Apple Caves to Maps Outrage Adding Google Tool on IPhone

(Bloomberg) Apple Inc. (AAPL), caving to user outrage over faulty directions in its home-grown navigation tool, has let Google Inc. (GOOG)’s mapping application back onto the iPad and iPhone mobile devices.

The free Google Maps app is available in more than 40 countries and 29 languages, Google said in a blog posting. Google was widely expected to introduce its own app after the version of Apple’s iOS mobile software released in September excluded its popular built-in tool.

Critics faulted Apple’s new application for unreliable landmark searches, routes that get users lost and lack of public transit directions, prompting Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to issue a rare apology to consumers. Google’s map had been installed on every Apple tablet and smartphone since the iPhone’s debut in 2007.

“It’s embarrassing for Apple to reuse Google’s map application as it suggests Apple failed to meet market expectations,” said Hwang Min-Seong, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Samsung Securities Co. “This shows how much harder Apple had to push itself to come up with great innovations, only for it to end up as a big mistake.” .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-13/google-unveils-mapping-application-for-apple-iphone-ipad-users.html