The controversial launch of Apple’s new Maps on iOS 6 has been at the forefront of news this week, with additional information emerging from AllThingsD today about the reasoning behind Apple ditching Google Maps in favor of its own in-house mapping solution. According to the report, Apple split up with Google because the two companies had differing views towards voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation on iOS devices.

Spoken turn-by-turn navigation has been a free service offered through Google’s Android mobile OS for a few years now. But it was never part of the deal that brought Google’s Maps to iOS. And sources say Apple very much wanted it to be. Requiring iPhone users to look directly at handsets for directions and manually move through each step — while Android users enjoyed native voice-guided instructions — put Apple at a clear disadvantage in the mobile space. And having chosen Google as its original mapping partner, the iPhone maker was now in a position where an archrival was calling the shots on functionality important to the iOS maps feature set.

Essentially, Google was calling the shots with regards to spoken turn-by-turn navigation on the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, giving its Android operating system a clear advantage in the mobile industry. Evidently, Apple was displeased about this situation enough to break its ties with Google Maps entirely and transition towards its own mapping service. (more…)

Apple’s new Maps application has ignited quite a controversy since it launched a few weeks ago as part of the iOS 6 software update for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The cloud-based service has come under fire by iOS device owners for its lack of public transportation information, incorrect search results and poor mapping coverage in several areas, although Apple has promised that the app will improve over time.

Today, a new report surfaced on The Verge that claims Apple still had over one year left in its Google Maps contract; interesting, since Apple could have waited until its new Maps app was more polished before releasing it to the public prematurely. What do you think? Should Apple waited until the launch of iOS 7 — presumably next year — before releasing its own in-house mapping solution?

The sudden decision by Apple to drop Google Maps in iOS reportedly came as a shock to Google, which still has several months to go before it finalizes its own App Store edition of Google Maps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Google is likely to include its own 3D mapping in its Google Maps app, similar to what Google Earth already offers on iOS devices.

[The Verge]

British people like Apple — a lot, apparently. So much, in fact, that Apple was voted as the coolest brand in the United Kingdom over other popular services including Google, Twitter and YouTube. Apple also topped luxury car makers Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz, ice cream brands Ben & Jerry’s and Häagen-Dazs, Sony, Skype and Bose among others.

The survey was conducted by CoolBrands and its results were determined by the responses given by 3,000 consumers and a panel of 39 experts. Aston Martin held the top spot for the past six of seven consecutive years in which the survey was held, although Apple and YouTube took over its usual territory and dropped the car maker to third place. Check out the complete top 20 list ahead. (more…)