google maps

The long-awaited debut of Google Maps for the iPhone was welcomed with open arms by iOS users. In a matter of hours, Google’s (GOOG) mapping application became the No.1 free app in the App Store and had Apple (AAPL) executives “seething” over its success. Jeff Huber, Google’s senior vice president of commerce and local, revealed just how well the app has done. The executive announced on his Google+ page on Monday that Google Maps for iOS was downloaded more than 10 million times in less than 48 hours after its release. “We’re excited for the positive reception of Google Maps for iPhone around the world,” Huber said. “Congratulations to the Maps Team on the recognition for the passion and hard work they poured into it, for this release and over the last 7+ years.”

Ever since Apple (AAPL) replaced Google (GOOG) with its own mapping service in iOS earlier this year, the Internet giant has been rumored to be preparing a dedicated Maps application for the iPhone and iPad. While Google’s former CEO and current chairman Eric Schmidt confirmed in September that the company had not prepared a maps application for iOS 6, recent reports suggested that an iOS-specific app was on its way, although employees believed Apple would bar it from its App Store. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google has reportedly distributed a test version of its new mapping app for iPhones and iPads to testers outside of the company and is putting the “finishing touches” on the app before submitting it to the App Store. A Google spokesperson responded to the report with a vague statement confirming that the company’s goal is “to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system.”