Now you can have Google Maps on your iPhone 5. Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) has released its new app for iPhone and iPod Touch, to soothe the fever brows of iOS 6 users.
In IT Blogwatch, bloggers seem to like it much more than Apple's new Maps app.
Your humble blogwatcher curated these bloggy bits for your entertainment.
John Ribeiro just reports:
The Google Maps app was available from late Wednesday for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch. ... Google said the free app has been designed from the ground up [and] optimized for the iPhone 5....
Apple, which had shipped Google's mapping application...replaced it with its own mapping application...in September. The application was however found to have glitches. MORE
Megan Geuss adds background:
The public outcry...was so loud that Tim Cook publicly apologized...“We are extremely sorry...and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.” ... In late November, Apple fired Richard Williamson, [the] product manager....
For now, iPhone and iPad users who are fans of Google Maps can breathe a sign of relief, but conceding to vend a Google Maps app could be seen as a blow to Apple, which has been planning to unseat Google's app for a while now. MORE
Google's Daniel Graf generates powerful interest:
The app shows more map on screen and turns mobile mapping into one intuitive experience. ... The search box at the top is a good place to start. ... At the heart of this app is our constantly improving map of the world. ...you’ve got voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic conditions....
The world around us is constantly changing and, thanks to feedback from you, we make tens of thousands of daily updates to keep Google Maps accurate and comprehensive. ... If you see something off, simply shake your phone to send us feedback. MORE
But Liz Gannes wonders if it matters:
Just the fact that the Google Maps will be available...doesn’t mean everyone will use it; the app will still be competing with Apple’s competitor, which is installed by default. But at least a few holdouts will be happy they can now finally upgrade to iOS 6. MORE
Meanwhile, Sacha Greif talks design:
The “Google Style” [is] where everything is white or very light grey, icons don’t have text labels, and typography looks like it’s been through Weight Watchers. ...it works pretty well on mobile....
In Google Maps, when getting directions your itinerary comes from the bottom up, and so does the additional details view. ... This is a great use of both axes: keep the left-right axis for switching between screens, and use the top-bottom one for providing additional info....
After Apple’s heavy-handed realism and Microsoft’s harsh minimalism, it’s nice to see that Google is also beginning to find its voice. MORE
And Tim Dorr agrees with that last point... mostly:
This is what I'm finding to be most exciting. Gone are the days of Google's barely-there, browser default-ish "designs." ... There's a visual language the company has started to adapt that...actually has a lot of thought put into it....
I don't necessarily like Metro, but the consistency...across their entire product portfolio is something that makes their alternative to Google or Apple seem appealing. MORE