Apple Mobile Maps
While many people may think that Apple have released a mobile map product, this is not the case and the company instead just host the platform that many applications run on. Apple are creators of the iPhone and iPod Touch, with both of these mobile platforms being capable of running map pieces of software. Even though the iPhone has only been on the market a short amount of time in comparison with many other phones, the majority of application developers have made it a priority to target this platform and users of the device have access to many different mobile map pieces of software.
Apple Mobile Map Applications
The vast majority of mobile map applications have been designed to function with the iPhone. The following software can be classed as the most popular:
- Google Maps
- Sygic
- Map Quest
- Garmin
- Bing
Featured Application: Google Maps
To give a better idea on the maps available for Apple devices, Google Maps will be briefly explored. The application is the undisputed leader in the mobile map industry and is not just open to iPhone users but also the majority of people who have a Java enabled mobile phone. The following explains the basic features of the phone:
- The application will give users a variety of route options; if they are walking, driving or cycling.
- If the phone contains the technology, certain users can view the maps in 3D mode. Due to the iPhone’s incredible power, there is no doubt that users of this phone will benefit from this feature.
- The application provides users with business reviews, allowing them to make a decision on their destination before plotting a route.
- Even though it is in the early stages, Google are slowly providing features which will allow the application to be used as a standalone satellite navigational device.
The Apple and Google Partnership
One of the reasons why so much emphasis has been placed on Google Maps is due to Google’s partnership with Apple. While many view the two companies as bitter rivals, they have come to an agreement in relation to mobile map software with Google supplying all Apple products with their map service. This comes despite the fact that the Google Andorid platform has now established a larger user base than the iPhone.
Apple Mobile Map Summary
While Apple are seemingly entering many different markets all of the time, one industry they have not penetrated is the mobile map one. Instead, the company have stated that they will leave this to the experts and have selected Google Maps as the official service to be pre-installed on their iPhone range.
However, for those users who do not like to use the Google Maps application, there are a host of other pieces of software that are compatible with Apple products. The iPhone application market is absolutely saturated with developers at the moment and practically every mobile map service is compatible with the device. This has meant that users of the iPhone have been given a large array of options when it comes to the mobile map market.
