Report: Google Maps for Apple iOS 6 coming

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Google is preparing a new Google Maps app that will be compatible with both Apple's iPad and the iPhone, a source told The Wall Street Journal.

Many iPhone and iPad owners -- dismayed when Apple replaced Google Maps with its own flawed Maps app when iOS 6 was released in September -- has been waiting for an iOS version of Google Maps, industry analysts say.

The map app caused so many complaints Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook was forced to issue an apology.

Many iPhone and iPad owners have resisted downloading the latest version of Apple's operating system because they didn't want to lose access to Google Maps that came pre-installed on the devices in earlier versions of iOS.

The Journal source was unable to say when Google would actually submit its new Google Maps for iOS app for approval to the iTunes store, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A feature expected in the new Google Maps version for iOS is turn-by-turn navigation, which was not included in Google Maps that came pre-installed on previous generations of iPhones and iPads.