In an odd twist, iOS is getting an app update after Android.
Today's Google Maps app update for iOS includes nearly all the new features that debuted in last week's big update for Android. Also, the iOS version, which you can download now, includes support for all handsets and tablets running iOS 6: the iPhone, iPod Touch and the iPad.
Like the Android version, the redesigned app features a cleaner overall experience with some new bells and whistles, but the real emphasis is on discovery. It's obvious that helping you locate nearby items of interest is a very serious goal for Google right now. To help surface all the things around you, the app's updated search results display red icons of locations that meet your search criteria. Also, new Info Sheets (Google's name for the Google Now cards found in the Maps app) at the bottom of the screen can be swiped to navigate through those red dot search results. If one of those results tickles your fancy, the Info Sheet can be pulled up from the bottom and you get more detailed reviews of the destination, including photos and more review highlights from Google+ and Zagat.
A curated list of nearby locations can be found using the Explore feature. You'll see eating, drinking, shopping and entertainment options near your current location. Reviews from Zagat and from Google+ users provide enough intel for you to judge whether a place is worthy of your hard-earned cash.
And all of this finally works natively on the iPad. No more upscaling the iPhone app and dealing with blurry text and maps. Like the Android tablet version, the app expands the Maps app experience, adding UI elements that make sense on the larger screen. For example, Info Sheets are displayed over the map instead of covering the entire UI. It's taken far too long, but it's nice to have a real Google Maps experience on the iPad.
Google's desire is to create true parity across its mobile Maps platform, and the iOS version of the app contains almost all the same features of the Android version. The one exception is that dynamic map rerouting isn't available yet on iOS. But, Google UX lead of mobile maps Darren Delaye said that rerouting will be coming to iOS "soon." That's the only bad news, but cyclists should be happy that iOS is finally getting biking directions. Now you can figure out the best route to the bicycle shop to get lights put on your bike for night riding.
At Google I/O back in May, the company announced an opt-in invitation to the beta of Google Maps for the desktop browser. The new Maps browser app displays results directly on the map itself, and clicking on a result brings up the an Info Sheet similar to what's available in the mobile apps. So don't be too surprised if one day all these apps (mobile and desktop) become nearly indistinguishable from one another.
Of course, Google releasing Maps on its own mobile OS before pushing it onto Apple's is a no-brainer. But, because the Maps app is being rolled out over the next few weeks to Android devices running 4.0.2 and later, iOS users might actually get the app before their Android-owning friends. Awkward!
Roberto is a Wired Staff Writer for Gadget Lab covering cord-cutting, e-readers, home technology, and all the gadgets that fit in your backpack. Got a tip? Send him an email at: roberto_baldwin [at] wired.com.
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