Google launches Maps for iOS

In the wake of the problems surrounding Apple’s own Maps application Google has now launched its own mapping app for the iOS platform.

Although Google Maps was preinstalled on previous versions of the iOS platform, Google did not offer a version of its app for the latest iteration, iOS6. Instead Apple, having dispensed with a native installation of Google Maps, created its own mapping application in a move to take more control of the assets on its devices.

The plan backfired, however, and several glitches in the app were exposed. Apple CEO Tim Cook conceded that users are better off using rival services, and apologised for the glitches in the Cupertino firm’s own offering.

Google has now responded to Apple users calling out for the reintroduction of the firm’s Maps app by rolling out a free Google Maps for iOS6 app in more than 40 countries and 29 languages via Apple’s App Store.

“The app shows more map on screen and turns mobile mapping into one intuitive experience,” explained Daniel Graf, director at 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.”

He added that the app offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic conditions and more than one million public transit stops.

The firm has also released the Google Maps SDK for iOS, and a simple URL scheme to help developers use Google Maps when building their apps.