Report: Google Maps for iOS is queued up for release tonight

Possibly launching on the App Store within a few hours, iPhone 5 users will finally be able to use a Google Maps app instead of Apple's mapping software.

According to a report from All Things SD, Google will launch a Google Maps application on the Apple App Store tonight. Representatives for the two companies have declined to comment on the pending release. According to a report that was originally published by the Wall Street Journal during mid-November, the application has been in the final testing phase and the app has been distributed to people outside of Google’s headquarters for further testing. The launch of a Google Maps application means iPhone 5 users will finally have an alternative to Apple’s mapping software. 

According to Apple, the company shifted away from Google Maps after Google decided against including turn-by-turn directions and voice navigation with Apple’s version of the software. Alternatively, Google does include those features within the Android version of the application.

It’s possible that Google will end up including those features within the iOS application in order to compete more effectively against Apple’s internal mapping software. However, Google representatives haven’t confirmed those features will be available in the standalone version of the iOS application. 

The launch of Apple’s mapping software has only been problematic for the company. Recently, Australian police have warned residents and visitors not to use the application since travelers have been getting stranded by faulty directions. Prior to that report, CEO Tim Cook issued an apology for the launch of iOS Maps and the manager in charge of the project has been fired from his position at Apple. 

However, the launch of Google Maps for iOS does require the approval of Apple. In addition, iPhone users will have to manually install the application as well as launch the application when searching for directions. Alternatively, Apple’s mapping software is already installed on all mobile devices running iOS 6. In addition, the default mapping application is directly tied into many popular applications. For instance, a Yelp user can click “Open Maps App” in the Yelp application in order to bring up driving directions to a local business and Apple’s mapping software will automatically launch. 

EDIT: Google Maps is now live on the App Store: LINK  The updated version of Google Maps includes turn-by-turn voice directions as well as overlays for traffic problems, public transit routes and satellite imagery.

When a user searches for a specific business within the application, the user can scroll up at the bottom of the screen to view store hours, the address of the business, pictures related to the business, a link to the business website and menus for restaurants. Users can continue to scroll down the page to view reviews of the business. Google has also include quick buttons for calling the business, saving the location or sharing the location with friends. 

In addition, if users log in with their Google accounts, they will be able to pull up their search history for places on Google Maps. The Google Maps application will store previously searched locations within the application interface. Users can also switch between driving, public transit or walking directions as well.

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Report: Microsoft’s next Xbox due out by Thanksgiving 2013

A new Bloomberg report claims that Microsoft's next game console will hit shelves in time for the Black Friday 2013 rush but it's still unclear if Microsoft will release its high tech Xbox 720 or the budget priced Xbox TV.

The holiday season is typically reserved by video game companies to tout big sales numbers and roll out major sequels. 2012’s been no different. Nintendo proclaimed this week that it sold 400,000 Wii Us during the week of Black Friday, Sony boasted 525,000 PlayStation 3s sold, and Microsoft reported 750,000 Xbox 360s sold, particularly impressive since the Xbox is celebrating its seventh birthday this November. This is not the Xbox 360’s season, though, as each day a new rumor about the console’s successor circles the Internet. The latest is that the next Xbox, sometimes called Xbox 720 and sometimes Durango, will definitely arrive in time for Christmas 2013.

Bloomberg reported on Friday morning that its sources, who naturally asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that Microsoft is planning to release the next Xbox almost exactly one year after the Wii U, to capitalize on Black Friday and Christmas 2013 sales. The source also said that Microsoft has yet to decide whether it will debut the next Xbox at a trade show like E3 2013 or the Consumer Electronics Show or if it will hold an independent event.

Microsoft famously debuted the Xbox 360 in a television special back in 2005, showing off “target” demos of games like Madden NFL 2006 that didn’t look anything like the games that shipped alongside the console later that year. Since then Microsoft hasn’t shied away from bringing new products to trade events. Kinect debuted as the codenamed “Project Natal” at E3 2009 before re-emerging one year later with its proper name.

Just what Microsoft will announce for release in 2013 is up in the air as there are two successors to the Xbox 360 rumored as of now. The first is an expensive, powerful new gaming machine codenamed Durango that will ship under the simple name Xbox. This console will play Blu-ray discs and run graphically intensive games similar to those seen in tech demos like Star Wars 1313.

That machine will sell alongside a cheaper device called the Xbox TV, a Windows 8-powered set top box that focuses heavily on entertainment apps like Netflix and Microsoft’s own rumored television service as well as video games. There are even suggestions that the Xbox TV will retain the game playing technology in the Xbox 360.

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New report says Apple iMac computers still on target for 2012 launch

Despite last week's report indicating production problems could delay the launch of Apple's new iMac computers until 2013, it seems the machines are still on target for a 2012 release, and may already be arriving at distribution centers around the world.

Concern amongst those waiting for Apple’s new iMac computers escalated last week, after a French blog reported the release had been delayed, possibly until 2013. While it was impossible to judge the validity of the report’s sources, talk of a delay regarding a new Apple product was hardly a surprise, given the problems it has seen with the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini so far this year.

However, 9to5mac.com has refuted the site’s claims, saying its own sources tell them the 21.5-inch iMac is already arriving at distribution centers in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world; indicating the planned November release will go ahead after all.

As for the 27-inch iMac, Apple gave it a tentative December release date, which is not only likely to be met, but perhaps even improved upon, with the massive computers becoming available to order around the same time as the 21-5-inch iMac.

Apple’s new iMac’s are considerably slimmer than older models, and some high-tech manufacturing processes have been used to fit all the computer hardware inside. The trouble Apple has had manufacturing the iPhone, which has been described by Foxconn as the most difficult device it has ever assembled, only made the rumored iMac delay seem more likely.

So, while a delay in their launch may have been averted, the iMac computers could still be a rarity in stores and online. Apple CEO Tim Cook warned there would be a “significant shortage” of the company’s range-topping desktop machines during the first three months after launch, so it’ll be wise to get an order in early if you’re desperate. You know, just like every other recent Apple release.

The only good thing is there’s unlikely to be a huge run on the $1300-plus computers during the Christmas shopping season, as eager buyers rush to claim the last remaining iPad Mini tablets and new iPod music players instead.

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Report - Nokia Lumia 900 no longer selling in the top 3 on AT&T

The Lumia 900 Windows Phone has dropped out of the top three selling mobile devices on AT&T, according to data collected by Canaccord Genuity. The Nokia flagship smartphone has enjoyed a number of months in the top three positions for best-selling devices (we covered Amazon's list), but due to weakening sales it has since fallen prey to competition. 

Michael Walkley, analyst at Canaccord Genuity, had the following to say on the Lumia 900 absence.

"Our checks indicated weaker sales for the Nokia Lumia 900 at AT&T and ongoing minimal BlackBerry sales at all four U.S carriers."

This was to be expected, especially with Windows Phone 8 just around the corner, and Nokia easing up on the intense marketing campaigning. We're likely to see their Apollo hardware take the top spots once released, and knowing AT&T they'll only settle for the high-end Windows Phone.

With the announcements to be made tomorrow, not to mention HTC's event on September 19th, it's an exciting time for Windows Phone.

via: BGR, WMPU

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