Loading...

Google Maps now available for iOS in 40 countries, including India

Loading...

Google has finally launched the Google Maps app for the iOS platform. The search giant was receiving numerous requests for the same, post the Apple maps fiasco. The Cupertino company had a backlash from disgruntled customers for its crappy maps app, which apparently led to the firing of Richard Williamson, who was in charge of the mobile mapping service at Apple.

Starting today, the search giant will be rolling out the app across the world via the Apple App Store. Initially, the new Google Maps app is available for the fourth-generation iPhone and iPod Touch, iOS 5.1 and higher versions, in more than 29 languages (such as Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish) and 40 countries, including India.

According to Google, the new app shows 'more of the map' on screen (suitable for the larger screen size of the new iPhone) and is a sharper-looking, vector-based map that provides smooth tilting and rotating of 2D and 3D views. There is a search box at the top and an expandable info sheet at the bottom that shows the address, ratings and reviews (for restaurants, etc.), images, directions and other relevant information.

Loading...

The app also has Google's map of the 'world' that includes detailed information for more than 80 million businesses and points of interest. Users can preview where they want to go with the help of 'street view' and see inside places with 'business photos'. To help you reach your destination, the app offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn navigation and live traffic conditions (to avoid jams). Plus, if you want to use public transportation, information regarding more than 1 million public transit stops is also available.

Find a video for the same below.

"It's designed from the ground up to combine the comprehensiveness and accuracy of Google Maps with an interface that makes finding what you're looking for faster and easier. To complete the Google Maps ecosystem, we're also releasing the Google Maps SDK for iOS, and a simple URL scheme to help developers use Google Maps when building their apps," wrote Daniel Graf, director at Google Maps for mobile, in a company blog post.

Loading...

So if you are one of the iOS users who has not upgraded to iOS 6 because of the maps, you can go ahead and do it now.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)


Sign up for Newsletter

Select your Newsletter frequency