Why Apple Replaced iOS Maps

Posted by timothy on Thursday September 27, 2012 @05:45AM from the gnomes-in-the-glass-garden dept.

tlhIngan writes "So why did Apple decide to ditch the (working) iOS maps app with one based on their own data (despite having one more year to the contract)? It turns out to be turn-by-turn voice navigation. It wasn't a feature in the original Apple-Google licensing agreement, so Apple went back to Google to renegotiate what has become a top-tier feature on Android. Apple wanted it. In return, Google wanted increased branding in the maps app (Apple refused) or to integrate Latitude (Google's FourSquare competitor), to which Apple refused as well. As a result Apple was forced to seek other sources in order to obtain this feature." Eventually, iOS users who don't want to wait for Apple-Google parity will be able to download a native version of Google's maps (rather than a hacked version), but that could be a ways off.

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every time i hear iOS by who_stole_my_kidneys · 2012-09-27 06:15 · Score: 5, Funny

i still think of Cisco.
Re:A Few Key Points by Anonymous Coward · 2012-09-27 06:36 · Score: 0, Funny

I hope for everyone's safety that this "feature" has been fixed.
Sounds like it's working as intended. Many people who use Apple products are willing to die for them.
Re:Here is more from John Gruber of Daring Firebal by JonJ · 2012-09-27 07:37 · Score: 3, Funny

With his little tank?

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Re:No need to.... by jcr · 2012-09-27 14:50 · Score: 4, Funny

Sure they are. What's your point?
-jcr

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