Since Apple released iOS 6, they’ve received nothing but flack for their new in-house Maps app. Almost immediately rumors began to swirl that perhaps Google would release a version of their own Maps—which was recently removed from Apple’s mobile OS—for iOS 6, with some sites suggesting that the app was already submitted and was awaiting Apple’s approval.
Eric Schmidt, Google’s “Executive” Chairman, who happens to be in Tokyo (living the life) was asked by reporters about whether we’d see Google Maps for iOS, to which Schmidt replied, “[we've] not done anything yet” for iOS 6 when it comes to Google Maps. While this may not be the answer some iPhone users were looking for, Schmidt doesn’t say that Google Maps “won’t” be on iOS 6, just that they haven’t done anything yet.
To be clear, we’ve heard this type of statements before, when companies flat out deny something only to contradict themselves weeks or months later, simply so they can try to keep a secret. Even Schmidt alludes to that concept when he says that it’s “Apple’s choice” as to whether or not Google Maps shows up on iOS 6. Leading some credit to the idea that the Google had already submitted Maps to Apple, but that Apple is holding up the app’s approval as they want their own Maps app to be fixed first, so as not to have their own maps abandoned, making their attempt a waste of time.
Whatever the case may be, it doesn’t look like we’re going to get a straight answer, at least as of right now.
Source: CNET