Many continue to look forward to the release of Google’s stand-alone Google [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Maps [COLOR=blue !important]application[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] for iOS, since Apple’s iOS 6 Maps have been causing issues for a number of users. So far, Nokia has announced that their 'Here' maps will be coming to iOS in a few weeks, but Google has yet to give anyone an estimated time of arrival for their Google Maps application.

A report from the Wall Street Journal may finally shed some light on the progress of such an application. According to the report, Google has distributed test versions of the Google Maps application to select [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]iOS [COLOR=blue !important]users[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] to preview:

Originally Posted by Wall Street Journal
Google has distributed a test version of its new mapping app that will work on Apple's iPhones to some individuals outside the company, said a person with direct knowledge of the matter. Google has been putting the finishing touches on the app before submitting it for approval to the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Apple[/COLOR][/COLOR] iTunes store, this person said, though it's unclear exactly when that will happen.



The report also informs us that the application will have support for turn-by-turn navigation, which Apple just brought to their own Maps application in iOS 6. It may be using a voice similar to the voice used in Google Now from Google's new Google Search application.

The fact that the application has now escalated to the stages of beta distribution means that progress is happening. Just last month, screenshots were leaked showing what was supposedly the Google Maps application in its alpha stages.

The hard part, of course, may be getting Apple to approve the application in the [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]App [COLOR=blue !important]Store[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR] when it’s submitted. Tons of users have been pushing for the application since iOS 6 was released and a great number would be highly disappointed to see an application like this turned down from the App Store.

If you’re looking forward to the Google Maps application joining the arsenal of Google’s [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]App [COLOR=blue !important]Store [/COLOR][COLOR=blue !important]apps[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], hopefully you shouldn’t have to wait too much longer.