> The speculation by many is that Google didn't allow Apple to have certain features.
Or that Google would have required Apple to make unacceptable concessions in order to get access to newer features. My personal guess (no strong basis, just a gut feeling) is that Google would have required Apple to include location-based ads in the updated Maps, as well as integrating with other Google location-based services (e.g, Latitude), even where that conflicted with Apple services (e.g, Find My Friends [1]).
I remember reading that Google wanted more Google branding. The way Apple wanted to go was make it an Apple product supported by Google. Google wanted it to be a Google product integrated into Apple. Apple wasn't having it and took this route.
Or that Google would have required Apple to make unacceptable concessions in order to get access to newer features. My personal guess (no strong basis, just a gut feeling) is that Google would have required Apple to include location-based ads in the updated Maps, as well as integrating with other Google location-based services (e.g, Latitude), even where that conflicted with Apple services (e.g, Find My Friends [1]).
[1]: https://www.apple.com/icloud/features/find-my-friends.html