Google Maps for iOS Receives First Update Since Launch with Google Contacts Integration, Local Business Search

Google today updated its Google Maps for iOS to version 1.1, marking the first update since the company launched its standalone app in mid-December after Apple replaced Google with its own default mapping app in iOS 6.

The new update brings a few enhancements to Google Maps, including integration with Google Contacts addresses and easier searching of local businesses by category.

What's New in Version 1.1

- Search your Google Contacts; sign in to have your saved addresses show up when you search for friends and family by name.
- Quickly search for local places by selecting popular categories such as restaurants, bars, cafes, gas stations, etc.
- Choose between Kilometers or Miles for your preferred distance units.
- Note that some features may not be available in all countries.

google_maps_businesses_contacts
Google Maps is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

(Thanks, Arthur!)

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Top Rated Comments

gmanist1000 Avatar
158 months ago
Search your Google Contacts... not the contacts stored on my phone? Ugh. I guess I should transfer them all over to Google Contacts then...
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Small White Car Avatar
158 months ago
I have Google Maps but it has definitely been put into 2nd place for me. I use it when Apple Maps can't find something (which is still a problem, yes). But when Apple's Maps find what I want I vastly prefer the actual software itself to Google's.


Since I don't think I've ever seen Apple update a built in app through a App store update, this is an advantage for Google. It seems that Apple has to update the entire OS in order to do a maps upgrade. People are more willing to just update a app than they are their entire OS. Even though Apple does have very high adoption rates of its new OS releases.
While I do agree with you in general, it should be pointed out that Apple's recently been putting out OS updates like they're going out of style. So perhaps this isn't as big of a problem as we both thought.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iGrip Avatar
158 months ago
Thanks, Google!

The entire Apple community should come together to thank Google for this.

A different sort of company would do everything they could to kill the iPhone. But instead, Google helps out the entire Apple community by releasing great new software for Apple's platform.

Hey - do you see Nokia writing great software that makes iOS and iPhones more valuable? How about RIM?

But Google has always been there for Apple. They were the ones that made the iPhone a great mapping tool in the first place. And now they continue on.

Thanks, Google!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ilp Avatar
158 months ago
Still no search in local contacts.

Still no remembering of my recent searches. This one completely baffles me. I stopped using Google Maps because of this. Why do I have to re-enter an address I just entered 5 minutes ago? Ridiculous.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mjmar Avatar
158 months ago
iPad version plz
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
silvetti Avatar
158 months ago
The entire Apple community should come together to thank Google for this.

A different sort of company would do everything they could to kill the iPhone. But instead, Google helps out the entire Apple community by releasing great new software for Apple's platform.

Hey - do you see Nokia writing great software that makes iOS and iPhones more valuable? How about RIM?

But Google has always been there for Apple. They were the ones that made the iPhone a great mapping tool in the first place. And now they continue on.

Thanks, Google!

Thank google ?

Do you have any ideia how many millions or billions... Google makes of metrics from people that use their software on iPhones/iPads ?

Google is not doing anyone a favor... it's business...
You should stop thinking either company makes favors to others...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)