Google Maps Poised to Return to the iPhone

You can't keep a good app down. In September, Apple dumped Google's famed maps from its latest mobile operating system, iOS 6—earning more than a few jeers in the process. But Google is bouncing back and is putting the finishing touches on a new map app it has built for Apple devices, reports the Wall Street Journal. The app is said to include turn-by-turn navigation, one of the company's most popular features and one that wasn't included in the previous app, which was created by Apple using Google's data.

Ironically, Apple's decision to boot Google maps from iOS 6—along with Google's YouTube app—could end up padding Google's bottom line. Now that Google's map and YouTube services aren't being controlled by Apple, the company will have a lot more leeway to include advertising and other money-makers. (More Apple stories.)