Google's Maps application for iOS has returned after being ousted in September for Apple's much-maligned home-grown offering.
Google Maps was the former standard mapping application in Apple's mobile products before it was booted off this year at the release of the iPhone 5 and Apple's latest mobile operating system, iOS 6, in favour of an Apple-built application based on TomTom navigation data.
Apple's decision earned a wave of criticism after users complained in droves about glaring geographical errors and a lack of features popular in Google Maps.
Apple CEO Tim Cook was forced to apologise for the faulty product. Apple's iOS chief Scott Forstall was made to resign after reportedly refusing to say sorry for the fiasco.
In Australia, Apple's Maps app forced Victorian Police to warn motorists against using the software after two people searching for the city of Mildura got lost in the wilderness.
Google Maps is available through iTunes for free download now. It offers functions such as search, turn-by-turn navigation, directions, street view and imagery. Its public transport feature is not available in Australia.
"People around the world have been asking for Google Maps on iPhone. Starting today, we’re pleased to announce that Google Maps is here," Google said in a statement.
"It’s designed from the ground up to combine the comprehensiveness and accuracy of Google Maps with an interface that makes finding what you’re looking for faster and easier. "
-1.jpg&w=100&c=1&s=0)
.png&w=100&c=1&s=0)
