Google readying iOS Maps app to save beleaguered iPhone users

Has Apple Maps already reached the end of the road?

Google has apparently started distributing a test version of its iOS Maps app to certain individuals, as the firm looks to take on Apple's disappointing effort.
According to a Wall Street Journal source, several key figures outside of Google have received the test version of Google Maps on their iPhones.
The finishing touches are now being added to the dedicated application, which will mean iPhone users won't have to rely on the mobile browser version, with the app providing a more featured-packed experience – apparently similar to the one you get on Android.

Destination unknown

Apple Maps arrived alongside iOS 6 and the iPhone 5 this year, but it came under instant criticism after numerous errors, inaccuracies and bugs were discovered.
The situation was so bad it led to Apple CEO Tim Cook issuing an apology to customers and recommending that they use other mapping solutions while they work out the problems.
This leaves the door wide open for Google to come in and leave its mark on iPhones (in a similar way to Nokia Here), and if it manages to get the native app on the App Store before Apple addresses its issues, it could well be game, set and match for the search giant.
There's no word on when the final version will be available in the App Store, and Google is apparently yet to submit the app to Apple for its strict approval process.

From Wall Street Journal

Nokia announces Here to reboot its mapping plans

Nokia Here - here to stay

Nokia has revamped its mapping and location services with the launch of an iOS app and Android SDK, gathering the whole lot under one umbrella known as Nokia Here.
The new service will consist not only of the company's Windows Phone and web maps, but will incorporate Android and iOS apps as well.
Nokia claims that Here is the world's first location cloud working across various platforms and operating systems.

Cloudy

The free iOS app is based on HTML5 and will bring much-longed-for offline maps to Apple-flavoured devices like the iPhone 5, iPad mini and iPod touch.
Although it's not in the App Store just yet, Nokia says the Nokia Here app is "scheduled to be available for download" in the coming weeks, bullishly anticipating Apple's sign-off.
Unlike the iPhone version, the Android app won't actually be made by Nokia; instead, the Finnish company will release the SDK for Android in early 2013, allowing external devs to work their coding magic on the location services.
The whole shebang is hosted in the cloud rather than forcing downloads to devices like Tom Tom and other sat-nav apps.
CEO Stephen Elop explains that the move allows Nokia to "extend our 20 years of location expertise" to the rival operating systems and devices.
Apple's iOS 6 Maps maptastrophe demonstrated the importance of maps to phone-users and Nokia knows there are big bucks to be made in the location-aware advertising arena too.
If nothing else, it will annoy Apple no end to have iOS users rocking Apple device homescreens proclaiming "Nokia Here".
The new service can be checked out already by heading on over to here.net.