Average Rating: Rate this article:

Google Prepping Maps App for iOS 6, Reported in Beta By Barry Levine November 17, 2012 8:26AM     When iOS 6 emerged in mid-September, Apple's Maps app replaced Google's, apparently part of the ongoing competition between the two giants. But Apple's Maps has received so many complaints and bad reviews that Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a rare apology to customers. Whether Apple would accept a rival Google Maps app for its App Store is unknown.   Related Topics Apple Maps Google Maps iOS 6 iPhone iPad Nokia Here Latest News What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? Reality TV's New Stars: Small Biz Soundbars Up the Ante on TV Sound Google Glass Raises Privacy Concerns Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK Google is readying a gift for users of iOS 6 devices. According to news reports, the technology giant is preparing to submit to Apple its Maps app for that new operating system. The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Google has distributed a beta version to testers outside the company, and is putting on finishing touches. The paper cited "a person with direct knowledge of the matter." This could set up the Battle of the Map Apps, as Google's popular application goes head to head with Apple's new, poorly received one. But acceptance on Apple's platform is not yet assured for Google. Apple-originated apps cannot be deleted, so Google's app would have to co-exist. Additionally, Apple is under no obligation to accept Google's offering into its App Store, and has been known to reject apps that compete with its own. Apple's Maps Fiasco When iOS 6 emerged in mid-September, Apple's Maps app replaced Google's, apparently part of the ongoing competition between the two giants. Apple had also replaced the native video player for Google's YouTube video site. Apple has claimed that it replaced Google Maps with its own because Google had been updating the version for its own mobile platform, Android, but not the one for iOS. But Apple's Maps has received so many complaints and bad reviews that Apple CEO Tim Cook formally issued a rare apology to customers. In a letter posted on the Apple Web site in late September, he said that "we fell short" of the commitment to "make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers." And, although it's not clear if it was related to the Maps fiasco, Apple iOS head Scott Forstall recently left Apple. There have been many complaints about Apple Maps' accuracy, visual quality, and functions. For instance, there simply is no public transportation component currently for car, bus or pedestrian routes. Directions cannot be edited, so that, for instance, someone might get directions to a destination and, on the way there, decide to change transportation types midway by getting out of a car to walk. Real World Accuracy Other examples of missing or inadequate data : One blogger calculated that, compared with Google Maps, street view in Apple's Maps has been removed from 41 countries, traffic information from 24 countries, and transit information from 51 countries. A graphic depiction of freeways in Oakland, Calif., shows some parts of the roads going vertically, and the location of the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. is misidentified. Search functions in the app have also been criticized, in that even large search targets -- say, Canada -- are ending up with "no results found" until Wi-Fi was turned off, for some unknown reason. The maps space is also heating up with another major effort, from Nokia. Earlier this week, the Finnish handset maker announced Here, a new brand that includes a mapping service for mobile devices using Windows 8, as its new phones are, as well as ones based on Android or iOS. Here draws on the company's extensive experience and data related to maps, is being propagated to cars and handheld GPS devices, and will offer new functionality, such as real-time data overlays on street scenes when the app is used on Nokia phones.   Based on your interest in this article, here's something that may be of interest to you also: (Why?) This article relates to the following term(s) that also match our recommendation: Ipad. (Close) Gift Suggestion: Give your favorite children the gift of an amazing adventure in reading. Check out one of the hottest new series of the year: The Mason Dexter Adventure Series chronicles the adventures of Mason Dexter, a resourceful middle-school boy who builds amazing tech gadgets and saves America from impending doom. The Mason Dexter Adventure Series is available now on Amazon.com. Perfect to read on the iPad, Kindle, Android eBook readers, or any computer with Amazon's free Kindle app. Tell Us What You Think Comment: Name: Liansong: Posted: 2012-11-20 @ 12:34am PT I am using iPhone 4, the GPS is the shame of apple. No sound, no tracing my car when driving, wrong direction. Kingi: Posted: 2012-11-18 @ 9:38pm PT Who ever changed maps needs to be slapped iOS 6 is so bad I've switched to sum sung ......... So long apple (losers) Vanessa: Posted: 2012-11-18 @ 1:51am PT Regarding iPhone 5 and Siri and Talkler. Even with iOS6, and the new iPhone 5, Siri still won'¹t do email for me. We need true email inbox management that's eyes-free. There's a smartphone app called Talkler, billed as email for your ears. It's about voice-controlled email that gets read aloud. talkler.com -- worth checking out Matt man: Posted: 2012-11-17 @ 10:31pm PT Google maps with voice directions simply works. Join the club. Customers deserve the best. Isn't that what apple s about? Martijn van der Spek: Posted: 2012-11-17 @ 8:47pm PT If you are looking for google maps on iOS6, try out 'Sparkling Maps', which had an iPhone and iPad version release yesterday. It's basically the old google maps but with streetview and turn by turn navigation. See it at sparklingapps.com/sparklingmaps. sam metoyer: Posted: 2012-11-17 @ 1:29pm PT Apple has some smart people, and, should clean up the mess themselves ... FDR: Posted: 2012-11-17 @ 12:16pm PT Sole reason for not updating to iOS 6 on iPhone is the lack of Google Maps; too important to give up. Carlos: Posted: 2012-11-17 @ 10:51am PT I wonder if Apple will go for it or not. They made a very intentional strategic move by removing Google Maps from iOS 6, so it seems like they may have other ideas in mind. On the other hand... they did later say it was a mistake. Definitely caused quite the uproar! So it will be interesting to see what they do with this "offering" from Google. > Also Visit: iPad Info Center Billions of Bytes Mobile Device Now Apple Info Center TopTechWire.com Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers are engineered to withstand drops, spills, dust and grime, and to perform in the harshest environments. Rugged reliability, low cost of ownership and accolades from reviewers are just a few of the reasons why Toughbook computers keep winning over the world's toughest users. Click here to learn more.  Apple/Mac 1.   What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? 2.   Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK 3.   IDC: Windows Phone Now in 3rd Place 4.   Bill Gates Discusses Steve Jobs 5.   U.S. Cellular Embraces the iPhone Pentagon Gives iOS 6 Security OK But only for devices issued by govt. Average Rating: IDC: Windows Phone Now in 3rd Place BlackBerry OS quarterly share declines. Average Rating: Bill Gates Discusses Steve Jobs The late Jobs is praised in interview. Average Rating:

Product Information and Resources for Technology You Can Use To Boost Your Business BYOD & MDM   Build a business case for a BYOD program. CRM Systems   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics   How Microsoft Dynamics helped mobilize retail businesses   2 million CRM success stories and counting...   Experience CRM and Business Success today with Salesforce.com.   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   Optimize CRM with Data Quality Management. More from Trillium Cloud & Virtualization   Riverbed Stingray Traffic Manager on Amazon Web Services Contact Centers   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics Customer Data   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer   See how you can benefit from Microsoft Dynamics   Free Download: Understanding the Voice of the Customer Customer Service   Improve your customer relationships with Microsoft Dynamics   2 million CRM success stories and counting...   Unlock the potential in your people with Microsoft Dynamics Data Security   Simpana® 10 software: an exponential leap forward Enterprise Hardware   The 2013 Toughpad™ tablets. Rugged, secure and built for business.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers.   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector   APC makes it easy for you to focus on business growth, not downtime. Enterprise I.T.   Brocade's mission: Making networks easier to deploy, manage, and scale.   11 Challenges Solved by Infrastructure for Small IT Environments Enterprise Software   Get critical data off paper and into SharePoint! Watch the video.   Simpana® 10 software: an exponential leap forward Hardware   The 2013 Toughpad™ tablets. Rugged, secure and built for business.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers.   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers Innovation   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector   Brocade's mission: Making networks easier to deploy, manage, and scale. Laptops & Tablets   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers. Mobile Apps   Build great mobile apps that drive engagement. Mobile Tech   Rugged and reliable Panasonic Toughbook® mobile computers Small Business   The best document scanner for you? Try KODAK's scanner selector Tech Trends   APC makes it easy for you to focus on business growth, not downtime.

Network Security Spotlight

Syrian Electronic Army Hacks Financial Times The Financial Times is the latest victim of the Syrian Electronic Army, a group that supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The U.K.-based newspaper said a blog and its Twitter accounts were hacked.   Patch Tuesday Hyper Focuses on IE 8 Microsoft on Tuesday issued 10 security bulletins that fix 33 vulnerabilities. These updates include MS13-038, which will address the Internet Explorer 8 issue described in Security Advisory 2847140.   Surge of Venture Capital Buoys Tech Security Sector With companies and governments spending billions to repel cyberthreats, a surge of venture capital is pouring into companies developing cybersecurity technologies, the front line of the conflict.

Enterprise Hardware Spotlight

U.S. Defense Department Gives iOS 6 Security OK In a vote of confidence for Apple's iOS devices, the Defense Department has given the all-clear for employees to use iPads and iPhones for work. But only those running iOS 6, and only if issued by the government.   Cisco Surges After Profit Exceeds Analysts' Estimates Networking equipment giant Cisco's net income jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter as revenue at all four of its divisions rose for the first time in a year and a half, as tech spending increases.   HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.

Mobile Enterprise Spotlight

What's in Store for Apple's iOS 7? There's been talk recently that Apple's products are beginning to coast on their glorious past. So, with Apple's big Worldwide Developers Conference opening next month, speculation about iOS 7 is heating up.   Google Glass Raises Congressional Privacy Concerns The buzz around Google Glass continues, but it's not all good. Some in Congress have questions. "We are curious whether this new technology could infringe on the privacy of average Americans," their letter to Google says.   Windows Phone Now No. 3 in Market, BlackBerry No. 4 Has Microsoft Phone moved into a coveted though distant third place for smartphone platforms behind Google's Android and Apple's iOS? A new report says yes, while BlackBerry has slipped to No. 4.

Enterprise Technology Spotlight

U.S. Could Use Cyberattack on Syrian Air Defenses The Pentagon has cyberattack capabilities that allow the U.S. military to help blind Syrian air defenses without firing a shot -- abilities central to a debate over whether to intervene in the 2-year-old civil war.   HP and SAP Team To Advance HANA Database Technology The two tech leaders are working on a system that SAP says could fundamentally change the database market. HANA is SAP's technology that keeps data in-memory, for super fast processing.   Cloud Computing Gains Another Competitor with Google Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure now have a full-on rival in Google, with its I/O announcement that it is opening its hosted Compute Engine environment for virtual machines to all comers.

Navigation NewsFactor Network Home/Top News | Enterprise I.T. | Cloud & Virtualization | Applications | Unified Communications | Mobile Tech | Hardware | Business Intelligence World Wide Web | Network Security | Data Storage | Small Business | Microsoft/Windows | Apple/Mac | Linux/Open Source | Personal Tech Press Releases NewsFactor Network Enterprise I.T. Sites NewsFactor Technology News | Enterprise Security Today | CRM Daily NewsFactor Business and Innovation Sites Sci-Tech Today | NewsFactor Business Report NewsFactor Services FreeNewsFeed | Free Newsletters | About NewsFactor Network | How To Contact Us | Article Reprints | Careers @ NewsFactor | Services for PR Pros | Top Tech Wire | How To Advertise Privacy Policy | Terms of Service © Copyright 2000-2013 NewsFactor Network. All rights reserved. Article rating technology by Blogowogo. Member of Accuserve Ad Network.