In an odd twist, iOS is getting an appupdateafter Android.
Today’s Google Maps app update for iOS includes roughlyall the new features that debuted in last week’s big update for Android. Also, the iOS version, which you can download now, includes support for alonehandsets and tablets running iOS 6: the iPhone, iPod equaland the iPad.
Like the Android version, the redesigned app features a cleaner overall experience with virtuallynew bells and whistles, but the accreditedemphasis is on discovery. It’s limpidthat helping you locate nearby items of interest is a trulyserious goal for Google right now. To help surface alonethe things around you, the app’s updated take careresults display red icons of locations that meet your search criteria. Also, new Info Sheets (Google’s name for the Google Now cards imbedin the Maps app) at the hoboof the screen can be swiped to navigate through those red dot search results. If integrityof those results tickles your fancy, the Info Sheet can be pulled up from the bottom and you calculatemore detailed reviews of the destination, including photos and more review highlights from Google+ and Zagat.
A curated describeof nearby locations can be found using the researchfeature. You’ll see eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment options near your current location. Reviews from Zagat and from Google+ users profferenough intel for you to judge whether a place is worthy of your hard-earned cash.
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired
And all of this finally works natively on the iPad. No more upscaling the iPhone app and trafficwith blurry text and maps. Like the Android tablet version, the app expands the Maps app experience, adding UI elements that achievesense on the larger screen. For example, Info Sheets are displayed all overthe map instead of covering the entire UI. It’s taken farthermosttoo long, but it’s nice to have a real Google Maps experience on the iPad.
Google’s desire is to create true likenessacross its mobile Maps platform, and the iOS version of the app contains almost all the aforesaid(prenominal)features of the Android version.
The wizardand only(a)exception is that dynamic map rerouting isn’t accessibleyet on iOS. But, Google UX lead of mobile maps Darren Delaye said that rerouting leadbe coming to iOS “soon.” That’s the only bad news, but cyclists should be happy that iOS is finally getting biking directions. Now you can take careout the best route to the bicycle shop to get lights put on your bike for night riding.
At Google I/O back in May, the company announced an opt-in invitation to the beta of Google Maps for the desktop browser. The new Mapsweb browserapp displays results directly on the map itself, and clicking on a pass onbrings up the an Info Sheet similar to what’s available in the mobile apps. So don’t be too surprised if one day all these apps (mobile and desktop) become nearly indistinguishable from one another.
Of course, Google releasing Maps on its own mobile OS forraderpushing it onto Apple’s is a no-brainer. But, because the Maps app is being rolled outo'erthe next few weeks to Android devices running 4.0.2 and later, iOS users might actuallyget the app before their Android-owning friends. Awkward!
Photo: Ariel Zambelich/Wired
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Materials taken from WIRED
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