Beiruting News

Less than a day after its release, Google's Maps app has become the most popular download in the iTunes store.

The long-awaited app launched in the early hours of Thursday morning, finally bringing relief to the millions of iPhone users forced to rely on Apple's own much-maligned mapping system.

The new Google application is markedly better than its last iOS application, but still not as wide-ranging as the one available to Android users - Google's not stupid, after all. It recognizes that Maps are a vital app for many users, and if it can switch them to Android then so much the better.

The early response to Google Maps is in stark contrast for the widespread despair provoked by Apple's own attempt at building a mapping system.