Beijing Jan 16 (IANS) Denying media reports technology giant Google on Tuesday said it is not making a comeback in China -- where many of its services remain blocked since 2010 -- with its Maps.
"The company has not made any announcements or changes to Maps for China. A web version has been available in the country for years " 9to5Google quoted a Google spokesperson as saying.
Nikkei Asian Review had earlier reported that Google had launched a version of Maps optimised for China including a website as well as an iOS app for the iPhone and other Apple devices.
"While Google s flagship search function is still inaccessible in the country the renewed availability of its map service could signal a shift in the Chinese government s stance toward the U.S. tech behemoth " Nikkei Asian Review reported late on Monday.
Google is offering a translation app for Chinese smartphones since March 2017.
Last month the tech giant announced the opening of a research lab focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Beijing.
The lab will consist of a team of AI researchers in Beijing supported by the company s engineering teams.
Google s search engine and many of its services -- including YouTube -- remain blocked in mainland China.
China extensively censors Internet content in the country and the search engine giant has not been willing to abide by its laws.
--IANS
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