Apple received significant criticism when it replaced Google Maps in iOS 6 with its own custom mapping solution. Google has since been said to be working on releasing its own standalone version to be released in the iOS App Store.
App Map [iTunes Link] developer Ben Guild has posted some early details and partial screenshots from Google's upcoming Maps application for iOS.
According to Guild, the standalone version of Google Maps for iOS is presently in alpha testing, but has some promising improvements over the old Google Maps. Guild reports that the new Google Maps is vector-based, has two-finger rotation to any angle, is "super fast" and supports the taller iPhone 5 screen.
The released partial screenshots aren't particularly revealing, but do seem to show that work is actively being done on the product. An early report claimed that Google may be targeting release by Christmas of this year. Meanwhile, Apple has been making improvements to its own Maps over time.
If you pay for certain iCloud+ storage plans beyond the 5GB that Apple offers for free, you will receive two more perks on iOS 27 at no additional cost.
A summary of the two new iCloud+ perks on iOS 27:Increased daily usage limits for some new Apple Intelligence features, including image generation in the revamped Image Playground app.
HomeKit Secure Video cameras receive generated video...
Apple's first product release of summer 2026 occurred this week, but do not get too excited, as it is merely the Beats Solo Buds in a new color.
Beats Solo Buds are now offered in orange through Best Buy in the U.S., with availability set to expand to 7-Eleven stores in Japan on July 4.
Apple already offered orange Solo Buds in India for free with the purchase of an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 ...
Apple supplier Tata Electronics recently suffered a cyberattack that resulted in thousands of confidential files being published on the dark web, and this reportedly included some photos and documents related to the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro.
We have elected not to share any of the leaked photos in this story due to the illegal nature in which they were obtained, but they can easily be found...
I just drove 12,642mi cross country (2x) using the iOS6 maps app on the iPad as my only source of directions, and didn't have a single issue. I really expected chaos, but it's been fine. Doubt I'll bother with a second Maps app.
If they had stuck with the old, outdated Maps app, iOS users would still be stuck without turn-by-turn and vector graphics.
Now we will be spoiled for choice. Apple Maps will continue to get better, and if for some reason it continues to bother you, there's going to be choice. There are benefits to having so many choices for apps...it's still Apple's greatest advantage.
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a ~5.5-inch outer display and a ~7.8-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
