Gee, that press release sounds an awfully lot like what sensible people were saying for several days now.
But then the sane person would know that 1. Apple main revenue is from hardware not ads, 2. Bad news about Apple always got blown out of proportion, and 3. Apple never be quick to clarify anything. The sane person would likely just sit watching the circus and wait.
I seem to recall with the iPhone 4 (or maybe an earlier version) either Apple touting how much faster the phone can find your location or reviewers noting it. It sounds like it’s a direct result of their crowd sourcing DB.
I have GPSDrive HD-a great app. It not only aquires my location in seconds, which is something my car GPS device owning friends can't say about their units, but I can also activate it when driving down the highway, which is something theirs can't do at all.
I assume it's because of this database. If so, then it's too bad it is being shortened, as it's a very useful thing to have.
At least this didn't need a press conference. I'm glad they came clean about it.
Of course, this opens a door to the flood of articles claiming that Apple's lying about this. Like the one already up on Gizmodo.
Just as there's a handful of members here who do the conspiracy theory dance with Google's response to StreetView questions. I guess what goes around. . .
But there's no controlling what people choose to believe. Sites like Gizmodo, Engadget, even here on occasion, know the clicks kick up when they play to the crowd. The lunatic fringe won't ever go away.
Apple is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years.
looks like apple is planning on either replacing google maps with their own system.
At the very least, replacing the traffic info from google maps with their own data, but that seems unlikely.
Apple has not given a specific and credible explanation of how information the user has permitted to be stored by one application is protected from use by all other applications (and hackers). Apple has not provided a specific and credible explanation of how the user may gain access to specific items of information permitted to be stored.
I have GPSDrive HD-a great app. It not only aquires my location in seconds, which is something my car GPS device owning friends can't say about their units, but I can also activate it when driving down the highway, which is something theirs can't do at all.
I assume it's because of this database. If so, then it's too bad it is being shortened, as it's a very useful thing to have.
I have TomTom and it connects quickly. Love that app! Does your car GPS have access to A-GPS connectivity or have to rely soley on GPS data?
I’ll try to do some tests to see if there is any difference between TomTom and Maps, which I assume does use this crowd sourcing DB.
Quote:
Originally Posted by desarc
this is what i care about:
Apple is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years.
looks like apple is planning on either replacing google maps with their own system.
At the very least, replacing the traffic info from google maps with their own data, but that seems unlikely.
That’s the first thing I thought of but came to the conclusion this doesn’t really fix those issues. You need a mapping software for Maps and access to traffic info for traffic. They can subscribe to the traffic info and they already bought a company for mapping. I think this is solely to get an idea where their devices are being used.
Just as there's a handful of members here who do the conspiracy theory dance with Google's response to StreetView questions. I guess what goes around. . .
Google has a history of taking people privacy for shit. Only Google fanboy would deny that.
I have TomTom and it connects quickly. Love that app! Does your car GPS have access to A-GPS connectivity or have to rely soley on GPS data?
I’ll try to do some tests to see if there is any difference between TomTom and Maps, which I assume does use this crowd sourcing DB.
FWIW, you might also take a look at Navigon's nav app, a more full-featured offering at a lower price.
The biggest difference you'll note comparing Google and TomTom Traffic reporting is that Google will appear to offer greater coverage, with even most higher volume local highways showing traffic flow.
TomTom's current US "HDTraffic" solution is pretty good, but unlike the European version it was named after, does not use flow data from cellphone users. That gives Google many times the probe sources that TomTom currently offers. That does not necessary equate with better accuracy tho. There's a lot more to building an effective traffic service than having a few million probes. In the big metros TomTom's traffic reports are probably reasonably accurate 70-80% of the time, perhaps more depending on your city. Not as good outside the cities.
So Apple admits that storing the data for so long and transferring it to itunes is a bug, and also that storing the data with location services turned off is a bug with a fix coming soon. No data was transferred to Apple with any personal info attached. As I tell my 14-year-old, it take more guts and shows more character to say that you were wrong about something than to continue to deny it,
Actually it probably wasn't a bug per se but they are using that term because it placates folks that don't get the actual non-issue. Rather like the whole giving folks a bumper anyway since they were convinced there is a problem with their phone and that is the fix.
The only legit "bug" part of the issue is the amount of data and that is only in the sense that that file can get unnecessarily huge.
That was neat and clear. I can't think of anyone to continue filing lawsuits after that simple and easy to grasp statement. Well done Apple.
Unfortunately no. People sue Apple because they approved an app that might include something that is a patent violation expecting Apple to vet every detail of every app.
People sue Apple cause they don't watch their kiddies on the iphone and Junior buys $1000 in virtual jujubees or whatever.
People will continue to sue Apple saying that they are giving out a line of bull and were collecting our data and stopped and pretended like they never were, etc
Quote:
Originally Posted by lilgto64
So this is not a log of where your phone has been - i liked the idea that I could use it as a record of where the device has been - but unless the official statement is inaccurate - it means that the database is not where MY device has been but rather where ANY device has been within a relevant geographical distance from where I am.
You ever use Genius on iTunes. It's basically the same thing. The outliers that you see are because a few folks that have been in your area a lot have been wherever.
As for the not encrypted, Apple was allowing 3rd party apps to use that database for location, thinks like Tom-Tom which means it had to be unencrypted because that encryption is likely part of the non allowed private APIs etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by solipsism
I seem to recall with the iPhone 4 (or maybe an earlier version) either Apple touting how much faster the phone can find your location or reviewers noting it. It sounds like it?s a direct result of their crowd sourcing DB.
As webfrasse stated, you just go to www.apple.com. They have a predictive search in the upper left corner. the page for their press releases is simply www.apple.com/pr. There isn?t a site is easier to traverse.
Comments
At least this didn't need a press conference. I'm glad they came clean about it.
Of course, this opens a door to the flood of articles claiming that Apple's lying about this. Like the one already up on Gizmodo.
How long before some crackpot wants a subpoena of Apple?s crowd sourcing DB to verify it?s not tracking user or device info?
Gee, that press release sounds an awfully lot like what sensible people were saying for several days now.
But then the sane person would know that 1. Apple main revenue is from hardware not ads, 2. Bad news about Apple always got blown out of proportion, and 3. Apple never be quick to clarify anything. The sane person would likely just sit watching the circus and wait.
I seem to recall with the iPhone 4 (or maybe an earlier version) either Apple touting how much faster the phone can find your location or reviewers noting it. It sounds like it’s a direct result of their crowd sourcing DB.
I have GPSDrive HD-a great app. It not only aquires my location in seconds, which is something my car GPS device owning friends can't say about their units, but I can also activate it when driving down the highway, which is something theirs can't do at all.
I assume it's because of this database. If so, then it's too bad it is being shortened, as it's a very useful thing to have.
At least this didn't need a press conference. I'm glad they came clean about it.
Of course, this opens a door to the flood of articles claiming that Apple's lying about this. Like the one already up on Gizmodo.
Just as there's a handful of members here who do the conspiracy theory dance with Google's response to StreetView questions. I guess what goes around. . .
But there's no controlling what people choose to believe. Sites like Gizmodo, Engadget, even here on occasion, know the clicks kick up when they play to the crowd. The lunatic fringe won't ever go away.
Apple is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years.
looks like apple is planning on either replacing google maps with their own system.
At the very least, replacing the traffic info from google maps with their own data, but that seems unlikely.
I have GPSDrive HD-a great app. It not only aquires my location in seconds, which is something my car GPS device owning friends can't say about their units, but I can also activate it when driving down the highway, which is something theirs can't do at all.
I assume it's because of this database. If so, then it's too bad it is being shortened, as it's a very useful thing to have.
I have TomTom and it connects quickly. Love that app! Does your car GPS have access to A-GPS connectivity or have to rely soley on GPS data?
I’ll try to do some tests to see if there is any difference between TomTom and Maps, which I assume does use this crowd sourcing DB.
this is what i care about:
Apple is now collecting anonymous traffic data to build a crowd-sourced traffic database with the goal of providing iPhone users an improved traffic service in the next couple of years.
looks like apple is planning on either replacing google maps with their own system.
At the very least, replacing the traffic info from google maps with their own data, but that seems unlikely.
That’s the first thing I thought of but came to the conclusion this doesn’t really fix those issues. You need a mapping software for Maps and access to traffic info for traffic. They can subscribe to the traffic info and they already bought a company for mapping. I think this is solely to get an idea where their devices are being used.
edit: Maybe the first thought is the correct one.
Just as there's a handful of members here who do the conspiracy theory dance with Google's response to StreetView questions. I guess what goes around. . .
Google has a history of taking people privacy for shit. Only Google fanboy would deny that.
Link to Apple website?
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011...cation_qa.html
I have TomTom and it connects quickly. Love that app! Does your car GPS have access to A-GPS connectivity or have to rely soley on GPS data?
I’ll try to do some tests to see if there is any difference between TomTom and Maps, which I assume does use this crowd sourcing DB.
FWIW, you might also take a look at Navigon's nav app, a more full-featured offering at a lower price.
The biggest difference you'll note comparing Google and TomTom Traffic reporting is that Google will appear to offer greater coverage, with even most higher volume local highways showing traffic flow.
TomTom's current US "HDTraffic" solution is pretty good, but unlike the European version it was named after, does not use flow data from cellphone users. That gives Google many times the probe sources that TomTom currently offers. That does not necessary equate with better accuracy tho. There's a lot more to building an effective traffic service than having a few million probes. In the big metros TomTom's traffic reports are probably reasonably accurate 70-80% of the time, perhaps more depending on your city. Not as good outside the cities.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2011...cation_qa.html
Thank you!
Thank you!
I know, right?
Google has a history of taking people privacy for shit. Only Google fanboy would deny that.
I didn't originally think of you when I mentioned a "handful of members"
So Apple admits that storing the data for so long and transferring it to itunes is a bug, and also that storing the data with location services turned off is a bug with a fix coming soon. No data was transferred to Apple with any personal info attached. As I tell my 14-year-old, it take more guts and shows more character to say that you were wrong about something than to continue to deny it,
Actually it probably wasn't a bug per se but they are using that term because it placates folks that don't get the actual non-issue. Rather like the whole giving folks a bumper anyway since they were convinced there is a problem with their phone and that is the fix.
The only legit "bug" part of the issue is the amount of data and that is only in the sense that that file can get unnecessarily huge.
Link to Apple website?
Here it is: apple.com (you will find the press release under....press releases....duh)
FWIW, you might also take a look at Navigon's nav app, a more full-featured offering at a lower price.
Thanks, but I also own TomTom. I haven?t opted for in-app traffic data. It?s not something I experience often, for which I?m very happy.
That was neat and clear. I can't think of anyone to continue filing lawsuits after that simple and easy to grasp statement. Well done Apple.
Unfortunately no. People sue Apple because they approved an app that might include something that is a patent violation expecting Apple to vet every detail of every app.
People sue Apple cause they don't watch their kiddies on the iphone and Junior buys $1000 in virtual jujubees or whatever.
People will continue to sue Apple saying that they are giving out a line of bull and were collecting our data and stopped and pretended like they never were, etc
So this is not a log of where your phone has been - i liked the idea that I could use it as a record of where the device has been - but unless the official statement is inaccurate - it means that the database is not where MY device has been but rather where ANY device has been within a relevant geographical distance from where I am.
You ever use Genius on iTunes. It's basically the same thing. The outliers that you see are because a few folks that have been in your area a lot have been wherever.
As for the not encrypted, Apple was allowing 3rd party apps to use that database for location, thinks like Tom-Tom which means it had to be unencrypted because that encryption is likely part of the non allowed private APIs etc.
I seem to recall with the iPhone 4 (or maybe an earlier version) either Apple touting how much faster the phone can find your location or reviewers noting it. It sounds like it?s a direct result of their crowd sourcing DB.
Yep. Very likely so.
I know, right?
As webfrasse stated, you just go to www.apple.com. They have a predictive search in the upper left corner. the page for their press releases is simply www.apple.com/pr. There isn?t a site is easier to traverse.
I didn't originally think of you when I mentioned a "handful of members"
I know. Never discussed the "Google Streetview". Just speaking in general.