Google Slowly Starts to Exploit Apple's iOS Maps Flub
You'd have a hard time finding an iPhone user who's in love with the new Google-free maps option in iOS 6 -- which is exactly why Google is showcasing a new set of upgrades for its Maps app on Android. Veteran tech writer Walt Mossberg dug into the latest release of the Google Maps app on Android and sang its praises. What's more relevant to iPhone devotees, though, is a little news nugget he buried in his review. On Thursday, Google will add Street View functionality to the web-based version of Google Maps on iPhone and iPad.
RELATED: Why Google Should Stay Out of the Tablet Game
Let's think of this little upgrade as a cheeky reminder from Google to Apple users that the search giant is still peerless in certain realms. Sure, there are a lot of maps apps out there, and even Tim Cook admits that Google's web-based solution is a good alternative to the new, flawed Apple maps. "While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," he wrote in a note to customers.
RELATED: More Android App Downloads Doesn't Mean More Money for Developers
Mossberg is willing to take it a bridge further. After cycling through all of the new and appealing features of Google Maps on Android, Mossberg admits, "There are many other factors to consider and the iPhone still has plenty of pluses. But if mapping is very important to you, Android is the way to go." Plus one, Google. Pun intended.
