Google Releases iOS Maps and 2 Hot Stocks Trading Today

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) releases its native Maps app for iOS (NASDAQ:AAPL) just in time to show itself off on all the shiny new iPhones to be bought this holiday season and let existing users, who gave up on Apple’s inbuilt Maps, heave a sigh of relief. Techcrunch is all positive about this offering from Google, saying it runs as smooth as a video game and is a radical overhaul over any previous Google maps experience. Menus come up with a swipe and information is displayed in excellent detail immediately on booting up the app. An excellent UI (the map itself is the UI), voice guided, turn-by-turn directions and transit directions for public transportation and walking are other plus points. Google has also included a spanking new SDK for developers to integrate it with their own apps. The only gripes: no biking directions, off-line mode, indoor maps or offers.

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A Form 8K filed by Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR) notifies Sprint Nextel Corporation’s (NYSE:S) intention to acquire all the shares of Clearwire that it does not already own. The non-binding proposal by Sprint was submitted on December 12 and offers $2.1 billion for the 48% of the company that it did not own at $2.90 per share. The offer, if successful, would provide Sprint complete ownership of Clearwire’s valuable wireless spectrum resource. Sprint’s offer is under consideration of the special committee of Clearwire’s board.

Walmart Inc (NYSE:WMT) is said to be negotiating to acquire a controlling interest in Migros, Turkey’s largest retailer, from private equity group BC Partners, which holds 80% of its capital. The deal would value Migros at over $4 billion including debt. Migros is listed in Istanbul and runs 888 stores across Turkey. French supermarket group Carrefour and UK retail chain Tesco may also be interested in Migros, say sources.

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