Apple-Google Maps Talks Crashed Over Voice-Guided Directions

TheReason Apple-Google Maps Talks Crashed?
An Apple iPhone 5 map application, utilising the new iO6 software, shows two sets of the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and claimed by Beijing under the name Diaoyu, in Hong Kong on September 22, 2012. Apple's new iPhone 5 may have been criticised for its glitch-ridden new maps program, but it may have inadvertently provided a diplomatic solution to China and Japan's ongoing row over disputed islands. When a user searches for the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, claimed by Beijing under the name Diaoyu, two sets of the islands appear alongside each other. AFP PHOTO / Dale de la Rey (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/GettyImages)
An Apple iPhone 5 map application, utilising the new iO6 software, shows two sets of the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku islands in Japan and claimed by Beijing under the name Diaoyu, in Hong Kong on September 22, 2012. Apple's new iPhone 5 may have been criticised for its glitch-ridden new maps program, but it may have inadvertently provided a diplomatic solution to China and Japan's ongoing row over disputed islands. When a user searches for the Tokyo-controlled Senkaku islands in the East China Sea, claimed by Beijing under the name Diaoyu, two sets of the islands appear alongside each other. AFP PHOTO / Dale de la Rey (Photo credit should read DALE de la REY/AFP/GettyImages)

Google Chairman Eric Schmidt says Apple should have continued to use Google’s mapping application in iOS 6 instead of swapping it out for its poorly received home-brewed replacement, and given the sour reception Apple’s Maps app has been given, he may have been right.

But multiple sources familiar with Apple’s thinking say the company felt it had no choice but to replace Google Maps with its own, because of a disagreement over a key feature: Voice-guided turn-by-turn driving directions.

Before You Go

Apple Maps horror stories: itd be fun to do a post with people's Apple Maps horror stories. Let's put this "ask" in any Maps posts: What do you think of Apple Maps? Has it made you late or gotten you lost? Do you have horror stories to share? Or rave reviews? Let us know: email us at technology@huffingtonpost.com or tweet @HuffPostTech.

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