How to open links in Apple Maps or Google Maps?

Question

How can links on websites be made to lead to, firstly, a location in the new Google Maps for iOS app, and if not available, revert to Apple Maps?

Currently, the default functionality is that a link to maps.apple.com will be opened in Apple Maps on iOS, and Google Maps on other devices.

It'd be good to reverse that on iOS since Google Maps seem to be preferred by most users.

Answer 1

I do not think a single URL is going to be able to do that.

The Google Maps for iOS uses the comgooglemaps:// schema:

https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/ios/urlscheme

And the Apple Maps app uses http://maps.apple.com:

https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/featuredarticles/iPhoneURLScheme_Reference/MapLinks/MapLinks.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007899-CH5-SW1

I think the best you are going to be able to do is give the user the choice, or just run with Apple maps since you'll know it's there (if there user-agent is iOS 6).