How to get Google Maps back on your iPhone 5 or other Apple iOS6 devices

Much has been made of the fact that Apple removed Google Maps from the iOS6 release for the new iPhone 5. The new Apple Maps app does need some work.

If you want your Google Maps back, here are some simple steps to regain access. While it's the HTML5 version, I've found this is still far superior to the "not ready" Apple Maps app.

The only major shortfall, no voice "turn-by-turn" directions (which I never use anyhow).

Hope you find this helpful.

Step 1: Open the Safari Browser and do a search for "Google Maps"





Step 2: Hit the "Google Maps" link and go to the website in your Safari browser. When the site opens, you will be asked to allow the site to use your current location. Click "OK"





Step 3: A blue bubble should open up and give you the option to load an HTML5 version of "Google Maps" to your home page. Go ahead and add to your home screen.





Step 4: Exit Safari. You should find a Google Maps icon on your Apple device home screen. Click and enjoy Google Maps again on iOS6.





-- Post From My iPad

Apple iPad3: What does the invite mean?

The official announcement is out.

Apple will unveil the iPad3 at an event on March 7. Here's the invite.

There are tons of rumors swirling about what we may see in iPad3, but now we have some direct clues from Apple. They always provide a visual for their invite and in the past it has nicely provided insight on what we may expect.

Here's my speculation:

• "You really have to see":  How about confirmation that an upgraded retina display? This has been a big rumor and may be what this phrase in the invite alludes to in the next iPad iteration.
• Maps: Every element of the invite picture may be a clue. Could Apple be ready to unveil it's own version of Maps and dump Google Maps from the iOS environment. I'd put it in the mix.
• Keynote: This one has me perplexed. Could Apple be adding some new functionality to Keynote that makes it easier to display presentations from the iPad? Maybe this plays into the Retina display?
• "And touch": This is a long shot, but maybe there is an iOS update waiting in the wings that build upon the finger gesture environment Apple has built into iPad and now is extending to the Mac.

Alas, let the speculation begin.

Next Wednesday is the day we'll find out.

Are you planning to purchase an iPad3?

Why this Verizon Wireless customer will wait to buy an iPhone

The day has finally come.

Of course, it didn't hold the drama of last winter's announcement of the iPad by Apple CEO Steve Jobs--but it's still a pretty big deal.

iPhone is coming to Verizon Wireless.

My excitement level isn't nearly has high as it was for iPad and here are a few reasons why....

1.   I'm not eligible for an upgrade on my Verizon account until May. More accurately, my 15 year old son's phone will be eligible for an upgrade and I will plan on hijacking that opening to make the switch. Poor kid (heh heh).

2.  I'm really interested to see how Verizon's network performs under the demands of all those new iPhone users.  I'm assuming all of us Android phoners will be able to tell if/when all those new iPhones start dragging Verizon's network. Of course Verizon says it has this covered, but the jury is still out. It will be worth the wait.

3.  I'm actually pretty satisfied with my current smartphone. I'm carrying a Samsung Fascinate that provides a very slick user experience. I'm an Apple fan and one of the original iPod Touch and iPad adopters. I love the Apple interface, but I have to say that Google's Android platform, especially since the 2.1 upgrade delivers an experience that rival's Apple on the smartphone platform.  The app developers have become more sophisticated and the hardware (the Fascinate is an excellent phone) is pretty snazzy.

I'm set up for now with my current phone. Time to sit back, relax and watch this all unfold.

And who knows? Maybe by the time my son's phone comes eligible for an upgrade all the buzz will be about iPhone5.

That, my friends, will make it worth the wait.

Refreshing: Google Takes a Stand on Principle

Google is taking "heat from the Street" for it's decision to take on China in a battle over access to information.  Co-founder Sergey Brin is talking to the Wall Street Journal about the principled stand the company is taking in it's decision to close down operations in one of the biggest emerging markets down the road.

To shareholders, yes, Google is basically denying itself access to one of the biggest internet markets on the planet.  Expect growth forecasts to be trimmed.  Expect an impact on the bottom line.

But give Google credit. The company made a business decision linked to it's core values rather than it's return on shareholder investments.

I'm not a stock owner of Google, but if I were a shareholder, I think the company gains intrinsic value for taking a stand on principle against practices by China that hinder the free flow of information that we so greatly enjoy in the free world. 

People in China are not free. They are oppressed by a government that will take extreme measures to hide the truth and inhibit anything but allegience to the state and to Mao.

Google is a company that can afford to say no the potential growth and revenue that a market like China offers.  Say what you may about the company on other fronts. It takes guts to take this type of stand with an emerging world power leaning on one shoulder and shareholders leaning on the other.

Will Baidu, Microsoft's Bing, and other search engines move into fill the gap left by Google?  You bet.  Google knows this, but it sounds like the company is more committed to the free flow of information than it is to making a buck.

For that, I respect Google.