Google Maps back on iPhone

Apple has returned Google Maps to the iPhone as a free downloadable app after cancelling it in September.

The move comes three months after Google’s mapping software was replaced by Apple Maps on their iOS 6 operating system.

Despite high expectations, Apple’s new software proved inferior to Google’s, with a number of faults on its initial release. For example, it did not have a feature similar to Google’s popular Street View. There were also some distortions in a few of the 3D maps, such as the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, which appeared collapsed on screens.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook, in an interview with Bloomberg Business Week, admitted to the problems with the software: “We set out to give the customer something to provide a better experience. And the truth is, it didn’t live up to our expectations. We screwed up.”

The company has since released several software updates to improve the product. Aiming to reassure customers, Mr Cook said: “We’ve got a huge plan to make it even better. It will get better and better over time.”

David Graf, Director of Google Maps for Mobile, commented on the latest incarnation of the mapping software for the iPhone: “At the heart of this app is our constantly improving map of the world that includes detailed information for more than 80 million businesses and points of interest.”

The Google app will be compatible with any iPhone or iPod Touch that runs iOS 5.1 and higher.

 Daniel Cotter