The recent reports claim that Apple will drop Google Maps in iOS6 and use cleaner, faster and more reliable in-house apps instead. If we take a retrospective look at Apple’s history, the company has started working on improving its mapping software since it bought Placeware in 2009. This purchase was followed by an Poly9 acquisition, the company that specializes in 3D mapping solutions. Moreover, Apple has also purchased C3 - also providing 3D mapping technology in 2011 and absorbed the principals of the company.
The multiple “previously trusted” sources cite that Apple’s purchases of Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9 obviously hint that the Cupertino-based company is set to create its own complete mapping database and no longer contribute to creating additional source of income for its head-to-head competitor- Google.
Additionally, the new feature is said to also sport a non-standard 3D mode, meaning that users will need to select and click on a button to enable it. The report reads: “3D mode is said to essentially be technology straight from C3 Technologies: beautiful, realistic graphics based on de-classified missile target algorithms.”
With the previous experience, when Apple bought Siri in 2010 and add voice-recognition functionality to iOS powering its iPhone 4S, the rumors seem to be quite relevant. All we’ve left to do is to keep tracing the updates and not miss the World Wide Developers Conference held in mid-June this year, when Apple is believed to unveil its iOS 6 we all long for so much.
