Apple officially released iOS 6 to the masses yesterday, and as we noted at the time, one of the biggest changes in the update was the new Maps app that swaps Google Maps for Apple's own mapping service. The new Apple Maps app isn't exactly going over well with many users, causing them to plead for Google to release its own iOS Maps app like it did recently with its own iOS YouTube app. Google hasn't officially said anything about such an app, but several reports today claim that such an app is indeed in the works.

According to sources speaking to The Guardian, while Google is enjoying the negative press that Apple is getting over this situation, the search company is indeed working on its own Maps app for iOS. That claim was backed up by iOS developer Steve Troughton-Smith. Following that, both 9to5Mac and TechCrunch chimed in with their own reports, saying that there is an iOS Google Maps app in the pipeline. TechCrunch also claims that Google hopes to have its Maps app in the App Store before Christmas rolls around.

The final bit of iOS 6 Apple Maps news today comes from AllThingsD, which received a statement on the app from Apple itself. The company says that it's "excited to offer this service" and that it's "just getting started with it." Apple also promises that its Maps app will get better as more and more people use it. AllThingsD claims that Apple's Maps team is currently "under lockdown" while trying to improve the app that's built into iOS 6.

While it's unclear exactly when a Google-made Maps app might hit the iOS App Store, all of the claims that such an app is being worked on is sure to please the many folks that are unhappy with Apple's own mapping solution. Unfortunately for them, it's not clear exactly when Apple might approve such an app, so for now it look like iOS 6 users will either have to get used to using Apple's Maps app or download one of the alternative options from the App Store. Once we hear more about this purported Google Maps iOS app, we'll be sure to pass along the information. How many of you have already updated to iOS 6? What do you think of the Maps app so far?

Via MacRumors, The Guardian, ‏@stroughtonsmith, 9to5Mac, TechCrunch, AllThingsD