Google and Apple have a very turbulent relationship. When the first iPhone (and the best designed, according to Cam) launched in July 2007, Android was still at the R&D department at Google. It was nearing its public release, but Apple was still in the dark about Google’s ambitions to launch a new smartphone platform. Google was one of Apple’s main partners when they first launched the iPhone. In fact, one of the biggest wow features of the iPhone was its Maps app, which was powered by Google.

However, after Android launched and matured, Google pretty much abandoned communication with Apple on the Maps app. Sure, there where a few features here and there, but development just stagnated on iOS’s Maps. Google didn’t rest on its own application and added a killer feature: turn-by-turn navigation. Something that the iPhone didn’t have out of the box. Instead of working with Google to make turn-by-turn a feature on the iPhone, Apple started gobbling up companies like Poly9, who had huge databases and different ways of viewing maps.

Apple also wants end-to-end control of the user experience, and acquiring and developing its own killer Maps app, in order to replace the original Google Maps solution.

Google doesn’t is not taking the news in stride, and today Google announced an event on June 6, that will be focused on Maps. The invitation boasts  ”The Next Direction for Google Maps”, which could mean a lot of things. However, the invitation does sport a new view of the earth that looks like what Poly9 had a few years ago. One thing is for sure, it looks like Google’s making a huge advancement in Maps. Also, if you’re interested, Google’s VP of Maps and Earth, Brian McClendon, will be giving the demonstrations.

The only thing I really want in iOS is out of the box  turn-by-turn navigation. I don’t really care if the service comes from Apple or Google, so long as it works. Do you think Google’s retaliating against Apple with their maps event? Let us know in the comments below or by sending me a tweet.

Via: 9to5Mac