I re-submitted EasyRoute to the App Store.
As I mentioned previously, I self-rejected EasyRoute so I could integrate the Google Maps SDK for iOS.
This was not just so it could feature a Google map instead of an Apple map — whatever opinions may be about Apple’s maps had nothing to do with the decision. Apple’s map was more than adequate for EasyRoute’s purpose.
The problem was with using Google’s data with Apple’s maps.
When I first began development, EasyRoute was using the system-provided map, so when Apple switched away from Google, it meant EasyRoute switched away from Google. Shortly after the switch, I discovered section 10.1.1 (g) of the Google Maps/Google Earth APIs Terms of Service:
(g) No Use of Content without a Google Map. You must not use or display the
Content without a corresponding Google map, unless you are explicitly permitted
to do so in the Maps APIs Documentation, or through written permission from
Google. In any event, you must not use or display the Content on or in
conjunction with a non-Google map. For example, you must not use geocodes
obtained through the Service in conjunction with a non-Google map. As another
example, you must not display Street View imagery alongside a non-Google map,
but you may display Street View imagery without a corresponding Google map
because the Maps APIs Documentation explicitly permits you to do so.
So, this meant I could no longer use Google’s data in EasyRoute. I checked with the other major map providers out there and they all had a similar clause in their Terms of Service. I spent some time researching alternatives and even considered scrapping the project.
Then, I discovered MapQuest Open which is powered by OpenStreetMap and is very permissive about use of its data. I finished work on 1.0 sporting an Apple map and OpenStreetMap data. Problem solved?
Not really… the problem was I really missed the Google data for a variety of reasons. When Google started handing out keys for its iOS SDK, I signed up for one…and waited. I knew if I got a key before I released EasyRoute, I would take the extra time to bring back Google. So, I got my key in the nick of time.
I think it was worth the wait. Along the way, I discovered how to best utilize data from Apple, Google and MapQuest/OpenStreetMap, so now EasyRoute provides the best of all worlds.
