Google maps are making a return to the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s App store, and can be downloaded from the store. The map app is loaded with exciting new features. Apple earlier in June launched its own map using licensed data, and Google maps were booted from the Apple app store.
But the Apple’s map received widespread criticism for numerous mistakes, which were found in search results. The Google map apps comes up with usual features, which include turn–by turn navigation, public transit directions, and Google’s own distinct street view system. The application also enables users to enjoy voice based turn-by turn driving instructions and live traffic information. The new iPhone app from Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) integrated some functionality previously restricted to Android devices. Although it may turn out to be additional advantage to Google App, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) still poses a challenge with its own launch of free map app for the iPhone.
“Google Maps, as much as any other map application, lives from the data that we receive,” project manager Kai Hansen told the BBC. “If a road is closed for the next six months, or a road was opened two days ago – these are things that somebody who lives next to the road immediately notices, but if you’re not in the area it becomes hard to know”. “The more we can give you the ability to let us know about things that are changing on the map, the more other users will benefit from that corrected information.”
He added that once operators verify these reports the changes can be made “within minutes, rather than hours”.
The new features introduced by Google are:
- Voice guided turn by turn direction, with estimated travel time.
- Indoor burlesque images of buildings that have signed up to its street view business photos services.
- 3D representations of the outlines of buildings that can be viewed from different angles.
- Vector based graphic based on mathematical lines and points rather than pre-created bitmap graphics, making it faster to zoom in and out of an area.
Another interesting development is that Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has also launched its own SDK, which will allow iOS developers to sidestep Apple’s own mapping system and get Google map in their Applications.
“The SDK features vector-based maps that load quickly, allowing users to easily navigate 2D and 3D views, rotating and tilting the map with simple gestures inside your app. Developers can also change the Google maps view to include information such as traffic conditions, and control camera positions in 3D. Access to API keys is being progressively rolled out to developers who register interest”, explained Andrew Foster, Senior Product Manager, Google maps.
Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s own software has an advantage in integration of flyover, which offers interlaced photo-realistic views of selected cities using 3D- rendered graphic within its maps app. Google also offers a similar facility. However for users it would be important to see the level of accuracy which Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) offers.
