Google Maps could soon be challenged by a rival you weren’t expecting

Google Maps launched almost 15 years ago and has changed dramatically during its period of availability.

Originally only on desktops, Google Maps has since launched on Android and iOS smartphones in addition to tablets.

The Mountain View firm’s navigation software is renowned for its array of functionality such as Street View that make travelling from one destination to another commendably simple.

While Google Maps is undoubtedly the world’s most popular navigation client, it seems the software could soon be challenged by Huawei.

A new report from state-run outlet China Daily has claimed Huawei is hard at work on its own mapping software it plans to debut in October.

It was stated the product is called “Map Kit” and is not intended for direct consumer use.

Instead it was claimed the software is engineered to be utilised by developers putting together applications that can harness such data.

Map Kit was said to be “connected to local mapping services” and has data for 150 countries – it will also be available in 40 languages.

Plus, it was stated the software would support augmented reality (AR), although it is unknown if this feature would work similar to a such functionality already present in Google Maps.

US firm Booking Holdings was said to be partnering with Huawei to use its mapping tech – the company owns a number of notable sites and apps such as Booking.com and OpenTable.

The report from China Daily suggested Huawei is pushing forward with its own mapping service to give it an alternative if it is unable harness Google Maps in the future.

To emphasise the importance of such software, Zhang Pingan, the president of cloud services at Huawei’s Consumer Business Group recently declared over 50 percent of smartphone apps are location-based and therefore require mapping capabilities.

Huawei recently unveiled its own operating system called Harmony OS the firm has claimed will be used as an alternative to Android if it is unable to work with Google in the future.

The operating system has already debuted in a new Honor television – the firm has said it plans to launch HarmonyOS in various Internet of Things (IoT) devices.