In September, Apple
released a software update for the iPhone that, among other changes, replaces
the Google maps that have been on the phone since 2007 with Apple’s own maps. Since then,
Google Maps has been on the minds of many. The update coincided roughly with
the release of the iPhone 5, meaning millions saw the new product for the first
time after getting their new phones.
Early reviews
have not been kind. Apple's mapping software has been a spotty mess, missing
huge chunks of the globe and, at times, placing notable landmarks in the wrong
place, sometimes humorously so. The release was
bad enough that Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a rare apology, saying in an open
letter that Apple is "extremely sorry for the frustration this has
caused" and promising to improve the feature.
With fallout still
swirling from Apple's decision to replace Google Maps with its own mobile
mapping, Google on Thursday announced the biggest upgrade ever to its Street
View tool. The update adds
more than 250,000 miles of roadways in 17 countries, said Ulf Spitzer, Google's
Street View program manager, in a blog post Thursday.
The Street View
feature on Google Maps lets users see a real-world, 360-degree view of
locations. Showcasing Google's global reach, the new coverage areas include
parts of Macau, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, Taiwan, Italy, Great Britain,
Denmark, Norway, Canada and the United States. Since launching
in 2007, Google Street View had captured 20 petabytes of data in 48 countries.
The company uses cars, trikes, snowmobiles and people outfitted with custom
cameras to capture 360-degree images around the world. In the new
update, Google also added a spate of "special collections" to the
feature, providing virtual tours of attractions around the globe.
"Street
View, as you know, is a useful resource when you're planning a route or looking
for a destination, but it can also magically transport you to some of the
world's picturesque and culturally significant landmarks," Spitzer said.
Google has been
officially silent on whether it plans to release a new Google Maps app for iOS
6, which runs on iPhones, iPads and iPods. Reports suggest that it's doing so,
but there's no guarantee Apple would approve it. In the past, the company has
turned down apps that it deemed compete with its own features.
That's a fact
Google CEO Eric Schmidt acknowledged Wednesday, speaking at an All Things
Digital conference, where he declined to confirm that a new version of maps is
in the works for Apple mobile devices.
"Apple
should have kept our maps," Schmidt said, according to GigaOM.
Sourses:
“Unofficial
Google Maps iOS app disappears from App Store”:
“Poll claims
Apple Maps a hit, analysis says otherwise, and Microsoft sues over Google Maps”:
“Google: No
plans 'yet' for iOS 6 mapping app”:
“Google says Maps not waiting in wings for
iPhone 5”:
“Google May Make iOS Map App After All, But
Not to Help Apple”:
“Apple’s iPhone Update Leaves Out Google’s
Maps”:
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