New Google Maps App For iOS Includes Dedicated iPad Experience

Just a few hours after opening up the new Google Maps desktop version to anyone interested, Google has followed up by announcing new Google Maps apps for iOS. The big news is that, for the first time, there’s a dedicated iPad experience of Google Maps. Sure, you could use the previous Google Maps app on […]

Chat with SearchBot

google-maps-logo-smJust a few hours after opening up the new Google Maps desktop version to anyone interested, Google has followed up by announcing new Google Maps apps for iOS.

The big news is that, for the first time, there’s a dedicated iPad experience of Google Maps. Sure, you could use the previous Google Maps app on your iPad (or iPad Mini), but you were just getting an enlarged version of the iPhone app that launched last December. The new iOS app offers separate designs for the two devices.

Here are a couple screenshots from the iPad app.

google-maps-ipad-1

google-maps-ipad-2

The new iOS Google Maps app also includes a new “Explore” feature that auto-suggests local places without having to actually search. (Foursquare has a similar feature with the same name.) Other features of the new app:

  • Enhanced navigation, including live traffic updates, road closures and other incident reports.
  • Indoor maps for malls, airports and transit stations.
  • 5-star ratings (replacing the 30-point Zagat scoring system)
  • deals from Google Offers
  • Biking directions and navigation

The new iOS app and features mirror what Google announced for Android a week ago.


Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Matt McGee
Contributor
Matt McGee joined Third Door Media as a writer/reporter/editor in September 2008. He served as Editor-In-Chief from January 2013 until his departure in July 2017. He can be found on Twitter at @MattMcGee.

Get the must-read newsletter for search marketers.