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Google Maps surges to the top spot on Apple App Store's free app list in just 7 hours

Google Maps surges to the top spot on Apple App Store's free app list in just 7 hours

Posted: 13 Dec 2012, 08:29, by Victor H.

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Google Maps surges to the top spot on Apple App Store's free app list in just 7 hours

Google Maps for iPhone has just become the most popular free application on the App Store, merely 7 hours after it launched on Apple’s catalog. The free Google Maps has gotten a brilliant 4.5 out of 5 five stars rating, and being adopted so quickly by iPhone users is also telling.

We have just wrapped up our in-depth comparison of Google Maps vs Apple Maps, and we have found plenty of good reasons to switch to Google’s application right away.

Google Maps has outranked Apple’s own '12 Days of Christmas' promo app, and even apps like 'Angry Birds: Star Wars.'

If we had to narrow it down to the most important features, Google’s application stands out with its great gesture-based interface, public transit directions, Street View and of course a much better developed backend of points of interest and places.

Google has also brought an SDK with Maps, so that developers can integrate it with their own applications.

Download Google Maps for iPhone

source: The Next Web

37 Comments

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posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:30 31

1. Cha7520 (Posts: 221; Member since: 31 Oct 2010)

LMAO!! APPLE= FAIL

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:34 7

2. seesharp88 (Posts: 22; Member since: 24 Oct 2012)

The top Play store app at the moment is made by GIPNETIX GAMES. Does that mean GOOGLE = FAIL?

What it has proved, is that google has had to bring their no.1 android selling point to the iPhone. It has been gobbled up... but by iPhone users.

This is as much a win for apple as it is google

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:47 21

9. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

Hahaha. I think you gave a great example of false equivalence. If Google had dropped GIPNETIX GAMES from JB where previously it had been offered on Android ICS and earlier, your analogy MIGHT be applicable.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 10:39

16. diggie (Posts: 4; Member since: 29 Nov 2012)

Apple didn't have a choice but to change their Map app. Google wouldn't allow them to use vector based graphics and wouldn't allow them to use turn by turn directions. If google wanted to stay in the first place they should have allowed these changes. But when google restricts what features Apple can use in their app that pulls google data (which is their right to do) you can't blame Apple for looking elsewhere.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 12:21 7

22. iamcc (Posts: 1319; Member since: 07 Oct 2011)

Google should have allowed these changes? You mean the changes that Google implemented in the new app?

You are an idiot.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 12:37 1

24. diggie (Posts: 4; Member since: 29 Nov 2012)

The old app was developed by Apple using Google data and their agreement with Apple prohibited Apple from implementing these features. I'm not saying Google should or shouldn't have allowed it - that was a business choice for them to make - but it was features Apple wanted, Google wouldn't work with them on those features so they went elsewhere to get the data they needed so they could implement those features.

If you don't even know the background of the story you're the idiot.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 13:44 3

28. networkdood (Posts: 6330; Member since: 31 Mar 2010)

this way, the app is all Google ....better off for Google in the long run not having their software integrated with boring old iOS. Because of Google's rep, they can just make the software for the app store and APPLE users will then have a choice ('gasp') of which maps to use - just like Android users do. Obviously, APPLE users prefer Google quite a bit.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:39 2

5. pankajgupta (Posts: 59; Member since: 09 Aug 2012)

Apple Maps are fail not Apple.
Apple strategy will eventually work out 5-7 years down the line or sooner if they buy some Map companies.

We have 3 BIG and MAIN competitors now.
1. Google
2. Nokia
3. Apple

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:42 8

7. Nathan_ingx (Posts: 4292; Member since: 07 Mar 2012)

I don't know. I have a feeling that Applets don't want to get "lost" anymore.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:49 5

10. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

Ya think Nokia is a stronger competitor than Apple? Really?

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:49 2

11. Mxyzptlk (unregistered)

Not as much as the comment.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:57 6

13. kartik4u98 (Posts: 511; Member since: 19 May 2012)

First one to dislike your comment!

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 11:23 6

19. Mxyzptlk (unregistered)

I don't lose any sleep over my comments being disliked.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 18:01 2

32. Sackboy117 (Posts: 178; Member since: 17 Oct 2011)

But everybody loses when they get sucked into the comments section.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 21:47 1

33. Reluctant_Human (Posts: 904; Member since: 28 Jun 2012)

If you did you'd be an insomniac Mxy hahaha. Gotta respect you respect you for sticking to your guns even though I disagree with most of what you say.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:36 6

3. SuperAndroidEvo (Posts: 4888; Member since: 15 Apr 2011)

Umm people want a great working maps application. Google maps is it. Is this really a surprise to anyone? What surprises me is that it took 7 hours for that to happen. lol

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:42 4

6. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

"What surprises me is that it took 7 hours for that to happen,"

Probably due to a lag in the word getting out, users in the U.S. being tucked into bed for a chunk of the 7 hour lag and whatnot.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:38 4

4. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)

Gee, I wonder why that is (sarcasm)? Any chance that users in iOS-land were unhappy with iMaps? I guess they knew better than Apple what they wanted.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:42 2

8. BadAssAbe (Posts: 464; Member since: 22 Apr 2011)

A Google app at the top of Apple Store, A Samsung Top using and admitting using apple product. Whats next, The end of the world?

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 09:50 4

12. PhoneCritic (Posts: 818; Member since: 05 Oct 2011)

Apple and Tim Cook got eggs all over their faces when Cook made a public apology and essentially admitted Apple made a mistake when it Booted Google maps and try to do it's own mapping app that failed terribly ( cost a Apple exec his Job too). Today also adds more Eggs to Apples and Tim Cook's face again as it shows that Apple users can think and exercise their own opinions and not have Apple always dictate to them what they need and should have. The Apple users have spoken loud and clear and Apple has heard. This is a win for the iPhone users and like it or not a Big win for Google's strategy of being everywhere and on every device.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 10:10

14. ZayZay (Posts: 571; Member since: 26 Feb 2011)

What? Nose surgery wasn't the most useful popular thing on iOS?

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 10:17 1

15. kindlefireowner (Posts: 503; Member since: 05 Dec 2011)

Is Apple the first company to make a mistake on a product. No. If I was Tim Cook, I would have made a deal with TomTom and gave free downloads of TomTom's app. That would have smooth everything out on the spot.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 10:47

17. israinwet (Posts: 47; Member since: 29 Nov 2012)

_lol_

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 11:03 3

18. jaytai0106 (Posts: 1888; Member since: 30 Mar 2011)

Apply should just take the Google Map back as its default Map App

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 11:27 2

20. shamataa (Posts: 240; Member since: 07 Dec 2011)

LOL and not a huge surprise. Apple was so dumb to make its own map app in the first place and further more to ditch it now they are paying the price. Just to show you how Apple is no longer a good company with good ideas and falling short on apps.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 11:28 2

21. McLTE (Posts: 922; Member since: 18 Oct 2011)

I only have one thing to say..

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.. gasp.. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 12:21

23. AlexC (Posts: 7; Member since: 19 Nov 2012)

A hard hit right a home haha. Ouch

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 13:07 2

25. miladkhahil (Posts: 26; Member since: 08 Dec 2008)

Again this not about winning or failing for neither Apple nor Google ... It's about us consumer..... Thank you Google for that beautiful Google Map App...that application is better in terms of design compared to the Android build, which has been adding features over time by way of cluttering menus with new items.
already the much-expected software has surged to become the top free iPhone app on the App Store. This just goes to illustrate that competition is a good thing and how eager people have been to have that native mapping experience from Google on their iPhones... :-)

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 13:32 5

26. Twisted247 (Posts: 282; Member since: 12 Oct 2012)

LMAO "Apple works just fine if not better" - Apple user in denial

The stats don't lie number 1 in 7hours hahahahahaha

Apple boys if you wanted the Google and Android Greatness so badly all you had to do was ask

posted on 13 Dec 2012, 13:41

27. networkdood (Posts: 6330; Member since: 31 Mar 2010)

You know it is bad for APPLE with their awesome 'maps' when as soon as Google releases theirs on iOS - it goes to the top. People want reliable not just because it is from APPLE. The 'just because it is APPLE' marketing and development for APPLE is not working any longer.