[AndyScouchek]

Yeah, that story (or the NYT one it mentioned) doesn't quote any reliable, identifiable, sources; where as the one I posted quotes Google's big cheese.

Saying: "We have not done anything yet,"

Hardly telling of any future plans, like releasing it before the end of the year.

Yes of course, Google have a lot of reasons for wanting to have a maps app on the most popular mobile ecosystem out there but my bet is that Apple will block it for as long as they can.

With the very poor reception of their native Maps App, we will just have to see. Apple will keep their app as the default one that is called from web pages, emails, etc. but I don't see any reason for them to block it.