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Google ‘not optimistic’ Apple will ever approve Google Maps app for iPhone

Monday, November 5, 2012 · 1:01 pm · 43 Comments

“Those hoping to see Google Maps return to the iPhone might not want to hold their breath,” Michael Grothaus reports for The Guardian. “Sources at Google familiar with its mapping plans say they are ‘not optimistic’ that Apple will ever approve a dedicated Google Maps iOS app. Though the app is reportedly in development and should be ready to ship by the end of the year, the sources say their plans are only proceeding in ‘the unlikely event’ that Apple will choose to approve the app.”

Grothaus reports, “While one source indicated increased hopes that the dedicated Google Maps iOS app will eventually be approved now that Apple’s maps leader, Scott Forstall, has departed the company, another was less than enthusiastic about any increased prospects, citing industry politics and Apple’s need to save face as much as possible and ‘keep moving forward in an effort to make its obviously inferior product better.’ The source also cites the present organisation of the App Store, which, to them, suggests Apple has little interested in approving an official Google Maps app… Specifically, they point to the lack of any mapping app in the ‘Find maps for your iPhone’ section of the App Store – accessible only via iPhones or iPads – that use the Google Maps APIs to call wirelessly for location, routing or point-of-interest (POI) data.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: Google’s obvious bitterness is a sign of mounting regret.

Google’s going to rue the day they got greedy by deciding to try to work against Apple instead of with them. – MacDailyNews Take, March 09, 2010

Here’s what Google’s Android looked like before and after Apple’s iPhone:

Categories: News

Tags: android, App Store, Apple Maps, Eric Schmidt, Eric T. Mole, google, Google Maps, iOS App Store, iPad, iPad mini, iphone, iPod touch, maps, Maps app, patent infringement, rueing the day, stolen product

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Comment Feed

43 Comments

KarlV

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:05 pm · Reply

Who cares really.
- troy
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:28 pm · Reply
  
  I do, sadly.
  I’m long time Mac user and I really like apple even when John Scully was on charge ( I had a Performa with TV and PC card, awesome for that time).
  Problem is that small cities like my home town were left out of details or apple chose to give priority to big cities, so the Apple Maps application still inaccurate in here.
  - althegeo
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:42 pm · Reply
    
    Obviously you don’t care that Google is watching your every move so they can best monetize their asset.
    
    I, for one, don’t want to be a Google asset.
    - mossman
      
      Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:26 pm · Reply
      
      Obviously you’re not able to recognize that most people aren’t extremists in their use (or non-use) of a tool.
      
      I, for one, want a Google Maps app as backup to iOS Maps. I, for one, want some of the details and functionality that iOS maps doesn’t have, and probably never will.
      
      And no, Gmaps in mobile Safari doesn’t cut it. Among other things, you can’t type in a contact to have their address auto-filled in the search field.
      
      No, I don’t care that Google can watch very few of my moves and searches, or popup ads. And I definitely don’t care about them including similar-named businesses in map results, sponsored or not–iOS maps ironically already gives me far more undesired business results than Google Maps ever did.
    - Troy
      
      Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:40 pm · Reply
      
      Don’t get me wrong, I do care google tracking me, but I travel a lot and I need a Backup as “MOSSMAN” said. I tried the Open Street application but is too complicated and didn’t find any location that Apple and Google maps do found.
      - Rorschach
        
        Monday, November 5, 2012 - 7:48 pm · Reply
        
        Exactly how small is your city? I know that a ‘city’ is a fairly loose concept in the US; in the UK, there has to be a cathedral for a place to be a city, (although Bath has an abbey, and there are a couple of cities which are smaller than my home town). Anyway, I digress, I recently drove 140 miles to the south coast to stay with friends, and I thought I’d use Apple Maps instead of CoPilot. Their farm is around seven miles from the nearest main road, four from the nearest village; Apple dropped a pin right by their driveway.
        I tried Google, out of interest; completely failed to even recognise their address. Not even the postcode.
        Also, Google’s satellite imagery is woefully out of date, and always has been. Maybe big cities are better, but from the time it came on-line, a bridge carrying a cycle path over the river, which was built in 1999 for the Millenium was missing, and when it was updated, it still shows a car out front that I sold seven years ago.
        Apple’s satellite view, however, is around twelve months old locally, and I was looking at an airfield north of where I live, and it shows two old 747′s parked by the main road running past. I’ve seen those two planes, and when I checked them out, I found they were moved there in June this year for the launch of a new Isuzu truck. Once the mistakes are logged and amended, Apple Maps will be equal to Google’s in roads, and far superior in satellite imaging.
        
        ThermalCurtainFailure
        
        Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 7:29 am · Reply
        
        Are you going to get to a point in your rambling post? Otherwise your are more-or-less supporting the issues raised by MOSSMAN and TROY. Any mapping application will have errors or outdated information. The problem is that Apple is depriving you of the choice to use an alternate application when you need the cover the gaps in their native app.
    - Zoram
      
      Monday, November 5, 2012 - 4:02 pm · Reply
      
      Really? What about Apple doing better job and then replacing google maps in iOS?
  - Observer
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 5:43 pm · Reply
    
    OK Troy, I’ll bite.
    
    Please tell me what “small city” you are talking about. I’m in a very small city and travel a lot and have yet to find any problems with Apple’s maps. I really want to know what city you are talking about. I just made a trip from California, Nevada, Idaho & Washington State and went through numerous small towns without one incident. Matter of fact, I found the Apple maps worked better on my phone then my laptop using Google’s maps.
    
    I need some proof because what I’ve seen so far has been absolute FUD from Google.
- DJ
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:49 pm · Reply
  
  I care a lot, as Street View is crucial, at least on the iPad; it’s also a source of fun and fascination.
  
  IOS6 has a panorama function though, so maybe I’ll take the iPhone to 6, leave the iPad on 5.
  
  A shame though, and all concerned should hang their heads in shame.
  - HTML5 Gordon
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 4:25 pm · Reply
    
    maps.google.com – street view on your iPhone and iPad via the web app.
    - thryll
      
      Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 9:43 am · Reply
      
      Unfortunately the web app is awful. It is not optimized for iOS device use, is slow and has a clumsy interface. I tried it twice and it quickly crashed. Street View is stunningly useful for traveling and a host of other uses. I am on my third iPhone and third iPad and would love the 5 and a new mini but will not upgrade iOS or devices until Apple fixes this mess.
peterblood71

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:06 pm · Reply

We don’t need no steenkeeng Googles Maps app.
- David Cammack
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:42 pm · Reply
  
  Agreed. Didn’t use it much even when it was available. I found MapQuest much better for me.
  - peterblood71
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:26 pm · Reply
    
    Yep and I have a Garmin map app too. Too many ways around this temporary issue for it to be a problem.
dslarsen

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:08 pm · Reply

Five minutes with the new iOS Maps app made the old Google Maps look so sad that one felt cheated. I can’t believe I used to drive around that that kludgy thing in my hand, one eye on the road and one eye on the GoogleMap, trying to figure out when the next turn was. Now I don’t have to look at the phone at all, just listen to the cues to turn here and there.

If the Google maps never come back, it will be too soon.
wzinc

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:08 pm · Reply

Obviously, as long is the app does what the description says it does, it will be approved. Forstall or not, why is it even a question?
- twilightmoon
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:14 pm · Reply
  
  False. Apple will not allow any Apps that violate their developer agreements, and I’m not going to be surprised if Google violates a few of these and then cries “unfair competition” when Apple denies the App.
  
  Personally I am glad Google Maps are off my iPhone, the built in map is far superior. Google Maps are ONLY better for areas where Apple lacks data in some countries outside the US. That will only be a very short lived advantaged and I would not be surprised if it is gone before Google finally gets around to releasing their App.
  - FTB
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:52 pm · Reply
    
    exactly.
    
    I do understand that some cities, like NY etc, don’t have the transit stuff in iOS maps anymore.
    Me? I don’t care.. I rode a bus once, when I was 6… public transit, not going to ever use it.
    
    and no, i have ZERO desire to head to NYC etc either.
    - Predrag
      
      Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:09 pm · Reply
      
      Not sure what your reasons are, but you are missing out on one of the most fascinating, vibrant, inspiring and creative places on the planet. As a foreigner ex-pat living there, and having seen a lot of other world, I can say there is no city in the world that is as fascinating as NYC. And thanks to the two most recent mayors, the crime rate puts us now at the bottom of the list of American cities above 100,000 people (about 196th place, out of a little ove 200 cities, just below Fresno, CA…).
      
      And the transit maps can be extremely helpful in places like NYC.
      - FTB
        
        Monday, November 5, 2012 - 4:57 pm · Reply
        
        I’m not a big city person. I can easily spend a week+ in the woods and never even see another soul. Perfectly happy to do so.
        
        As you can see from my picture, I have guns. I carry DAILY. (the Kimber in on my hip as I type this) NYC… it’s illegal.
        if it takes me more than 30 minutes to get *anywhere* i’m not interested.
        
        Nanny Doomberg would drive me nuts. my Large drink I got from Panda Express today… illegal in NYC.
        
        Some like the big city living, I don’t.
        My house, yard and all… to own something this size in NYC… I would never be able to afford it. and in the end over 60% of my wages lost to taxes in NY state alone. One of the highest in the US for overall tax rates.
        
        Predrag
        
        Monday, November 5, 2012 - 5:11 pm · Reply
        
        I can clearly see that the two of us are made from a very, very different cloth. While I can’t possibly imagine ever living in the country (never mind spending more than a single day alone — I would go insane without human interaction for more than 24 hours!), I love vacationing in the wilderness. As for “30 minutes to anywhere”, there I would agree, which is why I live in Manhattan, and most things (work, school, stores, theatres, museums, parks, playgrounds…) are less than 30 minutes’ walking distance from my home, and the rest is within 30 minutes of a train (or buss) ride. I have absolutely no use for a car (way more expensive and, more importantly, significantly less efficient than public transportation), or a gun (nothing / nobody to defend from, as there are no wild animals that could attack me, nor any enemy combatants planning an assault on the city; and a gun wouldn’t help with 9/11-type event…).
        
        What I’m saying is, NYC is an incredibly fun place to visit, and the transit map makes it just that much more easy to do so.
        
        FTB
        
        Monday, November 5, 2012 - 6:21 pm · Reply
        
        yeah, we are very different.
        you see no need for a gun.
        
        tell that to the over 1000 women raped in NYC last year.
        Another nanny city Chicago bans gun ownership also, more of it’s citizens are murdered there then troops have died in Afghanistan. over 5000 since 2001 in Chicago… same time, just over 2000 military killed.
        
        Home invasions are on the rise since the economy has started tanking…
        
        you see only hunting, or protection from animals, and terrorism as only reasons to own a gun.
        Terrorism is Governments job to deal with.
        
        protecting my home, property.. thats MY job.
        
        As the saying goes, “1911 beats 911 every time.”
        
        When seconds count, Police are just minutes away.
        
        (Not attacking you or anything just discussing our differing views. Side note, just realized that when I left the house to pay a bill and get Panda Express today for lunch. Today was the first actual face to face contact with a human since I left work Friday. yeah, we *are* different)
    - Zeke
      
      Monday, November 5, 2012 - 4:50 pm · Reply
      
      I never ride our public transit in Portland by choice, and never, ever unarmed.
  - The Other Steve
    
    Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:21 pm · Reply
    
    My thoughts exactly about Google intentionally breaking a few Apple rules to coverup something like their app not being ready. I think they were caught off guard when Apple took their app off the built-in IOS list.
    
    Note to Google, if your new app doesn’t have voice turn-by-turn, then don’t bother.
DRMSSDB

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:19 pm · Reply

This is only speculation.
Chuklz

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:25 pm · Reply

In other word, “We know there is something in this app that should not be there so it will not get approved anyway”.
- tomL
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:03 pm · Reply
  
  +1
  Apple approves other mapping apps, and there is no reason for Apple to fail to approve the Google Map app, so long as Google can follow the rules as other developers do (that is the unlikely part)
noibs

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:35 pm · Reply

And let’s not forget that while the Android version of Google Maps has had turn-by-turn navigation, the version that was was used in iOS5 and before did not have that feature.

The fact is, if Google really cared about iOS, then it would have kept the feature level of that version consistent with the Android version. But they didn’t do that in order to enhance Android and screw iOS.

They are so full of crap.
- Predrag
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:22 pm · Reply
  
  Apple’s Google Maps for iOS, as well as Apple’s Youtube (for iOS), were apps developed by Apple, with Google’s cooperation. How can you know this? Check for ads in an app; if there are none, there is no chance in h9ll it was developed by Google.
  
  Think about it; what is this whole noise about, if the original apps were made by Google? Apple would have no reason (or justification) to pull them, had they been third-party apps that have once already been approved. Since they were their own, they just replaced / pulled them and that was that.
  
  Now, Google went ahead and decided to develop the iOS apps by themselves, much like they have already done for Gmail, Chrome, Google+, Google Drive, Google Play (the book and music store), Google Translate, Google Search, Google Earth… All these are iOS apps that Apple dutifully reviewed and approved. And they keep approving all subsequent updates and newer versions.
  
  This statement is very transparent way of spinning this maps story against Apple, as anyone who follows the fate of iOS app submissions in general, and Google’s iOS apps in particular, knows that Apple has absolutely no bone to pick with any developer. Even though the go head-to-head agains Apple’s own Safari, Mail, iCloud, App Store and others, they had no problem approving Chrome, G-mail, Google Drive, Google Play and others. There is absolutely no valid justification for expecting Apple to deny Google Maps, after having approved so many other competing offerings from Google.
Jim

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:45 pm · Reply

Eric T. Mole on his iPhone 5: “Siri, plot me a route out of this mess I’ve created for my company.”

Siri: “I’m sorry, Eric, I don’t quite understand what you’re asking. Perhaps a non-Google powered web search will help?”
FTB

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:48 pm · Reply

“google is ‘not optimistic’ that Apple will ever approve a dedicated Google Maps iOS app.”

and I am 100% certain I’ll never see it on any of my iOS devices. (Even if approved)

iOS 6 gave me the opportunity to remove 2 google apps from my iOS devices. they are NOT coming back… ever.
(Maps/Youtube)
Sonny

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 1:54 pm · Reply

I am “not optimistic” any executive from Google will be on Apple’s Board of Directors again.
- peterblood71
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:32 pm · Reply
  
  Hah hah! Good one!
  
  I am “not optimistic” Google will last creating so many enemies and by being so rampantly evil. Now if Apple will only start creating their own search capability…
AlfieJr

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:13 pm · Reply

of course Google already knows that any map app that would replace iOS Maps for other apps’ automatic API access will never be approved. duh.

and likewise that any map app that datamines its users the way Google does also will not be approved. duh.

but it could still have ads! oh – via Apple’s iAd only. yeah, sure.

Google is just setting up its bullshit excuse for not even trying.
- peterblood71
  
  Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:34 pm · Reply
  
  The big question is will any iOS Google Map app have turn-by-turn. If so then… WTF?!
trondude

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 2:52 pm · Reply

I would venture to say that as time goes on, most people will get over google maps.
sunbeamrapier

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:06 pm · Reply

Google is involved in a bitter dispute with Apple over royalties for standards-essential patents, and is Apple’s most serious competitor in the phone market. Google is stating the obvious when they express concern that a competitor such as Apple might not open their platform to a competitor. I wonder if Google would allow iTunes on Android?
Andy Android

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 3:10 pm · Reply

Apple should port their Maps app to Android and give Google a taste of their own medicine.
Maz

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 8:38 pm · Reply

Google all the way track me all u want
smacsteve

Monday, November 5, 2012 - 10:15 pm · Reply

What’s Apple afraid of? That Google will do a better maps app?
- ppctyler
  
  Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 12:10 am · Reply
  
  Fat chance!
csmithe

Tuesday, November 6, 2012 - 8:53 am · Reply

I’m a huge Apple fan and have been for years. I love some of the new features such as turn by turn navigation but this maps program simply isn’t up to par yet in terms of accuracy and functionality.

It does not intuitively find locations unless you type the name in perfectly and are hovering over the correct location.

And having just returned from a month long trip though 5 countries in Europe I can’t tell you have many times I ended up in the wrong location while staring straight at my phone…I had to use google maps via safari many times to find out where the hell iOS maps had just taken me.

It is better in LA where I live but still not accurate all the time. If I didn’t know the area it would have gotten me lost several times already.

That said I hope they perfect it which I’m sure apple is working on but it is not there yet…