Many remember getting lost looking at deformed images of old un-updated maps on their iPhones and iPods when Apple released iOS 6 in September 2012. The defect in the infamous Apple Maps, although unfortunate, was taken light-heartedly and most users ended up Google maps on the web instead. The blunder was so hilarious to some users that the disastrous app was compared to the botched Spanish Fresco of Jesus Christ who ended up looking more like a child’s finger-paint picture than a restored Ecce Homo. Obviously the Apple map app that once relied on partnership with Google took a hard turn.
Since then Apple CEO Tim Cook has issued an apology to the poorly received map application, and two Apple executives lost their jobs, but now the Apple Maps app can “Ecce Mono” no more.
Today Apple users welcome Google Maps for iPhone, which has been well received compared to Apple Maps in contrast. The app was apparently downloaded more than 10 million times during its first 48 hours of availability, according to SVP of commerce Jeff Huber.
Now instead of finding a cliff when you search for the nearest Starbucks on your iPhone you can conduct local searches for your everyday places such as restaurants, cafes, bars and gas stations quickly and easily. You can also click for additional icons such as hotels, offices, pharmacies, movie theaters, grocery stores, hospitals, malls, ATMs and other surrounding attractions.
The Google Maps app now lets you search your Google Contacts within the app, if you use Google as your primary address book, and the newly added location categories in the Nearby Places feature have make it easier to browse nearby places if you find yourself in an unfamiliar area.
You can download or update the app right now from iTunes, but there's unfortunately still no iPad-optimized version available just yet. Here’s hoping for a Google Maps for iPad next.
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