This Week's Sponsor:

Kolide

Ensure that if a device isn’t secure it can’t access your apps.  It’s Device Trust for Okta.


Google Releases Maps App For iPhone

In spite of “sources at Google” claiming that Apple wouldn’t accept a Google Maps app in the App Store, Google has today released its official Maps application for iPhone. The app just went live on the App Store, and it’s available as a free download here.

Following Apple’s debacle with their Maps software for iOS 6, Google was rumored to be preparing a third-party version of Google Maps for iOS devices. We haven’t been able to test this yet, and we’ll post our impressions of the software on MacStories once we’re able to properly use the app.

iOS 6 Maps wasn’t the smoothest launch Apple ever prepared. The new mapping software didn’t meet customer expectations in terms of accuracy of POI data and amount of data itself, leading Apple CEO Tim Cook to issue an apology and promise that the company would be working “non-stop” to deliver a better Maps experience. Apple even detailed ways to install alternative map and navigation apps on iOS, also posting a guide on their website on how to save web apps (such as Google Maps) on the iOS Home screen as webclips. Apple also launched an App Store section showcasing alternative mapping apps for iOS.

Tim Cook reiterated several times in various interviews that they’re putting “the whole company” behind Maps to live up to expectations and improve performances and data. This week, the Australian police issued a warning against using Apple Maps; Apple responded by quickly fixing the error that caused some users to, apparently, “get lost”.

On the other hand, with Maps on iOS Google has an opportunity to steer users away from Apple’s solution and into their service. We don’t know yet whether Google Maps itself will live up to the hype, but if Google’s recent iOS releases (namely Gmail 2.0, Google Search, YouTube, and Chrome for iOS) are of any indication, it should be a more than decent product.

It’s important to keep in mind that, in spite of the native app, Google won’t be able to achieve the kind of integration that Apple Maps has with Siri and other iOS services. You’ll most likely be confined within Google’s own app – similarly to how Google’s improved Voice search doesn’t have the same level of integration with iOS as Siri.

Google Maps is available on the App Store. Two more screenshots below.

Unlock More with Club MacStories

Founded in 2015, Club MacStories has delivered exclusive content every week for over six years.

In that time, members have enjoyed nearly 400 weekly and monthly newsletters packed with more of your favorite MacStories writing as well as Club-only podcasts, eBooks, discounts on apps, icons, and services. Join today, and you’ll get everything new that we publish every week, plus access to our entire archive of back issues and downloadable perks.

The Club expanded in 2021 with Club MacStories+ and Club Premier. Club MacStories+ members enjoy even more exclusive stories, a vibrant Discord community, a rotating roster of app discounts, and more. And, with Club Premier, you get everything we offer at every Club level plus an extended, ad-free version of our podcast AppStories that is delivered early each week in high-bitrate audio.

Choose the Club plan that’s right for you:

  • Club MacStories: Weekly and monthly newsletters via email and the web that are brimming with app collections, tips, automation workflows, longform writing, a Club-only podcast, periodic giveaways, and more;
  • Club MacStories+: Everything that Club MacStories offers, plus exclusive content like Federico’s Automation Academy and John’s Macintosh Desktop Experience, a powerful web app for searching and exploring over 6 years of content and creating custom RSS feeds of Club content, an active Discord community, and a rotating collection of discounts, and more;
  • Club Premier: Everything in from our other plans and AppStories+, an extended version of our flagship podcast that’s delivered early, ad-free, and in high-bitrate audio.