Apple’s iOS 7’s release date may be pegged for September of this year but Google isn’t waiting that long to unveil some new iOS support updates. Announced today, Google will be adding iPad support as well as live traffic updates, and indoor navigation capabilities to devices running on Apple’s flagship mobile operating system.
Back at its annual Google I/O, the search engine behemoth announced its plans on rolling out an impressive collection of user interface updates and APIs , due out “sometime this summer” on Android and iOS. That time is now.
One of the new updates comes in the form of Google Maps support for the iPad and iPad mini. Apple, to the chagrin of pretty much all of its user-base, infamously moved away from Google’s mapping platform to take a stab at its own Maps app which is often at the top of Apple’s biggest blunders list. Having Google Maps back on the iPad and iPad mini will be a big improvement for those using Apple’s tablet for travel features like live traffic updates, indoor navigation, and the newly released “Explore” pane.
Live traffic updates are a big upgrade for those with blistering road rage. Dynamic re-routing will find alternative routes when on the road incidents actually occur, so that if you do end up being stuck bumper-to-bumper Maps will find detours to help quell that anger.
Indoor navigation is a nifty new refurbishment for those who find themselves in sprawling locales like shopping malls, airports, museums, and more. Maneuver from hall to hall and room to room with relative ease and without the impending feeling of being lost.
The new Explore feature is billed by Google as being “a new way to browse and discover popular local places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep.” Similar to standalone ratings apps like Yelp, Explore uses Zagat ratings aggregated from your personal likes as well as those of your friends to pinpoint and filter shopping, dining, and other venues in close proximity.
All of these features are now available in the free Google Maps app, a 11.6MB download from the App Store. Let us know how much you enjoy the new features in our comments section below.
[Images via Apple Insider]
