Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Google, Maps, Navigation, Apple, iPhone | Themes: Software, Smartphones, 3GSM
Google will bring its Maps Navigator to the iPhone if Apple gives the thumbs up.
Even though Google recently announced that it is implementing a free online navigation service into Android 2.0, the company wants to play nice. Or, at least, that's what it seems. Google said Wednesday that iPhone users could use the free service as well if the Apple mad scientists--those that approve boobs apps but reject satire apps--deem the service appropriate.
"Apple is a close partner," a Google spokesperson told AppleInsider Wednesday. "Millions of users experience Google Maps on the iPhone. We will continue to work with Apple to bring innovation--including Latitude and Navigation--to users, but you'll have to speak to Apple about availability."
As described here on the official site, Google Maps Navigation is an internet-connected GPS navigation system with voice guidance. The free service will provide various features including search by voice, search along a route, 3D satellite views, and more. If Apple does approve of the new service, Google may be forced to develop a web-based version like Latitude.
Google said that it plans to roll out Maps Navigation next week along as the Motorola Droid smartphone's debuts on Verizon's network. It's unclear how--or even if--Maps Navigation will work on the Droid since Verizon locks the GPS out of every application other than the network's proprietary software, VZ Navigator (Blackberry users, you know what we're talking about).
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Wow... so Google has a clear opportunity to leverage and promote Android with a great new app, and instead they just happily port it over to Apple... a company that bitches when people purchase their software legitimately and try to use it on their own hardware.
I'm happy for the iPhone users (like my sister), and see this as a good thing... but I'm still pretty confused by Google's actions.
I have been noticing a lot of gramatical errors recently. Do the editors ever read this stuff? It should read "If Apple does approve the new service"
"Verizon locks the GPS out of every application other than the network's proprietary software, VZ Navigator (Blackberry users, you know what we're talking about)."
Verizon has not locked out the GPS on blackberrys for over a year.
I have been noticing a lot of gramatical errors recently. Do the editors ever read this stuff? It should read "If Apple does approve the new service"
I've come to the conclusion that there isn't any editing at this site. None at all. 9th grade English students would find these errors in peer reviews, there is no way paid editors are missing them. It's quite sad because even without an editor anyone who claims to be a "writer" should be able to edit their own submissions and correct such obvious errors. Either they don't care to edit their own submissions or they lack the English language comprehension to do so. Not sure which one.
Wow... so Google has a clear opportunity to leverage and promote Android with a great new app, and instead they just happily port it over to Apple... a company that bitches when people purchase their software legitimately and try to use it on their own hardware.I'm happy for the iPhone users (like my sister), and see this as a good thing... but I'm still pretty confused by Google's actions.
I would say that the supposed millions of people who own an iPhone would be a good marketshare. Got to make money to feed your own R and D.
"Verizon locks the GPS out of every application other than the network's proprietary software, VZ Navigator (Blackberry users, you know what we're talking about)."Verizon has not locked out the GPS on blackberrys for over a year.
They haven't locked the GPS out of HTC Windows Mobile Phones either.
The only thing to worry about if Apple denys it because they plan to make the same app only you have to pay for it.