Google says its navigation will come to iPhone, if Apple approves

[AppleInsider]

Google on Wednesday revealed a free online navigation service that will be a part of its forthcoming Android 2.0 mobile operating system. It could also come to the iPhone, the company said, if given the green light by Apple.

A beta of Google Maps Navigation will arrive next week when the Motorola Droid smartphone debuts on Verizon's network. The service will be added to all other Android devices, as well, when they are formally updated to version 2.0.

Google said it would also like to support the iPhone with Maps Navigation.

"Apple is a close partner," a Google spokesperson told AppleInsider Wednesday. "Millions of users experience Google Maps on the iPhone. We will continue to work with Apple to bring innovation, including Latitude and Navigation, to users but you'll have to speak to Apple about availability."

In July, Google released a Web-based version of its Latitude service rather than a native application. Apple allegedly did not allow it to be released as a native application for download on the App Store to avoid confusion with the native, Google-created Maps application.

The biggest iPhone-related dispute between Google and Apple came when the Google Voice application was not accepted into the App Store, prompting an investigation from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Google has claimed that its app was formally rejected, while Apple insists it is still pondering the software.

As Google has continued to encroach on Apple's core businesses, CEO Eric Schmidt was forced to resign from the Apple Board of Directors. Another common link between the two companies' boards, Arthur Levinson, also resigned from Google. Both came in the wake of an investigation from the Federal Trade Commission over anticompetitive concerns.

Despite the appearance of growing tension between the two technology giants, Schmidt recently insisted there is no bad blood between his company and Apple. "We love the iPhone," he said.

[MacTel]

I approve. Is that good enough?

[w00master]

I can't see why Apple wouldn't approve the app - regardless on whether or not there's animosity between the companies. There are plenty of GPS Navigation apps out on the app store, so Google's shouldn't be any different.

w00master

[solipsism]

Hmm.. I wonder if the determining factor for App Store acceptance (or even as default iPhone Maps acceptance) is whether Apple thinks this Android app will be popular enough to sway people to these other devices.

[TenoBell]

So far Apple's been pretty good about integrating Google Map functionality into the iPhone Map App.

I cannot think of any reason why Apple would be so stubborn to not include the navigation software. But its difficult to ever know with Apple.

Originally Posted by solipsism

Hmm.. I wonder if the determining factor for App Store acceptance (or even as default iPhone Maps acceptance) is whether Apple thinks this Android app will be popular enough to sway people to these other devices.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

So far Apple's been pretty good about integrating Google Map functionality into the iPhone Map App.

I cannot think of any reason why Apple would be so stubborn to not include the navigation software. But its difficult to ever know with Apple.

Interpreted code excuse? I’d like to see this feature built into the default Maps app, and hopefully it will, but Apple does some wonky things sometimes that make no sense to me despite trying to see it through their eyes.

[al_bundy]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

So far Apple's been pretty good about integrating Google Map functionality into the iPhone Map App.

I cannot think of any reason why Apple would be so stubborn to not include the navigation software. But its difficult to ever know with Apple.

the iphone map app is Google Maps

the difference between tomtom and the google apps will be that the Google one is essentially spyware

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

So far Apple's been pretty good about integrating Google Map functionality into the iPhone Map App.

I cannot think of any reason why Apple would be so stubborn to not include the navigation software. But its difficult to ever know with Apple.

The Maps app in the iPhone was actually developed by Apple not Google. There is no reason to reject Google Navigation app. The only thing I see is that TomTom and other paid navigation app developers will get upset if Google gave away their app for free.

[sheff]

yay! unless apple can build something better...

[TenoBell]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

The Maps app in the iPhone was actually developed by Apple not Google. There is no reason to reject Google Navigation app. The only thing I see is that TomTom and other paid navigation app developers will get upset if Google gave away their app for free.

Yes I know Apple developed the Maps app, its built on Google Map tiles and services.

Apple has already rejected Google mapping apps saying they would be confused with the the iPhones standard maps. So its unlikely they will approve Google Navigation app. Unless Apple breaks its own rules, building it into the current Map app is the only option.

the difference between tomtom and the google apps will be that the Google one is essentially spyware

What exactly makes Google Navigation spyware more than any other GPS mapping service?

[treestman]

Why is Google already placing the burden of acceptance on Apple? After all, Apple's already accepted a boatload of navigation apps, if Google's was just another one there'd be no problem, so why the PR campaign?

I wonder if it's because Google knows it's not like the other nav apps. The others supply their own maps, but Google's may want to tap in via Google Maps on the iPhone. Despite the name, Google Maps is written solely by Apple (it simply utilizes Google's map tiles). If Google's nav app replaces some of the GM functionality, Apple would likely not allow it. Maybe Google knows this, hence the PR campaign.

Further, Apple recently bought their own map firm, and there's speculation they may be eventually use it instead of Google's maps. Since Google recently added ads to their maps, this would be a loss of revenue. In fact, it could potentially be a HUGE loss. The nav app might be the "Trojan Horse" to try to keep Apple from shifting away.

Finally, even if none of the above is true, Google, no, I will not "speak to Apple about availability" of an app that's in beta and obviously not even submitted to the App Store. Again, the PR campaign started early, and it makes me wonder about true motives (I KNOW it's not just to put a free app in the hands of iPhone users). When the app is out of beta (will that take years like Google Mail, Docs, etc.?) and submitted to Apple, then get back to me.

[Sgt Zeppelin]

They better add Latitude to the maps app too! This would probably add a lot of new users to the service and make it even more useful.

[iansilv]

Apple should approve.

Just sayin'

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

Yes I know Apple developed the Maps app, its built on Google Map tiles and services.

Apple has already rejected Google mapping apps saying they would be confused with the the iPhones standard maps. So its unlikely they will approve Google Navigation app. Unless Apple breaks its own rules, building it into the current Map app is the only option.

Google Earth is mapping app by Google and it was not rejected. Furthermore, the iPhone does not have built-in turn-by-turn navigation app to cause confusion. Google Navigation, if submitted, will be treated like any other turn by turn navigation app (TomTom for example).

[TenoBell]

Google Earth is more like a 3D atlas for exploration its not intended for navigation.

Originally Posted by NasserAE

Google Earth is mapping app by Google and it was not rejected. Furthermore, the iPhone does not have built-in turn-by-turn navigation app to cause confusion. Google Navigation, if submitted, will be treated like any other turn by turn navigation app (TomTom for example).

[LighteningKid]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

Yes I know Apple developed the Maps app, its built on Google Map tiles and services.

Apple has already rejected Google mapping apps saying they would be confused with the the iPhones standard maps. So its unlikely they will approve Google Navigation app. Unless Apple breaks its own rules, building it into the current Map app is the only option.



What exactly makes Google Navigation spyware more than any other GPS mapping service?

If Apple is planning on replacing the maps app that is currently based on Google with something else, then they will really have no excuse not to allow the Google navigation app, because there will no longer by any overlap with core features.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

Google Earth is more like a 3D atlas for exploration its not intended for navigation.

So is the built in Maps app. There is no built-in iPhone navigation app. Maps give you directions and shows you where you are but lacks turn by turn real time directions, voice directions, and other essentials required for real navigation. I admit that I use the Maps apps while driving but not without someone next to me telling me what do to next. Basically you need a passenger to act as your turn by turn voice navigation feature if you want to use the Maps app

[Cleverboy]

Apple should probably take advantage of having the Google Navigator and just focus on adding value to it that distinguishes the platform.

That said... Google is become scarier and scarier.

Can everyone see what they're doing?

The Droid looks to be the best gambit yet towards creating a vision of the future of mobile computing. Android is a container implementing Google's best practices for their various cloud APIs. Anyone who thinks "iPhone vs. Droid" is missing the point. Google is doing an "end-run" on becoming integrated into EVERY device and EVERY operating system on the planet. Android is Google's insurance that their cloud computing platform cannot be marginalized. By keeping most of their value in the cloud, they can afford to "open source" the core system. By virtually giving away Android OS, and doing everything to popularize the platform, Google makes its services more attractive to other operating systems (like iPhone OS).

When I saw Google Mobile, with its Voice Search relying on the Google search engine, I became very impressed with the ability to use the power of a search engine to decipher voice input into likely commands. "THAT's power!", I thought. I made a post on another forum saying that Apple or Google should extend this to an entire operating system. --Google has now done that ADMIRABLY, and continued to push it even further with its amazing new "Turn-by-Turn Navigation" features.

Suddenly, Apple's game just got a LOT smaller, and its VERY clear why Apple could not readily allow Google Voice to appropriate its phone features. Google has set out to PUNK everyone who's not paying attention. They will give away services left-and-right. Some silly writers will think Google will "hold back" functions from Apple, when in reality Google is only too happy to offer them to Apple for integration into the iPhone. When Apple doesn't use the technology, Google will be only too happy to create a new iPhone app. Google Maps for Mobile will permeate every OS. Google services will find their way into a myriad of custom applications on each device.

Buy Google stock. Sell short on TomTom, Garmin, RIM, Palm and Nokia.

Apple? They're quickly becoming one of the only remaining two companies that will be able to compete with Google's game plan. In modern times, we will quickly realize that we do not know the meaning of the word "monopoly". Years from now, we will realize this as a pivotal moment before Google became the most powerful corporation on the face of the planet. When governments begin to understand and attempt to legislate the problem, it will be virtually impossible to understand how to even begin breaking Google up.

There will be no clear "categories" Google will fall into. Everything will be part of one pervasive miasma hooked into the same backend.

~ CB

[pats]

Goggles terms of service have said that Turn by turn was not allowed. So we introduce turn by turn and what? The front end to the Map app is built by Apple so to integrate this new functionality requires a new software release. Is this hard ? Probably not, but Apple works on a schedule and if google brings new functionality to their offerings then Apple will most likely take advantage of them. Folks are falling over themselves because google announced new capability in 2.0. Andriod is freeware the way to go? Why wouldn't google be on the Iphone train? Google makes their dollar in search so it they piss off Apple maybe it's bing

[TenoBell]

If they use something else I can agree.

Originally Posted by LighteningKid

If Apple is planning on replacing the maps app that is currently based on Google with something else, then they will really have no excuse not to allow the Google navigation app, because there will no longer by any overlap with core features.

[anantksundaram]

C'mon, Apple. This one has to be a no-brainer - please do it yesterday.

It looks to be really useful, and well-designed. And, it would help you to quickly take out the perception that the Droid is a 'cool' device (ref. the hundreds of news stories today) because of this one app.

[ILoveFootball]

Originally Posted by anantksundaram

C'mon, Apple. This one has to be a no-brainer - please do it yesterday.

It looks to be really useful, and well-designed. And, it would help you to quickly take out the perception that the Droid is a 'cool' device (ref. the hundreds of news stories today) because of this one app.

You don't think that Google had this planned for the last 2 years at the very least?

Really?...

Google also announced their music plan today, seems most missed it in the hype of Droid.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28...-in-hollywood/

Partnered with
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28...pace-and-lala/

Regarding the maps app
Article Name
Google Should Make Apple Beg For Maps Navigation
Link
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28...ps-navigation/

Where's the cool factor?

Google has
Navigation
Books
OS
Mobile OS
Music Partners
Search
Browser
Email
Cloud Apps for Business and Los Angeles Ca signed on as a Google Partner over Microsoft (30,00 city employees)
http://www.komonews.com/news/tech/66928257.html


Apple got a good Bitch Slapped today... How will they respond? Allow all of Googles apps onto the iPhone?
Might as well put a Google Logo on it at that point.

I don't want to hear about next June and the new iPhone.
I want to know why I shouldn't buy Droid?

Busy day for Google.

[TenoBell]

Another option could be that Apple did not purchase Placebase for its software. But purchased it for its software engineers, to help them turn the Map app into a navigation app still using Google Navigation.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by ILoveFootball

Where's the cool factor?

Apple has

Navigation
Books
OS
Mobile OS
Music Partners
Search
Browser
Email
Cloud Apps

Maybe when Google is done copying the iPhone they can actually think for themselves and release something intereesting that hasn't already been done by Apple, and done better.

A free navigation app does not an iPhone-killer make. Maybe if Google and its partners began giving away these Droid things for free then we's really see product move. It worked for RIM for a while, after all.

Apple bundles iTunes, too. That's free.

All we have are promises so far. Droid is an interesting device by perveption only, since it's unreleased.

Right now it's lookkng like a Palm Pre rehash.

[ILoveFootball]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Maybe when Google is done copying the iPhone they can actually think for themselves and release something intereesting that hasn't already been done by Apple, and done better.

A free navigation app does not an iPhone-killer make. Maybe if Google and its partners began giving away these Droid things for free then we's really see product move. It worked for RIM for a while, after all.

Apple bundles iTunes, too. That's free.

All we have are promises so far. Droid is an interesting device by perveption only, since it's unreleased.

Right now it's lookkng like a Palm Pre rehash.

Letting your grammer slide I'll just say this is what Verizon/Google/Motorola has planned for Times Square.
Article Name
Here's what Times Square will look like
Article Name
Verizon Wireless to take over Times Square with the Motorola DROID

Link
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/...otorola-droid/

And by the way...
Right now what you have is the best tech sites in the US that has the Droid and love it.

I don't see anything that even remotely resembles the iPhone.

I see innovation and evolution at its best.

Maybe if Google and its partners began giving away these Droid things for free then we's really see product move. It worked for RIM for a while, after all.

Rim has 4 of the top 6 phones on the market today.

[SpamSandwich]

Google is being very clever, setting the stage to pit upset iPhone users against Apple if Google GPS is rejected. This would set the stage to draw irritated iPhone users into the Droid/Android/G2 camp. At any rate, Apple is now behind the curve in addressing this issue, Google looks like the "good guy". Teh Steve had better address this or offer a better alternative right fast.

[ILoveFootball]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

Google is being very clever, setting the stage to pit upset iPhone users against Apple if Google GPS is rejected. This would set the stage to draw irritated iPhone users into the Droid/Android/G2 camp. At any rate, Apple is now behind the curve in addressing this issue, Google looks like the "good guy". Teh Steve had better address this or offer a better alternative right fast.

Steve purchased a mapping software that was going out of business.

Let me make this perfectly clear.

Apple needs Google. And Google is going to cash in on it.

Good time to rethink your portfolio. Remember the Razor? There couldn't be a cooler phone than that. If you didn't have a Razor you were last years tech.

Unfortunately for Apple it's 3 year old tech with a closed App Store.

Google isn't being clever. It's doing business with good partners. Something Apple has burned way too many times.

[str1f3]

It's starting to really bother me the control that Google is having over people's lives. I wonder at what point they start to be called a monopoly. It's almost starting to look like 1984 with Google playing the role as Big Brother. They are getting to the point where they know every single thing that you do from what books you've read to knowing where you go all under the guise of being free. I'm also sure that eventually many gov'ts would love to get their hands on this. People have this idea that Google is great because it's free. Meanwhile Google is collecting all the info that we would never consider letting our own government have.

I'm hoping that Apple offers an alternative to this. The power in tech is becoming way too consolidated in Google's hands. LOL, there may come a day very soon where MS and Apple will have to team up against Google.

[TenoBell]

A monopoly isn't illegal. Abuse of monopolistic position to limit competition is illegal.

To be considered a monopoly you have to have exclusive control over a market, Google has its hands in a lot of places but doesn't have exclusive control over anything.

Originally Posted by str1f3

It's starting to really bother me the control that Google is having over people's lives. I wonder at what point they start to be called a monopoly.

[TenoBell]

I think Apple purchased mapping software engineers, not their product.

Originally Posted by ILoveFootball

Steve purchased a mapping software that was going out of business.

[jglavin]

Originally Posted by Cleverboy

Apple should probably take advantage of having the Google Navigator and just focus on adding value to it that distinguishes the platform.

That said... Google is become scarier and scarier.

Can everyone see what they're doing?

The Droid looks to be the best gambit yet towards creating a vision of the future of mobile computing. Android is a container implementing Google's best practices for their various cloud APIs. Anyone who thinks "iPhone vs. Droid" is missing the point. Google is doing an "end-run" on becoming integrated into EVERY device and EVERY operating system on the planet. Android is Google's insurance that their cloud computing platform cannot be marginalized. By keeping most of their value in the cloud, they can afford to "open source" the core system. By virtually giving away Android OS, and doing everything to popularize the platform, Google makes its services more attractive to other operating systems (like iPhone OS).

When I saw Google Mobile, with its Voice Search relying on the Google search engine, I became very impressed with the ability to use the power of a search engine to decipher voice input into likely commands. "THAT's power!", I thought. I made a post on another forum saying that Apple or Google should extend this to an entire operating system. --Google has now done that ADMIRABLY, and continued to push it even further with its amazing new "Turn-by-Turn Navigation" features.

Suddenly, Apple's game just got a LOT smaller, and its VERY clear why Apple could not readily allow Google Voice to appropriate its phone features. Google has set out to PUNK everyone who's not paying attention. They will give away services left-and-right. Some silly writers will think Google will "hold back" functions from Apple, when in reality Google is only too happy to offer them to Apple for integration into the iPhone. When Apple doesn't use the technology, Google will be only too happy to create a new iPhone app. Google Maps for Mobile will permeate every OS. Google services will find their way into a myriad of custom applications on each device.

Buy Google stock. Sell short on TomTom, Garmin, RIM, Palm and Nokia.

Apple? They're quickly becoming one of the only remaining two companies that will be able to compete with Google's game plan. In modern times, we will quickly realize that we do not know the meaning of the word "monopoly". Years from now, we will realize this as a pivotal moment before Google became the most powerful corporation on the face of the planet. When governments begin to understand and attempt to legislate the problem, it will be virtually impossible to understand how to even begin breaking Google up.

There will be no clear "categories" Google will fall into. Everything will be part of one pervasive miasma hooked into the same backend.

~ CB

You make some good points here. Problem is, 99% of users are and will continue to welcome it with open arms.

[myapplelove]

"if apple accepts it"

and if the don't we -google- will of course accuse them of monopoly practises, as if apple isn't allowed to let whatever the heck they choose on their own platform.

Google is a joke, I remain unimpressed by their offerings, besides the search engine (which has progressed at all in these years of innovation but remains the same monolithic circa 2000 thing) I am still to be impressed by what they provide, actually what do they provide realisticaly? If ms hadn't been so miserably pathetic people wouldn't have turned to google from some semblances of innovation. The google chrome, wow tabs on top, such innovation...

let's also not forget how google is the no 1 spyware on the globe, tapping all of us.

maybe it's time we started boycotting these a holes, we ll have much the same results with yahoo or the (great) altavista.

[Animaniac]

Originally Posted by Cleverboy

Apple should probably take advantage of having the Google Navigator and just focus on adding value to it that distinguishes the platform.

That said... Google is become scarier and scarier.

Can everyone see what they're doing?

The Droid looks to be the best gambit yet towards creating a vision of the future of mobile computing. Android is a container implementing Google's best practices for their various cloud APIs. Anyone who thinks "iPhone vs. Droid" is missing the point. Google is doing an "end-run" on becoming integrated into EVERY device and EVERY operating system on the planet. Android is Google's insurance that their cloud computing platform cannot be marginalized. By keeping most of their value in the cloud, they can afford to "open source" the core system. By virtually giving away Android OS, and doing everything to popularize the platform, Google makes its services more attractive to other operating systems (like iPhone OS).

When I saw Google Mobile, with its Voice Search relying on the Google search engine, I became very impressed with the ability to use the power of a search engine to decipher voice input into likely commands. "THAT's power!", I thought. I made a post on another forum saying that Apple or Google should extend this to an entire operating system. --Google has now done that ADMIRABLY, and continued to push it even further with its amazing new "Turn-by-Turn Navigation" features.

Suddenly, Apple's game just got a LOT smaller, and its VERY clear why Apple could not readily allow Google Voice to appropriate its phone features. Google has set out to PUNK everyone who's not paying attention. They will give away services left-and-right. Some silly writers will think Google will "hold back" functions from Apple, when in reality Google is only too happy to offer them to Apple for integration into the iPhone. When Apple doesn't use the technology, Google will be only too happy to create a new iPhone app. Google Maps for Mobile will permeate every OS. Google services will find their way into a myriad of custom applications on each device.

Buy Google stock. Sell short on TomTom, Garmin, RIM, Palm and Nokia.

Apple? They're quickly becoming one of the only remaining two companies that will be able to compete with Google's game plan. In modern times, we will quickly realize that we do not know the meaning of the word "monopoly". Years from now, we will realize this as a pivotal moment before Google became the most powerful corporation on the face of the planet. When governments begin to understand and attempt to legislate the problem, it will be virtually impossible to understand how to even begin breaking Google up.

There will be no clear "categories" Google will fall into. Everything will be part of one pervasive miasma hooked into the same backend.

~ CB

Thank you!!! Finally someone who gets it! While it sounds like there are some undertones of Google becoming unfairly monopolistic, thus far, they have been mostly class, and I don't see this as malevolent at all. They are one of the forces bringing mobile out of the stone age.

[ILoveFootball]

Originally Posted by myapplelove

"if apple accepts it"

and if the don't we -google- will of course accuse them of monopoly practises, as if apple isn't allowed to let whatever the heck they choose on their own platform.

Google is a joke, I remain unimpressed by their offerings, besides the search engine (which has progressed at all in these years of innovation but remains the same monolithic circa 2000 thing) I am still to be impressed by what they provide, actually what do they provide realisticaly? If ms hadn't been so miserably pathetic people wouldn't have turned to google from some semblances of innovation. The google chrome, wow tabs on top, such innovation...

let's also not forget how google is the no 1 spyware on the globe, tapping all of us.

Google is not a joke.

It's Apple's worst nightmare happenng all on the same day.

Apple is puttig an iPhone app in the store that is Google's new music store.

I wonder why Google planned all of this for one day?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2...earch-launched

The Apple Store App waiting for approval.
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/28...ng-iphone-app/

[karmadave]

The money quote, from Eric Schmidt is "We love the iPhone". Why shouldn't they? Leverage Apple's R&D and bring similar functionality to the lots of devices. Isn't that what Android is all about? Google is simply taking a page from Microsoft's book...

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by TenoBell

Another option could be that Apple did not purchase Placebase for its software. But purchased it for its software engineers, to help them turn the Map app into a navigation app still using Google Navigation.

They bought Placebase both for the Engineers and to extend the APIs into Cocoa native ones. PushPin APIs are public and continue to be updated:

http://www.pushpin.com/api/1.3/docs/

There are a lot of APIs changes and samples for anyone to use.

[mdriftmeyer]

Originally Posted by karmadave

The money quote, from Eric Schmidt is "We love the iPhone". Why shouldn't they? Leverage Apple's R&D and bring similar functionality to the lots of devices. Isn't that what Android is all about? Google is simply taking a page from Microsoft's book...

Correct. After they made all that valuation on future advertising profits all they've done is try to copy every hot tech they can get their hands on.

Sorry, but Java isn't Cocoa and it never will be.

[Gwydion]

Originally Posted by Quadra 610

Maybe when Google is done copying the iPhone they can actually think for themselves and release something intereesting that hasn't already been done by Apple, and done better.

You're joking, isn't?

[ivan.rnn01]

I don't even think GOOG will push iPhone Latitude/Navigation diligent... Right now it rather sounds like "now Apple, you beg us for this"...

[samanjj]

Originally Posted by Cleverboy

There will be no clear "categories" Google will fall into. Everything will be part of one pervasive miasma hooked into the same backend.

~ CB

Google is Yahoo but more successful. If you want to legislate against them, you would ban pervasive advertising in your country. Game over for google.