Apple's Maps has been one of the major disappointments of iOS 6. While Apple decided that with the introduction of the new mobile OS it will finally get rid of Google's dominance in the maps sector, the company has failed to live up to the expectations and has quite a distance to go before it can compete with Google.
While Google had previously mentioned that it hasn't started any kind of development to provide a substitute Maps app for iOS-based users, the company has continued to back them up with the web-based Maps client. Although the web support isn't much when compared to the actual Google Maps app, it is maintaining the support. Now, per rumors, Google is expected to introduce Street View in its iOS Web-based Google Maps application.
The new report arrived courtesy the Wall Street Journal, after All Things Digital's Walt Mossberg wrote that Google planned to launch the feature on Oct. 4 and that he had a chance to test this web-based Street View.
Mossberg says that the new implementation works relatively smoothly, and users will also be able to drag their fingers and pan through the imagery just like a stand-alone app.
"Google plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding its popular Street View feature, missing from Apple's maps, to the Web version of Google Maps accessed from the iPhone and iPad," wrote Mossberg. "I tested this addition, which displays 360-degree photographic street views of selected locations, and interior photographic views of certain businesses, using sample links Google sent me. These links worked well, allowing me to see the locations and pan around with a finger."
Mossberg seemed quite impressed with the web Street View, stating that it would be easier for users now, with all the problems currently heaping on the Apple Maps.
The report also mentioned that Google was developing a new Maps app for the Apple platform, and that it would arrive as an optional download. This information contradicts Google's previous statement that it was not looking to get back into the iOS platform any time soon.
The report also validated David Pogue's (from NYT) statement from last week when he said that feature would appear "within 2 weeks."
Update: It is now being reported that the feature has already arrived for Apple-based devices. However, the roll-out, as it seems, is only limited to certain areas that are supported. While the service brings back the interactive 360-degree street-level photographs to iOS after Apple replaced the native Google Maps-powered app with its own solution in iOS 6, it is being said that most areas in the U.S. and Canada have already been covered.
