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Welcome back, Google Maps [hands-on]

Updated Dec 18th, 2012 8:28AM EST
Google Maps iOS

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That’s right, iPhone owners — you can finally drop Apple’s (AAPL) awful iOS Maps application in the junk folder on your last app page. Google (GOOG) on Wednesday evening released its third-party Google Maps application for iOS devices including the iPhone and iPod touch running iOS 5.1 and later. And it’s glorious. It doesn’t offer deep iOS integration like Apple’s Maps app does, but it also won’t leave you stranded in the Australian outback to be ravaged by rabid dingos.

The new Google Maps app for the iPhone features a much more minimal interface than its predecessor, and it’s quite refreshing.

The app is incredibly simple: Tap the box to search; swipe up for info or street view; tap the menu button in the bottom-right corner to toggle traffic, public transit and satellite view options; and tap the car icon at the bottom of the screen after a search for directions or to begin turn-by-turn navigation.

Yes, Google’s new maps app finally includes voice-guided navigation.

We’ve included a gallery above with some screenshots so you can get a feel for the new app, but if you’re an iPhone owner, you probably shouldn’t even bother looking at them. Go to the App Store, download the app, and say goodbye to Apple’s failed (so far) Maps experiment.[bgr-post-bug]

Zach Epstein
Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 10 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.