The new Google Maps for iPhone and iPad has reached its destination

17 Jul 2013

The brand new Google Maps for iPhone and iPad devices has arrived, including new enhanced search and navigation features.

The new iOS app comes with an optimised tablet design for the iPad which includes a larger-screen Street View designed to make interacting with content – such as tours of the Colosseum – engaging and fun.

The app also comes with enhanced navigation features, including live incident reports, road closures, construction, accidents and more.

As well as voice turn-by-turn navigation, Google Maps also comes with schedule information for more than 1m public transit stops around the world.

Biking enthusiasts are in for a treat with guided voice and turn-by-turn navigation for more than 531,084 kilometres (330,000 miles) of trails, paths and bike lanes.

A new feature called Explore presents on cards new places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep, without the need to type a single letter.

The app also comes with a new 5.0 star rating system that shows users their friends’ reviews and ratings of restaurants, bars and cafes. As well as Zagat ratings, Google Maps will present offers from brands like Michaels and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse.

The updated iOS app comes hot on the heels of the updated version of the Google Maps app for Android last week.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com