Enjoy henceforth new Update for Google Maps for iPhone: faster local search, new ways to finds friends.

This update available since March 5, 2013, brings amazing aspects to make finding local places faster and easier, and to make it simple to find your friends. This approach aims therefore to confirm Google goal to make Google Maps more comprehensive, accurate and useful everywhere.

The English version of the app is now progressively available in seven new countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. 

Google recommends for faster local search to tap one of the new icons for restaurants, coffee shops, bars and other types of places to quickly see nearby haunts.

Regarding Google Contacts, they are now integrated into Google Maps for iPhone. This means that when you’re signed-in and search for a friend’s name, their address will appear as a suggestion (if you have their address saved).
Note:  the features mentioned aren’t available in all countries.