Google's Maps App for iOS in Near Final Testing

According to a new report, Google is testing a pre-release version of its mapping service for Apple's iOS devices. The software is already undergoing testing beyond Google employees, it is expected to contain turn-by-turn navigation, just like its Android counterpart. That very same feature was said to be one of the main sticking points in negotiations between the two companies that led to Apple creating its own mapping software.

Apple's Maps app was first publicly detailed at the company's annual developers conference in June. Besides a new look and feel, the main feature is spoken turn-by-turn directions, something the software lacked before. Apple's own software also adds a snazzy 3-D view of select cities using imagery captured from flyovers, something only users on Apple's newer devices can take advantage of. Despite the niceties, the software came under fire for the accuracy of some of its data and other shortcomings compared to the Google-powered app it replaced.