Are you lost without Google Maps on your iPhone 5, iPad or iPod? Bad news, I'm afraid -- Google is not working on bringing a Google Maps app to iOS 6.
Since ditching Google maps with the new iPhone 5 and latest iOS software update, Apple has faced a storm of criticism over its incomplete own brand Apple Maps app. But Google is in no rush to spare Apple's blushes, with Google boss Eric Schmidt revealing to Reuters that work has not even started yet on a proper Google Maps app for iOS.
"We think it would have been better if they had kept ours. But what do I know?"said Schmidt, the sort of victorious remark that can only be followed by being borne through the streets on a unicorn while high-fiving cheerleaders.
Check out our comparison of iOS 6 Maps, iOS 5 Maps and Android Maps to see how bad the new Apple app really is when examined next to Google Maps.
The controversy surrounding Apple Maps is an opportunity for Google. If phone buyers are steered away from buying an iPhone, the next stop is the Samsung Galaxy S3 or another Android phone. No wonder Google is in no rush to get the iPhone back on track.
Apple insists it will fix the problems with Maps, but the damage to the brand's premium reputation is done. Up-to-date data is vital to a mapping app, which means Apple needs to clear out those branches of Woolworths and Our Price and get today's data in the app.
In the meantime the people who really lose out are those of us stuck in cities that are labelled wrong or don't appear at all, people trying to get to addresses in the wrong place, or anyone who needs public transport information.
Until Apple finds its way again, you can use Google Maps in your browser. Hackers are also working on bringing back Google Maps to iOS 6, but the solution isn't ready yet.
How are you getting on with Apple Maps? Are you tempted to switch to Android? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 23
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anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:16
Why should they bring it back to IOS. Apple doesnt want it and now they have failed.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:21
I want to be borne through the street on a unicorn, almost as much as I want to high-five cheerleaders.
But maybe not today. It's lashing down outside, and the road's blocked with fallen branches.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:21
because Google make money from people using it, irrespective of which platform they use it on
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:25
maybe because they're giving people more time to see how rubbish apps maps is compared to theres then theyll be beggin Google to make one. maybe even some would migrate to android.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:27
Haha this story is rather amusing. Apple decided to ditch Google Maps, and now look at what of a mess they've landed themselves in. Good one Apple!
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:51
I understand that they make money on the app irrespective of which platform it is on. However, I believe that this app will never be as good as google maps. They have several thousand people working on g maps and they are years ahead of Apple on this one. I can see this app being a thorn for apple and the next mobile me. Also, g maps is arguably one of the most useful features on a smart phone. This could strongly work in Googles favour as I'm hearing a lot of people are switching to android or Nokia to get an excellent mapping service. I use to like Apple even though there products were over priced. However, something has happened to them within the last couple of years. They have just lost their edge and they seem somewhat stagnated at the moment. I don't find their products as cool as I once did. People will probably disagree but just thought I would give my 2 bits.
Terry Ammon 25 September, 2012 15:57
iSO6 is moreless a copy off Google Earth with TomTom data and a different layout, like all apple software, it sucks.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:58
Is it not a bit deluded to think that if Apple have a problem with their maps then Google should drop all current development to focus on an app for iOS6?
It is not their only interest and what detriment to other areas would this have, they could be finishing off the code of the latest Maps update for Android or the web variant for all we know, and would it be right for them to drop it and concentrate on fixing one platforms mess? HELL NO!
They WILL get around to it, but it's not like Apple have been best chums and get to push in front of the queue :)
James Hogg 25 September, 2012 16:59
So... I know this great site where you can use google maps for iOS fantastic, it's called maps.google.com. There you go problem solved.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 17:12
Why shouldn't Schmidt be a bit triumphant? Seems to me this is Apple`s fault and Apples problem. They chose to ditch Google maps and shun Google`s services and constantly file law suits against all major manufacturers of Android devices. Seems to me they deserve everything they get and schmidt is well and trully justified in his attitude.
anonymous 25 September, 2012 17:20
For Google to help Apple by releasing a Google Maps App is damaging to their Android OS and its licensed manufacturers. Personally I think Google should not bother for another 6 months. If people can't take Apple's Maps App anymore, then they will sell their iPhone 5's for an Android equivalent, and rightly said 'the damage to the brand's premium reputation is done.'
Hodgheg 25 September, 2012 18:06
I am a massive Apple fan but decided to get an Android in march to see what the fuss was all about. At the time I thought it was a great idea because of what people were saying about it. After using it for a week or so I realised how far behind Android are compared to Apple. With iOS 6 Apple have really gone backwards, I have an iPad2 I updated to iOS 6 on the day it was realised... So far I'm not impressed, losing Maps and YouTube has really annoyed me! But Google have no reason to help Apple out by releasing Maps in the App Store! Apple got them selves in to this mess, they might be able to pull themselves out...? So now both Android and Apple are as useless as each other... Maybe my next upgrade will be a Lumia...
anonymous 25 September, 2012 18:15
What exactly is Android behind on? Judging by the new features in iOS 5 and 6 I'd say it's the other way round.
Bear in mind we're talking about the OS here and not the hardware which has very little if anything to do with the Android developers. But even then, the top of the line Samsung or Nexus or HTC is usually as good as, if not better than its Apple counterpart.
billfred 25 September, 2012 19:40
@Terry Ammon... Really, Apple suck at software. Really? No.
@ Hodgheg: how exactly is Android lagging behind iOS?
anonymous 25 September, 2012 20:08
If I was the head of Google I would never bring google maps back to iOS!
Apple had it but they chose to remove it! If your an apple fan deal with it!
Your idol decided to remove it so why should google give it back?
By the time Apples map app is on par with the current google maps who knows how technically advanced the google maps will be then!
Google are (as someone mentioned above) years ahead in terms of their maps app!
This is a turning point for apple as they have mucked up and made a massive error!
People are losing faith in them!
Luckily I lost faith ages ago an opted to get a Samsung Galaxy S3!
So I will never get lost with google maps and I'm pretty sure google maps won't say that my town/village doesn't exist! :P
Peter Hudson 26 September, 2012 00:04
Given the recent sales figures for the iPhone 5, it would suggest that people really don't care about maps all that much. Cerainly not enough to change to an android phone. Give it a few months, apple will have sorted out their maps and CNET can go back to writing 3 articles a day about what might be in the next iPhone.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 05:49
I used the IOS6 maps yesterday for the 1st time. What a load of rubbish. It couldnt even find my daughters school!!
I put my home street address in to test and it took me 500 meters short of where my actual house is.
it falls way short of the current Tom Tom app that i have on my iphone 4S
anonymous 26 September, 2012 08:04
I see an opportunity for Nokia and WP8 here. Typically I'm doing 3 weekends of walking in Wales and was let down badly by Apple maps last weekend. A nice rough and tumble Lumia 920 with quality mapping service sounds like a fine proposition right now!
AkumaJack 26 September, 2012 11:55
Looks like its at the beta stage , bit like siri was on the 4s. I wonder how much testing went into this and like someone pointed out it falls short of anything tom tom has on the market (where apple got their maps from apparently). Google mapss are the best thing on the market right now (the nokia maps are good) and I downloaded a number of cities for my resent holiday and it just worked without any issues.
anonymous 26 September, 2012 12:07
Come on Google, you have had your fun - Apple were wrong - but please don't hurt us any longer.
It is not going to help if Google waits for Apple to say sorry, everyone knows that the only map worth having integrates Google search.
If we have to wait much longer then it's going to be Google I blame not Apple.
Google you have won, please be the bigger person
anonymous 26 September, 2012 13:32
I'm sure if Apple dropped their petty patent suits against Android manufacturers then Google would be more motivated to make an IOS6 app....
Late8 26 September, 2012 14:09
I had a feeling Google wont bother + They probably wont be fussed rushing out the YouTube iPad app either.
To be fair I have no issues with Google over this. Apple wanted control and throw its toys out of the pram and it has failed.
The whole maps / navigation etc system sucks on iOS. They have a long way to go to make it better. On Android and GoogleOnline its great. They have hidden gems like "My Tracks" etc.
opensourceme 28 November, 2012 13:47
Samsung makes parts for the Iphone
Google is Open Source
Android is Google
The Galaxy S III is still casting a shadow over the latest I phone
If anything is better that Google then it is a well kept secret.
You can have a great experience burning through your wallet with Apple.