After a five year relationship, Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500) had ditched Google’s mapping data in favor of its own in September. The results were less than spectacular.
Three months, an apology from Apple’s CEO and an ousted high-ranking executive later, Google Maps made a triumphant return Wednesday night, and it is now available for download on the iTunes App Store.
The app features turn-by-turn navigation, live traffic information, and public transportation directions — all of which were missing or problematic on Apple’s new maps app. Google took the opportunity to call attention to its superior mapping data.
“At the heart of this app is our constantly improving map of the world that includes detailed information for more than 80 million businesses and points of interest,” said Daniel Graf, director of Google Maps for mobile in a company blog post. “If you see something off, simply shake your phone to send us feedback.”
Google’s new app is actually the first maps application that the search giant has made for the iPhone. The company had previously provided the backend data for the iPhone app, but Apple had designed and controlled the actual software, which was preloaded onto its devices.