TODAY’S SMARTPHONE USERS expect more out of their phones and maps is one of the most commonly used application for navigation. Tired of its dependence on Google for the map application on iPhone, Apple, promised a better version of maps. Apple boasted that the new Apple maps app was more accurate, smoother and faster with new features like turn-by-turn navigation and flyover view. The Apple’s new iOS 6 came pre-loaded with Apple maps as its default map application.
Complaints galore...
Within a few days, Apple’s map users experienced various bugs like misplaced locations and faulty information during navigation. Recently Australian police in Victoria termed Apple maps as ‘Life threatening’ after four people went missing using it. All around the world Apple fans were unhappy and they wanted their good old Google maps back.
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook apologised to the public for the setback of Apple Maps and said that they are doing everything to make the maps better. He greatly appreciated the feedback received from customers and added that with more using Apple maps they can make the maps better. He suggested that the customers can use alternative map apps like Bing, MapQuest and Waze from iTunes storesor use Google or Nokia maps while the Apple maps are being improved.
On 12 December Google released the Google maps for iOS 6 on Apple’s iTunes store. The new version is faster and smoother providing more space on the screen for the actual map. It provides the accuracy of Google maps, turning mobile mapping into one intuitive experience for the users. It brings a lot of new features such as turn-by-turn voice guided navigation, live traffic updates, street view and provides transit information for over 500 cities around the world. The new Google maps app also re- alculates the routes automatically whenever a wrong turn is made during navigation. Google included a cool new feedback feature in its new maps app. Google maps became the top-ranking free app in Apple’s iTunes store within 7 hours of release.
