Google Maps for iPhone Release Pegged for Tonight

A new report suggests that the long-awaited official Google Maps for the iPhone and iPad may be released to Apple’s App Store tonight as an alternative to Apple’s native Maps application.

Read: iOS 6 Native Google Maps App Inches Closer to Launch.

According to AllThingsD, Google Maps for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch may be released to the App Store at some point tonight. Given the source, there is a distinct possibility that the application will indeed be released to iDevice owners at some point in the near future. As of right now, the application has not yet made an appearance in the Apple App Store.

An official Google Maps application for the iPhone and iPad has been rumored since shortly after the iOS 6 update and its native Maps application arrived for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The poor reception to the Apple Maps application led to a public apology from Apple CEO Tim Cook, a list of map alternatives to be featured prominently on the App Store and reportedly, the departure of iOS Chief Scott Forstall from the company altogether.

Due to the poor state of Apple Maps, iPhone and iPad users almost immediately started clamoring for an official Google Maps application and soon after, rumors suggested that it would be out by the end of the year.

In November, a report claimed that Google has begun testing the official Google Maps app for iPhone and that the company was making final revisions to the app in preparation of submitting the app for Apple’s approval.

It’s unclear exactly what the application entails though a previous report suggested that the application will be much improved over the previous version of Google Maps in iOS and will also include voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, something that is also found in Apple’s Maps application.

Google Maps, which was once the default application in iOS, was replaced by Apple’s native Maps application, a service that it introduced in iOS 6. Since then, the only way that iPhone and iPad owners have been able to use Google Maps is through Google’s web application.