Google Moving Closer to Submitting Maps App for iOS as Eddy Cue Works to Improve Apple's Maps

The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is continuing to make progress on a standalone mapping application for iOS, working toward submitting the app for inclusion in the App Store after Apple switched from Google to its own in-house Maps app in iOS 6.

Google has distributed a test version of its new mapping app that will work on Apple's iPhones and iPads 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 Apple iTunes store, this person said, though it is unclear exactly when that will happen.

Unlike Google's Maps app that was included with iOS 5 and earlier, the upcoming version will indeed include free turn-by-turn navigation as has been available on Google Maps for Android and which Apple provides in its Maps app. 

The report also notes that Apple is continuing to work hard on improving its Maps app, with Eddy Cue taking a very hands-on approach with regular team meetings since he took charge of Maps and Siri late last month. 

Google's Maps app for iOS has been spotted in alpha testing, but some Google employees are reportedly pessimistic about its chances for acceptance in the App Store. But given the plethora of existing mapping apps and Apple's promotion of the web version of Google Maps as alternative to Apple's maps while it works to improve its own service, there may be little reason for Apple to reject Google's submission.

First Pre-Orders of LTE iPad Mini and Fourth-Generation iPad Models Arriving in U.S.

In line with tracking information, a number of U.S. customers who pre-ordered LTE models of the iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad have either already received their shipments this morning or are seeing their packages out for delivery. 

 
Verizon iPad mini delivered (Thanks, Joshua)
Our forums are beginning to fill with reports of iPad minis being delivered, while we're also starting to see reports of fourth-generation iPads arriving. 

Apple has yet to announce when it will begin selling the LTE iPad mini and iPad models in stores, although stocks of at least the full-size iPad models have reportedly arrived at the company's stores and we had previously heard that AT&T was planning to begin selling the devices this Friday, November 16.

New iMac Deliveries to Be Delayed Until Early Next Year?

Apple may not begin shipping the new iMac until early 2013, according to the French siteMacBidouille [Google Translate]. When the new lighter, thinner iMac was introduced three weeks ago, Apple said the 21.5" model would ship by the end of November, with the 27" model shipping by year-end.

Apple Sells Out of Meager iPhone 5 Launch Stocks in India

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has sold through its initial stocks of the iPhone 5 in India following the device's launch there on Friday, but the company was said to have delivered only 10,000-15,000 units for the first wave of sales.

“We were sold out within 24 hours of launch. It’s all gone,” said Himanshu Chakrawarti, chief executive of The MobileStore Ltd., a retailer that stocks iPhones and which has 900 outlets across India. Apple Inc.’s latest iPhone officially launched in India on Friday, more than a month after it hit major markets elsewhere.

Analysts are expecting Apple to deliver roughly 100,000 iPhone 5 units to India in the first month of availability, jumping to 200,000 by the end of the year. 

While those shipment numbers pale in comparison to those seen other populous countries, they do represent a substantial jump over the 50,000 units sent to India in the June quarter, a boost due not only to the introduction of the new hardware but also improved distribution. 

Shipping Estimates for New iPhone 5 Orders Begin to Improve

For the first time, shipping estimates for new orders of the iPhone 5 placed through Apple's online store have improved, suggesting that Apple and Foxconn may now be getting a handle on production issues and making progress toward meeting demand for the popular device. 

Shipping estimates which had been at 3-4 weeks since just a few days after pre-orders went live nearly two months ago, have now improved to 2-3 weeks. The new shipping estimates appear to be in effect for most of Apple's online stores around the world where the iPhone 5 is sold online. 


In comparison, the iPhone 4S took roughly three months to begin coming down from its peak of 1-2 week shipping estimates, reaching supply-demand balance approximately three and a half months after the device launched. But with the iPhone 5 experiencing lengthier shipping estimates and Apple aggressively rolling out the device to over 100 countries by the end of the year, shortages may yet persist for some time.

Apple Releases MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Update 2.0

Apple has released a 127.07 MB update for all the Mac notebooks introduced in June 2012 -- the new MacBook Air models, as well as the spec-bumped MacBook Pro, and the MacBook Pro 15" with Retina display.

Apple is nonspecific about the exact issues the update fixes, but mentions graphics performance and compatibility with USB devices:

About MacBook Air and MacBook Pro Update 2.0

This update includes graphics performance and reliability enhancements and improves compatibility with some USB devices.

This update is recommended for all Mac notebooks introduced in June 2012.

The update is available via Apple's support website or the Mac App Store.

Installing the update also changes the build number of OS X 10.8.2 from 12C60 to 12C3006.

Apple Releases Safari 6.0.2 for Mac

Apple today released a new version of Safari for Mac, bringing the browser up to version 6.0.2. The update is available through the Mac App Store or Software Update. However, full update notes are not yet available. 

Safari 6.0.2 

Safari 6.0.2 is recommended for all users running OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.2 and includes security updates. For more information, please visit:http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222