Three months after being dropped as the default mapping app in iOS, Google Maps is back. On Wednesday evening, Google Maps for iOS 6 hit Apple’s App Store. The new app has been redesigned by Google and has, among other features, voice-guided turn-by-turn voice-guided navigation and transit directions.
AllThingsD was first to report Google Maps’ imminent arrival. Google’s app has been much anticipated since Apple removed it as a default app with the launch of iOS 6 in September. Apple ditched Google Maps reportedly because Google had declined to include turn-by-turn directions in the iOS version of its app.
Apple’s own Maps app, its first-ever effort in this area, landed with a thud back in September. Users immediately complained the app offered poor directions, mismarked landmarks and bad 3D imagery. Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized for the app’s condition and promised the company would improve the app. Though there’s been no definitive word about what Apple has done to make improvements, Cook said in an interview last week that Apple has “a huge plan to make it even better.”
In the meantime, however, a third-party app from a familiar brand like Google will be welcome to iOS users. It won’t work the same as when Google Maps was the default app — addresses and map links within other apps will still launch in Apple Maps, Google Maps is at least an option now.
 |
 |