Google has finally released the much sought after Google Maps for iOS – three months after the software officially went “off” iDevices soon after the transition to iOS 6. The latest version of iOS as you know doesn’t come preloaded with Google Maps as the case was till iOS 5.x. The reason being the fact that Apple introduced its own Mapping Software with iOS 6.
Apple’s journey with its own iOS Maps hasn’t been a very rosy one until now with the product being lampooned by users and reviewers alike. Apart from being “incomplete” especially when compared to the comprehensive set of features that its predecessor Google Maps possessed, the product also received considerable bad press. The latest one in Australia was a serious one in which an incorrect route shown by iOS 6 Maps led to people being stranded in an uninhabited area for over 24 hours.
Ever since news of Google Maps “going away” came to light, people were wondering if Google Maps would make a comeback to iOS in the form of a downloadable app and today it indeed has. The 6.2 MB download of Google Maps will make a lot of iOS users happy who had no choice until now – but to use Apple’s mapping solution.
Google on its part claims that the new version of Maps is a vastly improved product and that it would provide an entirely new Google Maps experience for those used to the app. They have worked on the UI and the interfacehas also been tweaked to look better
Google Maps for iOS is compatible with the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and the iPhone 5, as well as 3rd/4th/5th generation iPod Touches and the iPad. All these devices however should be running iOS 5.1 or higher.