Google Moves Ahead in Fight to Dominate the Map Apps - WSJ.com

"Apple has been taking lots of justified heat for its decision to replace Google Maps on the iPhone with a fledgling, and flawed, maps app of its own. In my otherwise favorable review of the new iPhone 5, I called Apple's maps app 'the biggest drawback' on the device and 'a step backward from the familiar Google app.'  This flub by its archrival has been a gift to Google, which has taken the opportunity to publicize some recent, quietly announced improvements to its already-solid maps app that runs on phones using Google's Android operating system, the iPhone's biggest competitors. These include the ability to sync mobile map searches with those made on a computer, the ability to save maps for offline use, and routing for bicyclists.  So this week, I decided to dig into Android's maps.  My verdict is that Google Maps on Android is a rich, versatile, mature, mostly reliable app that is getting better and better. It has its flaws—including some inaccuracies I encountered. However, with Apple's switch, Google's superior mapping app gives Android phones a clear advantage over the iPhone in this important function.  In fact, Google plans to announce on Thursday that it is adding its popular Street View feature, missing from Apple's maps, to the Web version of Google Maps accessed from the iPhone and iPad. I tested this addition, which displays 360-degree photographic street views of selected locations, and interior photographic views of certain businesses, using sample links Google sent me. These links worked well, allowing me to see the locations and pan around with a finger.

Also, I believe Google is working on a new Google Maps app for the Apple platform, one that would be offered as an optional download.  But the focus of this column is on Google Maps on Android, which I've used many times in the past but never examined this closely..."