Google is not really giving up on its iOS-based Maps fans and is back in the news with the possible arrival of the Google Maps app for iOS. Now, per reports, sources from within Google have stated that while such an app for Apple’s iOS-based devices is in development, it is still uncertain if Apple will end up approving the app for release in its App Store.
Reports also indicate that a strong possibility exists that Apple may not approve the Google Maps app for iOS. Sources within Google who are familiar with the app’s development stated that they are not too optimistic whether Apple will ever approve a committed Google Maps iOS app. Although the app is reportedly in development and should be ready to ship by the end of the year (probably Christmas), the sources say their plans are only moving forward in "the unlikely event" that Apple will choose to approve the app.
However, not everybody thinks that Google is fighting a lost battle. There are sources who are optimistic about the project, and have pointed to the departure of Scott Forstall as a sign that the new leadership may be more sympathetic towards the users and give them the option of a Google Maps app.
Although this is just an assumption on their part, because the end of Forstall’s time at Apple was reportedly directly linked to the iOS Maps fiasco, there may still be some hope for the iOS users who are looking forward to a dedicated Maps app from Google that will end the problems they had with Apple’s version of Maps.
Per a Guardian report, while some were optimistic about the development of the app, another less than enthusiastic source was not really sure about any increased prospects, “citing industry politics and Apple's need to save face as much as possible and ‘keep moving forward in an effort to make its obviously inferior product better’. The source also cites the present organization of the App Store, which, to them, suggests Apple has little interested in approving an official Google Maps app.”
Although CEO Tim Cook said in October that 200 million devices had been upgraded to iOS 6, the new Apple Maps are now considered as the company's most significant recent failure.
The situation became so grave that it led Cook to issue a rare public apology on behalf of the company, and also to fire Forstall, the chief architect of Apple's iOS and the one responsible for choosing to replace Google's Maps app with Apple's own, last week.
