Google Maps falls behind as iPhone users turn to Apple Maps

So you thought that Apple Maps’ loss was Google Maps’ gain? It may have been for a while, but it looks like the tables have been turned on Google.

So you thought that Apple Maps’ loss was Google Maps’ gain? It may have been so for a while, but it looks like the tables have been turned on Google. Reports have emerged that company has lost nearly 23 million iPhone users in US last year, with most preferring the Apple variant over its version of of the navigation software.

The Guardian has charted out results revealed by ComScore that shows Apple Maps doing pretty well for itself, raking in 35 million US-based iPhone users who fire up the application in September 2013 alone. Compare this figure to the mere six million iOS users who chose to download and make use of Google Maps instead, in order to search for places. This figure becomes even more underwhelming when it is revealed that it includes 2 million iOS users who are stuck with iOS 5 and below, according to data by MixPanel.

Public Transit soon?

Trumps Google Maps!

If you stretch your memory back a year, you will be reminded of the debacle of a debut made by Apple Maps with the release of the iOS 6 upgrade. Apple, clearly not ready to release its stand-alone Maps app had been facing the ire of users across the world who were being shown inaccurate maps and directions. It hit headlines again when it threw a couple of Australians off-course while giving directions, getting them stuck in a snake-infested desert. Richard Williamson, Apple Maps’ head was handed the pink-slip for the application’s terrible performance.

Google Maps, on its part, made hay while the sun shone down on it. Previously been booted out of the iOS ecosystem, it released its own standalone Google Maps application for Apple’s operating system that saw it being downloaded 10 million times in the first 48 hours of it hitting the store.

That may have been the story of 2012, but with constant updates and improvements, it looks like Apple Maps has stolen Google’s thunder in 2013. With Apple Maps rumoured to get public transit information soon, it looks like the application will bolster itself into iOS devices further next year.

Written by Nishtha Kanal

Intrigued by all things social, Nishtha will invariably tweet about you. When not tweeting or writing about the next viral video, you will hear her proclaiming her love to Metallica, James Hetfield, Opeth, Akerfeldt and all bands that go 'growl'. She also obsesses about ACP Pradyuman and South Park and you will always find her moving around with a book. Her focus is on all the happening stuff in the tech domain, and she won't hesitate to take a shot at some of the oddball devices that make their way to our labs. see more