With the announcement of new iPhone 5 in September 2012 ,Apple
also released its latest mobile operating system iOS 6 with more advanced
features like advanced Siri ,new 3D Google maps and more .But after its flawed
maps, complaints of inaccuracies in directions and controversies about Apple’s
software led App le CEO Tim Cook apologized for the Apple Maps fiasco. Consequently,
after 3 months a new native Google Maps apps for iOS devices was released on
December 13, 2012.Moreover, the timing was apt as it came as a Christmas gift
for many who have become quite goaded with the built –in iOS 6 Maps that Apple
offers.
Google Map app establishes functions which were earlier
restricted to Android users. It has enabled one to have higher quality map
experiences with many advanced features than before which includes:
- Extensive ,easy to use and accurate maps with built –in Google local search
- Smartly inserted menus
- Voice guided, turn by turn driving directions
- Public transit directions
- Live access to traffic information in cities across the world
- View 360 degree panoramas of places with Street view
- Maps drawn in vector graphics for faster loading
- View high resolution satellite imagery of locations around the world
Hence, the new released Google Maps is enhanced than the old
Google Maps on the iPhone. But all its credit goes to Apple to re-launch this
new impressive app .With this, Google also included a brand new SDK for
Developers and a simple URL scheme so that they can employ Google’s maps and
data on the iPhone instead of Google Maps when building their apps. It is built
on Open GSL like a game which makes it exceedingly striking and interesting. The
new Google Maps app is available free for iPhone and iPod touch (4th
gen) iOS 5.1 and higher. However, it doesn’t encompass iPad yet but surely it
will work on iPad in the near future.
Finally the efforts put for the last seven years paid off well
with this new advanced app. The vast detail in which information is exhibited
with the new swipe gestures is really remarkable. However, there are lots of
debates going on among the consumers concerning which is superior- the Apple
Maps or the Google Maps. There are few who still prefer Apple Maps as they find
it more polished and advanced. But surely Apple will soon work on its own
product to make it better .Whatever the case is, both Google and Apple has benefited
with this new development.