The iPhone 5 and all earlier iPhones that have been recently updated come with an Apple-powered "Maps" app. The first version released with the iPhone 5 got much bad press after users complained that bugs in the program failed to render accurate 3D images, offer efficient directions or even generate local destinations in searches. The move forced Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook to issue a public apology and assurances that the company would address these concerns in future updates to the iOS system and the app. As of May 2013, those updates to iOS 6 appear to have addressed most concerns, bringing the app to a better level of performance for some basic functions such as plotting directions, finding local destinations based on general search terms and offering detailed overhead layouts of certain areas. The app can also calculate an estimated time of arrival based on the latest traffic updates, offer turn-by-turn directions along a plotted point based on your location and work with the phone's voice-controlled assistant Siri to find the nearest destination or a specific location.
Apple used to offer a Google Maps app as a standard feature on its iPhones but pulled away from Google with the release of the iPhone 5 and iOS 6 to develop its own mapping service. Google now offers its own maps app for download through the App Store. This free app also offers a search function through the Google search engine and can plot routes and offer detailed verbal directions as you are driving. It can also plot directions if you are using mass transit or simply walking to your destination. The Version 1.1 update of the app enables you to plot locations through your Google contacts as you search for certain people or local businesses. It also offers local suggestions based on destination categories, such as "restaurants" or "gas stations."
AOL's maps service also joined the App Store with its own MapQuest app for the iPhone. This free app can plot routes along a map based on a starting and ending destination, guide you to your destination with turn-by-turn directions and search for local destinations based on search terms or categories of local establishments. The app checks for traffic updates every five minutes and can offer additional routes to your destination to avoid areas affected by traffic jams or accidents.
This free app uses community organized maps rather than providing its own map data. Waze generates maps based on information from the community and can also offer real time updates on traffic, road hazards and accidents as you organize your route and travel to your destination. It also offers GPS style directions and navigation and can automatically re-route your directions based on your current location. You can link it to your Facebook page and track the locations of your friends if they are also using the app. You can also check the prices of local gas stations in your area to find the cheapest places to fill up your car.
This free map app adds a personalization function for your traveling needs. It not only offers the same route plotting and turn-by-turn direction functions as the other apps, but it can organize your traveling information and destination searches to allow for easier access the next time you need help finding the same place from a different starting point. It organizes this personal information on a dashboard screen that includes possible commute times based on traffic updates, weather information and nearby places that fit previous searches or visits. Scout can sync your information through a Web portal in case you've grown tired of trying to type in your destination on the iPhone's tiny keyboard. It can also sync with the iPhone calendar app to remind you of upcoming appointments and automatically plot routes to those locations if you've included an address with your calendar reminder.
