Google Maps

After an absence of a few months, Google has released their official maps application for iOS bringing vector tiles, turn-by-turn navigation, and transit directions. I haven’t had any issues with Apple’s maps, but having a choice is even better. As John Gruber notes:

This iOS 6 mapping saga has been a source of tremendous controversy, but here we are three months after iOS 6 was released and iPhone users now have a better Google Maps experience than they did when Google was providing the back-end data for the built-in Maps app. It all worked out.

So iOS users went from having a maps experience that was lagging behind to having the option of choosing between two better options. As an architect and urban designer, the Flyover feature in Apple’s maps is enthralling. But Google’s streetview is equally engaging. I am glad to have both options and I think both are better than the previous hamstrung maps app.