was a time when Google Maps was the default maps app on Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. The love affair between Google and Apple came to an end when Apple came up with its own maps app – so when iOS 6 was rolled out, Google Maps was replaced with iOS Maps.
Prior to the release of iOS 6, Apple boasted that its app will be considerably better than Google’s offering – but that was not the case. Shortly the iOS 6 was rolled out the complaints about the maps app started to roll in. Apple eventually admitted its app was not ready for the limelight just yet and issued an official letter of apology. In that letter Apple advised its customers to try alternative map apps (such as Bing, MapQuest and Waze) or to use Google or Nokia maps (by going to their websites and putting an icon on the home screen).
The good news is that you no longer have to use Google Maps by going to the service’s website and putting an icon on the home screen. You can get the standalone Google Maps app that has just been released to the App Store (here’s the link).
“The app shows more map on screen and turns mobile mapping into one intuitive experience,” commented Daniel Graf, Director, Google Maps for Mobile. “It’s a sharper looking, vector-based map that loads quickly and provides smooth tilting and rotating of 2D and 3D views. The search box at the top is a good place to start—perhaps by entering the name of a new and interesting restaurant. An expandable info sheet at the bottom shows the address, opening hours, ratings and reviews, images, directions and other information.”
There was a time when Google Maps was the default maps app on Apple’s iOS mobile operating system. The love affair between Google and Apple came to an end when Apple came up with its own maps app – so when iOS 6 was rolled out, Google Maps was replaced with iOS Maps.
Prior to the release of iOS 6, Apple boasted that its app will be considerably better than Google’s offering – but that was not the case. Shortly the iOS 6 was rolled out the complaints about the maps app started to roll in. Apple eventually admitted its app was not ready for the limelight just yet and issued an official letter of apology. In that letter Apple advised its customers to try alternative map apps (such as Bing, MapQuest and Waze) or to use Google or Nokia maps (by going to their websites and putting an icon on the home screen).
The good news is that you no longer have to use Google Maps by going to the service’s website and putting an icon on the home screen. You can get the standalone Google Maps app that has just been released to the App Store (here’s the link).
“The app shows more map on screen and turns mobile mapping into one intuitive experience,” commented Daniel Graf, Director, Google Maps for Mobile. “It’s a sharper looking, vector-based map that loads quickly and provides smooth tilting and rotating of 2D and 3D views. The search box at the top is a good place to start—perhaps by entering the name of a new and interesting restaurant. An expandable info sheet at the bottom shows the address, opening hours, ratings and reviews, images, directions and other information.”
