The Apple’s Maps application on iOS 6 has left users outraged because it is both inefficient and incomplete. The application has a serious issue of missing data and locations, especially for users accessing it outside of the US. Many have asked as to why Apple didn’t just release the new application with the Beta tag or better still, just stick to Google.
Now, The Verge has reported that Apple ended the contract with Google Maps one year before it was supposed to expire. The report quotes two independent sources familiar with the matter. It seems that the biggest loser in this latest round of Apple-Google rivalry is the user… again.
The report says, The decision, made sometime before Apple’s WWDC event in June, sent Google scrambling to develop an iOS Google Maps app — an app which both sources say is still incomplete and currently not scheduled to ship for several months.
Yesterday Google’s Chief Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt spoke on the whole Apple vs Google maps issues. He said, “We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know? What were we going to do, force them not to change their mind? It’s their call.”
Screengrab from Apple Maps application.
He further added that Google and Apple were in constant communication “at all kinds of levels.” But he said any decision on whether Google Maps would be accepted as an application in the Apple App Store would have to be made by Apple. “We have not done anything yet,” he said.
It’s not clear when an iOS specific Google Apps maps will be released or whether Google even plans to submit one to Apple anytime soon. It also appears that Apple has woken up to realise that the new Maps application is a serious disaster and is luring away employees from Google Maps team.
Apple has also removed the in-built YouTube app from iOS 6. Google launched an iPhone/iPod Touch specific app for YouTube but for iPad users the wait might be a little longer.
Apple and Google went from being best-buddies to arch enemies with the launch of Google’s own mobile OS Android.
Bonus read: To see all the loopholes in the India version of the Apple Maps you can check out our post here.
