Developers: Please use Google Maps

[opticalserenity]

Please stick to google maps in your apps. I really dislike Microsoft virtual earth, yahoo maps, etc.

Surely I'm not alone in this.

Also, apps like Whrrl, Loopt, Nearby, MyWeather, would be so much better with Google Maps.

The less I have to look at anything that says Microsoft on my APPLE iPhone the happier I am.

 

[Justinerator]

I agree. Maybe there's a reason they're not doing it... Apple is being really strict in allowing which apps to be sold, and they might have a rule stating no messing with google maps... Not exactly sure, I was just throwing that idea out there.

 

[ayasin]

I wanted to use Google maps in my app but I couldn't for licensing reasons. Basically you can't use Google maps in non web apps period based on my reading of their terms. I'm now considering providing a button for them to click and jump to the maps app but the obvious downside of that is they now have to exit Google maps and re-enter my app to continue using it. For me the map isn't essential, it's just a niceness so I managed a workaround.

 

[ayasin]

Here's the relevant link:

http://code.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=55143

Not sure how else you COULD interpret that actually lol.

 

[macduke]

Here's the relevant link:

http://code.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=55143

Not sure how else you COULD interpret that actually lol.

Well, they probably aren't just keeping you from using it for the sake of using it. Maybe the iPhone software doesn't have the right hooks to do lots of custom stuff with Google Maps. Future SDK and firmware update??

 

[opticalserenity]

Hrmm, odd. As integrated as google maps is into the platform you'd think they would have made that the map to use. Ah well. Maybe apple / google will see this thread. fwd'd.

 

[ayasin]

Well, they probably aren't just keeping you from using it for the sake of using it. Maybe the iPhone software doesn't have the right hooks to do lots of custom stuff with Google Maps. Future SDK and firmware update??

I'm not sure you understood the link. No non-web app AT ALL can use Google maps API. That means desktop apps, phone apps, whatever. Not sure about the reasons for this.

 

[Justinerator]

Apple and Google will eventually come to their senses... it's just a matter of time.

Justin

p.s. I have the feeling this thread will go on for quite a while. lol