Google reportedly readying iOS Maps app for release

Google is reportedly getting ready to roll out an iOS version of its maps app to the public.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the internet giant has begun rolling out a test version of the app to people outside the country.

Quoting someone with “direct knowledge of the matter”, the Journal said that the company is busy putting the final touches on the app before it goes for approval on the iTunes store. It’s unclear however when the app will be approved by Apple.

If the map is approved it’ll be the first time Google Maps has had a real iOS presence since Apple ditched it in favour of its own mapping system.

A Google spokesperson said: “We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.”

When Apple released its own mapping service with iOS 6, it launched its own version of Maps which backfired almost immediately. Some of the flaws in the service turned out to be pure comedy gold, except maybe for the people actually using them for navigation.

Maps isn’t the first Google app that Apple’s killed as competition between the two companies increases. Earlier this year, it also killed YouTube integration, before Google came back with its own app — released to the app store in September.