Google hopes to release Google Maps iOS app 'before Christmas' - report

Apart from the iPhone 5 release, there is only one other news that has been grabbing headlines in the last 24 hours - poor maps experience on iOS 6. It is no secret that Apple's attempt to ditch Google and release its own maps has fallen flat (at least for now).

Now, all eyes are on Google, whether the search giant will release a Google Maps app for iOS similar to what it did with YouTube. Well, Techcrunch sources seem to suggest just that and there is a timeline as well. According to a report on Techcrunch, Google is hoping to release the iOS version for Google Maps before Christmas. It goes on to suggest that company has already allocated extra staff to work on the app.

A separate report from 9to5Mac claims that Google might have already submitted the iOS version to approval in Apple App Store, but it seems less credible and has already been contradicted by known Apple pundit Jim Dalrymple.

Google is yet to official state anything on the iOS version of Maps, but it did give an ambiguous statement to Techcrunch.

"We believe Google Maps are the most comprehensive, accurate and easy-to-use maps in the world. Our goal is to make Google Maps available to everyone who wants to use it, regardless of device, browser, or operating system."

On the other hand, Apple is urging consumers to have patience. In a statement given to AllThingsD, it stated:

"Customers around the world are upgrading to iOS 6 with over 200 new features including Apple Maps, our first map service," spokeswoman Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. "We are excited to offer this service with innovative new features like Flyover and Siri integration, and free turn by turn navigation. We launched this new map service knowing that it is a major initiative and we are just getting started with it. We are continuously improving it, and as Maps is a cloud-based solution, the more people use it, the better it will get. We're also working with developers to integrate some of the amazing transit apps in the App Store into iOS Maps. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better."

Why it is necessary for Google to build Maps app for iOS?
Well, it is necessary because it makes business sense. Some might argue that given the advantage here, Google can pitch Android as the platform with better maps and navigation and advertise that fact to the fullest to garner additional Android mobile sales given the upcoming holiday season.

That might give Android a few users, but will deprive Google of the millions of users that not only help it improve the maps but also help bring in additional advertising revenue. To give an idea of the mammoth Google Maps user base on iOS, According to comScore (April 2012 data), there are over 31 million monthly Google Maps iOS users in US alone.

Google simple can't ignore this number. So, Google Maps for iOS will come. When, is the only question.