Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, Google hasn't submitted a standalone Google Maps to Apple for approval yet.
In a statement that’s sure to elicit sighs of disappointment from many iPhone users, Google’s Eric Schmidt has told reporters that the company has not submitted a standalone Google Maps app to Apple for approval, despite rumors to the contrary.
Google Maps was removed from Apple’s iOS 6 software along with the standard YouTube app, which Google has already replaced with one of its own, prompting hopes it would do the same with Maps. Apple Maps has come under fire since release for, amongst other things, errors, bugs, a lack of detail and no public transportation information.
Various sources indicated an iOS version of Google Maps was on its way, with The Guardian saying “a Google Maps app is being prepared for iOS 6, which will appear in time,” to Google themselves telling SearchEngineLand.com that its goal was to “make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser or operating system.”
Schmidt was questioned over the situation during an event in Japan, where he was busy promoting the local launch of the Nexus 7 tablet, and replied “we haven’t done anything yet” when asked whether Apple was likely to accept a Google Maps app into the App Store.
He added “We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know?” Later, as he demonstrated Google Maps on the Nexus 7, he quipped “take that Apple” while showing off the app’s capabilities. It appears The Guardian was right when it said Google was enjoying Apple’s suffering at the hands of the press and the public.
Naturally, Apple is defending its new Maps software, saying it’s “just getting started,” and welcomes all feedback in an effort to implement improvements as quickly as possible.
Without an official Google Maps app on the horizon, iPhone owners can access it using Safari, or try one of these alternative apps.
Source : digitaltrends[dot]com
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