How Google was "skyhooked" by Apple's new iOS 6 Maps

The writer is an abject moron.

The previous maps app was coded by Apple, but used data licensed from Google. Without that data, maps are worthless. It will take Apple years to get to a level resembling the quality of the Google maps. I'm referring to the POIs, accuracy, maintenance, etc etc.

Anyone thinking otherwise knows nothing about the complexity of mapping and routing (I do: used to work for a company that licensed data to Google maps, and marketed the first trip planners in Europe -- no, not TomTom).

This was a gift from the Gods for Google. I betcha it would take Google no more than a month or two to code their own app if they had to start today, which they wouldn't have to, the switch wasnt a secret, and another 6 months to have it approved by the Apple gatekeepers.

However, why would Google do this? The google maps web version covers most immediate needs (great search results, good routing) and as announced, they anticipate adding a web version of street view shortly. This is pure WIN for google. Loads of goodwill for saving the day, loads of crappy Apple apps with Apple maps, and they'll have Q4 to look forward to with many many additional activations of Android (S3, Note II, etc.) so who's in a rush?

Meanwhile, I rue the day I upgraded to IOS6. Siri is sucky. Tethered WiFi connections have issues. All apps that use the standard "maps" component are ruined...

I also see class action lawsuits and EU rulings in Apple's future... for failure to provide an option to revert to IOS5, rendering old hardware less useful and ruining apps, and locking in the user base to sub-par solutions because of their monopolisitc control. Remember Microsoft and IE? History will repeat itself. It always does.

>>>Additionally, all the work to produce a new Goggle Maps Navigation+Earth for iOS would need to be paid for by ads (just like Google's free Chrome browser or YouTube app for iOS), because few iOS users would be likely to pay anything substantial to replace Apple's own Maps with Google's version. In contrast, Apple's software development is funded through profitable hardware sales.

Now this is just goofy. Google doesn't have ads in chrome. It is a loss leader used to propel web related research forward. Youtube does have ads, but mostly to cover bandwidth costs, and has never turned a profit. Google could easily release an app without any form of profit just to retain user share.

"However, Apple's surprise announcement left Google with no recourse but to heap complaints upon Apple's new Maps while having nothing to offer as an alternative apart from its own limited web app. "

Wait... So Apple's Maps is actually wonderful, and all complaints are actually by Google? It's not since the new Maps app provides a subpar experience to the old Google-powered Maps app?

> Google faced the task of not just porting its existing Android Maps version to iOS, but improving upon its features and appearance to match Apple's own version. That would logically include matching the 3D features of Flyover

Does anyone really care about Flyover, aside from a neat first-time demo? How can you say "Google will have to put in an alternative to Flyover" without thinking the same thing about Apple and Street View?

I'm also laughing at the part where he spins Apple's lack of Transit as a plus.

...From Tim Cook's letter, I'd say that Google showing up with a nice maps app would be quite a boon to Apple right now. This article seems to not match reality.

What the hell.. junk like appleinsider is making the front page of HN now?

>>> Apple's surprise decision to launch its own Maps service in iOS 6 caught Google off guard

Google had early warning when they saw Apple acquiring several maps companies over the years:

http://9to5mac.com/2011/10/29/apple-acquired-mind-blowing-3d...

The Reality Distortion Field lives on!

First I learned about Google "Microsofting" Skyhook on the Location Servics deals.