Via The New York Times Bits blog:
One reason that it will take Google some time to build the iPhone app: it expected the app with Google’s maps to remain on the iPhone for some time, based on the contract between the two companies, and was caught off guard when Apple decided to build a new application to replace the old one.
Ditching Google Maps earlier than expected was the smartest move Apple could make. Now the vast majority of users will spend the next few months using Apple’s maps before Google can counter on iOS.
Apple’s Maps app isn’t perfect, but it isn’t the horror it has been made out to be. It needs to get better outside of major cities, and needs to add public transit routes as soon as possible. Perhaps Apple could speed up the latter by buying a company that specializes in public transit apps.
