Screenshot of Google Maps. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

The New York Times' Bits blog reported Wednesday people involved with the effort confirmed the development was in the works. 

From Bits:

One reason that it will take Google some time to build the iPhone app: it expected the app with Google’s maps to remain on the iPhone for some time, based on the contract between the two companies, and was caught off guard when Apple decided to build a new application to replace the old one.

Apple's own mapping service has been heavily criticized, though the tech giant said it will improve over time.

Read the full story here, and more of Neon Tommy's Apple coverage here.

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