Google relaunches map service in China, intros iPhone map app - report

Nieuws Mobiel China 16 JAN 2018
Google relaunches map service in China, intros iPhone map app - report
Google plans to relaunch its map service in China after an absence of eight years on the local market, Nikkei reports. According to the same source, Google has developed a China-specific version of the Google Maps website, and has launched a map app for Chinese iPhone users. When users of the app attempt to use its navigation features, they are automatically transferred to an app from AutoNavi, a mapping services provider owned by Chinese internet company Alibaba, which provides the directions.

Google’s map service has been unavailable in China since the company stopped providing its services in the Asian country in 2010 after refusing to continue self-censoring its search results.

"There have been no changes to Google Maps in China", said Taj Meadows, head of Google's policy communications in the Asia Pacific. "Google Maps have been accessible on desktop for years, but do not have an official presence in Android or iOS app stores in China," he added. 

Categories:

Mobiel,  Internet

Companies:

Google,  Alibaba

Countries:

China

Tags:

IT - applications, Location Based Services, Government policy

Related Articles

CHINA 29 OCT 2020

China to censor mobile web browsers to fight dissemination of false information

China's top cyber authority, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), has announced plans to start a "rectification" of Chinese mobile internet browsers to address social concerns over the "chaos" of information being published online, Reuters reports. According to CAC, firms operating mobile browsers have until 9 November to conduct a "self examination" and rectify problems. These problems include spreading of rumors, the use of sensationalist headlines and publishing content that infringes the core v

CHINA 2 AUG 2018

Google plans return to Chinese search market - report

Google is testing a mobile version of its search engine that would adhere to China's strict controls over content, reports The Intercept. Google teams have created a custom Android app, which has already been demonstrated to the Chinese government. The finalized version could be launched in the next six to nine months, pending approval from Chinese officials, the report said. 

CHINA 18 JUN 2018

Google to invest USD 550 million in China's JD.com

Google announced it will invest USD 550 million in Chinese e-commerce company JD.com. Google and JD.com say this investment is part of a broader partnership that will include the promotion of JD.com products on Google's shopping service. 

ISRAËL 30 MAR 2018

Google Maps launches Hebrew version

Google has announced that it is launching Google Maps in 39 more languages, including Hebrew, reports Globes. It is now fully available on both mobile apps and web browsers, it added. To date, the service had been supported in Hebrew within Israel by displaying the names of locations on maps in Hebrew, but now, the entire service is available in Hebrew including major locations worldwide.

SAOEDI-ARABIË 2 FEB 2018

Google focuses on Saudi Arabia in plan to expand online Arabic content

The team will be based in the company's regional headquarters in Dubai and will assess business opportunities in the kingdom over the coming months and devise a package of initiatives to be implemented over the next three years and beyond. The new programme is in line with the kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification efforts. The Saudi Arabia 2020 National Transformation Plan from 2016 aims to increase the number of internet users in the kingdom to 85 percent from 63.7 percent.

INDONESIË 29 JAN 2018

Google confirms investment in Indonesia startup Go-Jek

Google has confirmed it has made an investment in Indonesian ride-hailing start-up Go-Jek. No financial details related to the investment have been released. Go-Jek currently provides a ride-hailing app for motorcycle taxis. The startup operates mainly in Indonesia, and is also developing a food delivery business. Go-Jek also has a mobile payment business dubbed 'Go-Pay'.

CHINA 5 JAN 2018

Google invests in Chinese mobile game live streaming platform Chushou

Chushou, a mobile game live streaming platform from China, closed its latest round of financing with the addition of Google as investor, TechCrunch reported. Total funding so far has passed USD 120 million. Other investors include Qiming Venture, Shunwei Capital and Alpha X Capital. Chushou did not disclose the size of the Series D, but last year's round brought in USD 58 million. 

CHINA 8 MAY 2017

China to strengthen internet censorship - report

China will strengthen its internet regulations, increasing controls over search engines and online news portals, Reuters reports. Under a 5-year cultural development and reform plan released by the party and State Council, or Cabinet, the government aims at "perfecting" laws and rules related to the internet. The new measures include a qualification system for people working in online news, according to the plan, Xinhua news agency reports.

CHINA 10 JAN 2017

China not to license AR games amid security risks - report

Nintendo's smartphone game Pokemon Go and other augmented reality games are unlikely to be launched in China, after local authorities have announced they would not license them until potential security risks had been evaluated, Reuters reports. China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television is coordinating with other government departments to evaluate the games' risks.

CHINA 23 NOV 2016

Facebook developing censorship software for China - report

Facebook is quietly developing a sort of "censorship" software for China, the New York Times reported. The software would stop certain posts from appearing in people's news feeds in specific geographic areas, according to anonymous sources among current and former employees. The feature was created to help Facebook get into China, a market where the social network has been blocked, these people said. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has supported and defended the effort, the sources added.

CHINA 7 NOV 2016

China adopts cybersecurity law

China has adopted a cybersecurity law. China says the new law will counter growing threats such as hacking and terrorism, Reuters reports. This cybersecurity law, passed by China's parliament, will come into effect in June 2017.

CHINA 28 JUN 2016

China tightens regulations for mobile app developers

China has tightened regulations for mobile app developers. Rules now require real-name registration and preserving users' activity logs, Reuters reports, citing internet regulator Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC). The watchdog says mobile app providers would need to comply with 6 requirements to help reduce "unscrupulous" use of their platforms to carry out fraud, distribute pornography and spread malicious rumors. "A small number of apps have been exploited by criminal types to spread violence and

CHINA 19 MAR 2015

Yahoo to close Beijing research centre, lay off employees

Yahoo is closing its research and development centre in Beijing as part of its drive to consolidate some jobs into fewer offices, the South China Morning Post reported. The centre employs around 350 people, mostly engineers and scientists. Layoffs will begin at the end of the month, sources said. A Yahoo spokesperson confirmed the move, saying employees in Beijng have been informed. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company will lay off 200-300 employees. Sources say the decision to close the Beijin

CHINA 7 AUG 2014

KakaoTalk, Line blocked in China on security concerns

Chinese authorities said they have blocked messaging apps KakaoTalk and Line as part of efforts to fight terrorism, South Korea said, the first official explanation of service disruptions in China that began a month ago. South Korea's Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said China had confirmed it had blocked "some foreign messaging applications through which terrorism-related information" was circulating, Reuters reports. It named the other blocked apps as Didi, Talk Box and Vower. The Korean mini

CHINA 10 JUL 2014

Chinese internet users regain access to Google's services

Internet users in China were able to access Google's online services on 10 July, after more than a month of severe disruptions in the service, Reuters reports. The disruptions almost blocked users from using Google's search, maps and e-mail services. China-based anti-censorship group GreatFire.org also reported that Google services appeared to be accessible within China. Other online services which are also experiencing services disruption in China are South Korean mobile messaging apps Line and KakaoTalk.

Just In

19 DEC 16:42

SLT-Mobitel launches 5G network in Sri Lanka

19 DEC 16:19

Dialog Axiata launches 5G network, connects 1.5 million subscribers

19 DEC 15:56

UK govt to ban AI-enabled nudification apps to protect women, girls

19 DEC 15:42

3 UK launches last-minute Christmas sale

Commentary

13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

15:26

Stock markets breaking records but what happened to Odido's IPO plans?

Background

01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation

01:39

The week in telecom: Netflix wins bidding for Warner Bros, Apple poaches new execs, Samsung debuts trifold

13:51

Proximus vs. Telenet: Proximus performs better in Q3 while Telenet uses up cash

14:16

Proximus Domestic still struggling with low margins

Complete profile

Before downloading the whitepaper, we would like to ask you to complete your profile with company and position. After confirming you will receive the white paper.