Now You Can Download Google Maps for iOS in Malaysia App Store
Since Google Maps app for iOS released in December 2012, Malaysians have been waiting for the maps app in Malaysia App Store to replace the lousy Apple Maps on their iPhone and iPad.
Wait no more! Google Maps for iOS is now available for free download at Malaysia App Store!
When Google Maps for Android updated with new design and turn-by-turn navigation in Malaysia, Google Malaysia said iOS version is coming “as soon as we[Google] get App Store approvalâ€. A week later, Google Maps for iOS appears in Malaysia App Store!
What’s new in version 2.0
The following is what’s new in Google Maps for iOS version 2.0:
- New design for iPad
- Enhanced navigation including live traffic updates and incident reports
- Explore: a new way to browse and discover popular local places to eat, drink, shop, play and sleep
- Simple 5-star ratings and reviews from friends, plus expert Zagat content
- Great deals from your favourite brands with Google Offers
- Indoor maps with walking directions for shopping centres, public transport stations, airports and more.
What’s missing
However, I see some missing features in Malaysia’s Google Maps 2.0. It does not have cycling direction, local reviews (Explore), and Street View. Public Transport direction has no data but showing walking time instead.
In short, Google Maps for iOS in Malaysia is only good for location search and getting direction. Anyway, thanks to the Google Maps data, the location search is fast and accurate. Driving direction gives you alternative routes and estimated travel time, too.
Google Maps for iOS is now No.1 free app on Malaysia App Store. The average rating is 4.5 out of 5 based on 145 ratings. That’s very positive! The top keyword in the app review is – “Finally!â€
Some users comment that Google Maps app is a bit lagging on iPad. I can not test it because iPad 1 is not supported. Google Maps 2.0 requires iOS 6.0 or later. Meaning, only support iPhone 3GS or later, iPad 2 or later, and iPad mini.
Google Maps or Waze?
Waze was an alternative to Google Maps navigation when the latter is not available in local App Store. Now that Waze and Google Maps are both available, which one would you use for your navigation?
Personally, I would use Google Maps to search for venue locations and checking the nearby public transports because the map data is more complete.
Waze is good for live traffic report while you are driving. Waze uses crowdsourcing map data, it really depends on the number of Waze users in an area. Some areas have complete map, but some are incompletely mapped.
How do you use Google Maps for mobile? Share with us in the comment below.
Download Google Maps for iOS [iTunes]
