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Do you think Google will eventually release a 3rd party maps app?

acomjean 14y ago
Maybe. Google in the short term seem to be encouraging people install links on the phone to map/youtube services (go to youtube or maps.google.com in mobile safari and you'll be instructed on making the link). The web based google map app is decent. Google+ is a native app however, so I think they'll head that way eventually.
hcarvalhoalves 14y ago
They'll have to. They make money on map advertising anyway, not being on iOS anymore is a big chunk of the market. Unless you believe the Google fanboys, who think Google should exploit this to drive Android sales. In the end it's better than the previous situation for iPhone users, because instead of a stagnant mapping application that wasn't updated for years for political reasons, we'll have competition now - as long as Apple is willing to accept Google Maps on their App Store, which I think they would, since there are many already (even a TomTom one).
redler 14y ago
Google using Maps exclusivity as a lever to drive the sales of Android hardware doesn't really make sense. Google's goal is to place Google properties in front of as many engaged eyes as possible. Sure, there's a cohort of iPhone users at the margin who may now choose Android over this issue (and we're hearing from some of them in this thread). But there's no leverage Google can apply with Maps that will significantly diminish the growing bulk of tens of millions of iPhone users. And Google surely wants that vast army of iPhone users to be engaged users of Google properties, including Maps and related features. Google Maps on iPhone is a net win for Google, and does nothing to diminish Android, where Maps will always be one step ahead and better integrated. Of course Apple may have something to say about Google Maps for iOS 6...
- discodave 14y ago
  The key is to remember that android is the trojan horse to get maps in front of eyeballs not the other way around. You could even go as far as saying that mobile maps was the most important reason to create android.

Maybe. Google in the short term seem to be encouraging people install links on the phone to map/youtube services (go to youtube or maps.google.com in mobile safari and you'll be instructed on making the link). The web based google map app is decent. Google+ is a native app however, so I think they'll head that way eventually.

hcarvalhoalves 14y ago

They'll have to. They make money on map advertising anyway, not being on iOS anymore is a big chunk of the market. Unless you believe the Google fanboys, who think Google should exploit this to drive Android sales. In the end it's better than the previous situation for iPhone users, because instead of a stagnant mapping application that wasn't updated for years for political reasons, we'll have competition now - as long as Apple is willing to accept Google Maps on their App Store, which I think they would, since there are many already (even a TomTom one).

redler 14y ago

Google using Maps exclusivity as a lever to drive the sales of Android hardware doesn't really make sense. Google's goal is to place Google properties in front of as many engaged eyes as possible. Sure, there's a cohort of iPhone users at the margin who may now choose Android over this issue (and we're hearing from some of them in this thread). But there's no leverage Google can apply with Maps that will significantly diminish the growing bulk of tens of millions of iPhone users. And Google surely wants that vast army of iPhone users to be engaged users of Google properties, including Maps and related features. Google Maps on iPhone is a net win for Google, and does nothing to diminish Android, where Maps will always be one step ahead and better integrated. Of course Apple may have something to say about Google Maps for iOS 6...

discodave 14y ago
The key is to remember that android is the trojan horse to get maps in front of eyeballs not the other way around. You could even go as far as saying that mobile maps was the most important reason to create android.