Google Maps for iOS may be nearing completion

Rumblings in the past have indicated that Google was making a dedicated app for the iOS platform. A report by Cnet now claims that Google is putting the finishing touches on its iOS Maps app ahead of submitting it to Apple.

Cnet, which sourced its information from The Wall Street Journal , reports, “The software, which the Journal says is already undergoing testing beyond Google employees, is “expected to contain” turn-by-turn navigation, just like its Android counterpart. That very same feature was said to be one of the main sticking points in negotiations between the two companies that led to Apple creating its own mapping software.”

Google Maps could once again be featured on iOS devices

In response to the post, Google contacted Cnet and a spokesperson issued a statement saying, “We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.”

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Features such as turn-by-turn navigation were believed to be among the reasons for causing the rift between Apple and Google. The latter wanted the software to solely feature on the Android operating system and not on its iOS counterpart. Another reason stated was that Google wanted more branding in the app as well as the Google Latitude feature, which helps in locating friends. Apparently, these options proposed by Google did not sit well with Apple, and this led it to build its own Maps application.

However, Apple Maps got off to a rocky start and this prompted Apple CEO Tim Cook to issue an  apology. He went as far as suggesting that alternate apps to be used while Apple fixed its own maps service.

In his statement, Tim Cook said, “We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better…While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app”.

An earlier report stated that though the Apple failed to match up with expectations, the handset that launched with iOS 6 and the Maps app, the iPhone 5 would not be affected in terms of sales, according to an analyst Shaw Wu.

Wu stated that Sales of the iPhone 5 have been unfazed by the Apps Maps debacle. He added that Demand for the new phone apparently continues to run high, as supply-chain manufacturing plans remain unchanged. He states that since the Apple Maps application is software-based, Apple will make the program and more powerful over time. Wu said, “Google Maps has been touted as a better solution, especially since it was kicked out to make room for Apple Maps. But Google’s product had its own growing pains.”