3D maps coming to the iPhone
Apple’s dumping Google (and has been for some years now). Eventually some variation on that theme will occur with the most likely candidate being mapping — boy, oh boy, the iPhone needs a new Maps app. The Cupertino kids have taken another step down that road as we learned they’ve purchased yet another company for mapping technology.
Redmond Pie reports that Apple has acquired C3 Technologies and they’ve got some pretty neat stuff.
Yes, that’s just the sort of technology and supporting data Apple needs to leave Google’s Street View backend behind. In fact, C3 built their system using declassified missile guidance data, making their renderings (above) quite realistic.
Previously, Apple previously purchased Placebase in 2009 and Poly9 in 2010 — eat enough and there’s going to be some sort of output, steaming or otherwise.
Not daddy’s mapping tech
Again, iOS 5′s Google “powered” Maps app, functional though it may be, is sadly behind the times. We need hands free, turn-by-turn directions and, because it’s Apple, the app needs to deliver beautiful, best of class results.
Is this another case of taking its sweet in order “to get it right”? If yes, I’m tired of waiting (years) already and would appreciate some incremental improvement right now…
What’s your take?
Related posts:
October 31st, 2011
Nokia’s Map app is based on C3 .
November 1st, 2011
Wow 3D maps. That should be interesting to see! I know a lot of GPS companies have a similar technology in being able to use maps, but I am not sure if they use three dimensional apps. I think it would be cool if Apple were to integrate the maps app with Siri; that way you could tell Siri where you’d like to go, and she will tell you the directions! I think that would be cool.