Google Maps mobile app — history, features, and platform support
Overview of the Google Maps mobile app: its development since 2008, key features like navigation, Street View and transit, and support across Android and iOS devices.
Google Maps is a mobile mapping application created by Google. The app first appeared for Android devices in 2008 and was later released for iOS on December 13, 2012. Google positioned the iOS release as an option for users who preferred an alternative to Apple's built-in mapping application introduced with iOS 6.
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History and platform support
The Android release in 2008 established Google Maps as a widely used mobile mapping solution. When the standalone iOS app arrived in late 2012 it restored many features that users had expected after the built-in maps change. Early iOS builds did not include a dedicated interface for larger tablets, but Google added native support for the iPad in version 2.0.
Main features
- Turn-by-turn navigation for driving, walking and cycling, with spoken directions where supported.
- Street View imagery that lets users view panoramic, ground-level photographs of many streets and landmarks.
- Public transit information, including route options and schedules in many cities.
- Regular updates to the application’s user interface and map data to improve clarity, performance, and accuracy.
Notes
Google Maps continues to be updated across platforms with changes to features, visual design, and regional data. Its availability on both Android and iOS ensures it is commonly used on phones and tablets worldwide.
Questions and answers
Q: What is Google Maps?
A: Google Maps is a mobile application for mapping that was released by Google for Android in 2008.
Q: When was the iOS version of Google Maps released?
A: The iOS version of Google Maps was released on December 13, 2012.
Q: What was the purpose of releasing an iOS version of Google Maps?
A: The iOS version of Google Maps was released as an alternative to Apple's built-in maps application, which was released with iOS 6.
Q: What are some features of Google Maps?
A: Google Maps has many features, including turn-by-turn navigation, street view, and public transit information.
Q: Has the user interface of Google Maps changed over time?
A: Yes, the application's user interface was completely redesigned.
Q: Did the original version of Google Maps support the iPad?
A: No, the original version did not support the iPad, but Google added iPad support with version 2.0.
Q: Who released Google Maps?
A: Google released Google Maps.
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AlegsaOnline.com Google Maps mobile app — history, features, and platform support Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/39686
Sources
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- nytimes.com : "The iPhone Matches Most of Its Hype"
- huffingtonpost.com : "Apple Maps App Officially Debuts, Google Maps Dropped"
- nytimes.com : "iOS 6 Leaves Out Google's Mapping Data"
- news.cnet.com : "Google homes in on Maps app for iOS 6, report says"
- macworld.co.uk : "Apple's iOS 6 Maps app fails to impress, users want Google Maps back"
- online.wsj.com : "Google Releases Map App for iPhone"
- computerworld.com : "Google Maps snares 10M downloads on iOS App Store"
- news.cnet.com : "iOS 6 adoption surges after release of Google Maps app"
- news.cnet.com : "Big iOS 6 uptick linked to China launch, instead of Google Maps"
- usatoday.com : "Baig: Google Maps app - welcome return of an old friend"