Google Maps 2.0 Is Available On iOS – New Web Interface Is Accessible To Anyone

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On July 17, 2013

A week ago, Google announced the launch of the new version of Google Maps. If Android users have been enjoying it almost immediately, iOS users had to wait until today. On this occasion, the new Web interface, which was only available on an invitation, became accessible to everyone.

From failing its launch last year and until now, Apple has failed to make a Apple Maps product more attractive. Consequently, the release of Google Maps 2.0 for the iOS platform is good news for users of Apple terminals, especially for those who use iPad tablets, which received the original 1.0 version in December last year.

The application uses moderate interface which debuted for the first time in Google Maps 1.0 for iOS and brings as news, beyond native support for iPad, Waze integration for real-time traffic updates and incident signal. Compared to the Android version, Google Maps 2.0 for iOS does not include automatic route recalculation based on these data, the option will be implemented in a future release. The new version brings maps for buildings interiors with their guidance, where available, and the new Explore menu for easier discovery of nearby points of interest.

On this occasion, the new version of Google Maps Web became accessible by default, which is so far only available on an invitation. This brings as news a full screen interface, vector maps and WebGL support by default, also Google Earth integration. It is still in beta but so many facilities are still absent. Fortunately, the button to return to the old Google Maps still works.