New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Google Employees Suggest Apple Approval of Google Maps App 'Unlikely'

Monday November 5, 2012 9:00 am PST by Eric Slivka
In the wake of Apple's move to replace the Google-powered Maps app with its own app in iOS 6, Google has been reported by numerous sources to be working on a standalone version of its service to be submitted to the App Store.


But while Apple has been willing to advertise a number of alternative mapping solutions while it works to improve its own Maps app, The Guardian reports that sources within Google believe it is "unlikely" Apple will approve Google's app for inclusion in the App Store.
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.
According to sources within Google, who appear to be split as to whether the departure of iOS chief Scott Forstall will improve Google's chances, there is little evidence that Apple is interested in embracing Google-based mapping solutions.
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. [...]

Apps such as the free Maps+ app, which uses Google Places APIs and Google Maps tiles to bring Google Maps back to the iPhone, and the £3 app Quick Route, which mashes Google's directions and locations database with Apple's Maps tiles, are noticeably absent from it, even though a Google source says they are the two apps that would give back many of the capabilities lost with the advent of Apple's Maps in iOS 6.
The Google sources reportedly believe that these omissions are deliberate in order to minimize the visibility of Google-based mapping apps, although Apple CEO Tim Cook did mention the web-based version of Google Maps as an alternative in his open letter addressing the Maps issue.

[ 253 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
nick_elt
82 months ago
of course they won't let it in, its much better than their own version.
Rating: 34 Votes
Avatar
TC03
82 months ago
I don't think Apple will deny approval. Why would Apple do so? They have approved Google search, which competes with Siri, Gmail, Chrome, etc. Apple has never denied approval of Google apps mimicking features Apple already offers. Why do so now?
Rating: 32 Votes
Avatar
daneoni
82 months ago
Freaking pessimists
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
MonkeySee....
82 months ago
Apple Maps have served me well. I'm not fussed about a Google map app.
Rating: 23 Votes
Avatar
theBB
82 months ago
Wait, Google is pointing to apps that actually got approved and being sold in the store, as evidence that Apple would not approve Maps apps with Google tech behind it??? It sounds more like Google doesn't want to or is unable to release its own maps app, and just trying to put some PR spin on it.
Rating: 18 Votes
Avatar
penajmz
82 months ago
If that's the case then Apple Maps better step up.
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
wallysb01
82 months ago
If this is true and Apple maps hasn't improved by the time I buy my next phone, I'll be purchasing something that allows google maps. Outside of calls, texts and email, the map is by far my most used app, and Apple maps is very nearly completely useless.
Rating: 15 Votes
Avatar
Formul
82 months ago
Lets whine before we even have a reason to do so. All of the google apps were approved even the Voice search, wtf?
Rating: 12 Votes
Avatar
Fishticks
82 months ago
Shame.
Shame.
SHAME.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
Allenbf
82 months ago
Poor Google. :rolleyes:
Rating: 8 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]