Google Maps was downloaded 10 million times in two days according to Jeff Huber, senior vice president of Commerce & Local at Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), who announced it today using his Google+ account. The app was Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s substitute for the much-loathed Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) mapping app that was released as part of iOS6.
On Monday Google Maps was the most popular free app on the App Store, followed by Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s YouTube app, which is the 4th most popular download. Both Google services were dropped from iOS6 as rivalry between the two tech giants over their smartphones grew.
Google Maps brings back functionality iPhone users have missed since Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) booted it from the iPhone. Aside from simply providing bad directions, Apple’s mapping app lacks several of the most popular features found in Google Maps.
Huber encourages Google Maps users to share their feedback about it in the App Store. Inside the app itself, users can shake their iPhone to do this. “We’re excited for the positive recognition of Google Maps for iPhone around the world,” Huber said. “Congratulations to the Maps Team on the recognition for the passion and hard work they poured into it.”
According to Apple Insider, the current iOS Google Maps app runs on the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad, although it was designed purely for the smaller screens of the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The search engine giant is expected to release a Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Maps app designed for the iPad’s larger screen at a later date.
