I wonder if Apple might one day\ deploy a fleet of autonomous drones to collect both better, more localized weather data and to provide enhanced GPS-like functionality for the Apple ecosystem. That could be cool...
I hope not. Dark Sky works with publicly available data sources, as does most weather reporting (I believe, there may be exceptions). I'm sure Apple could add value, but if it means proprietary weather data and services then I think that's a net loss for us all.
There are definitely private/proprietary weather forecasts (for example, I believe MLB buys forecasts that are specific to ballparks), but I don't know if those forecasts are proprietary because they use data that the rest of us can't access or if they claim to do a better job of processing that data.
I am definitely in favor of public investment in basic science, which includes weather data collection and analysis. However, if a private firm can add value above and beyond what the government does by collecting additional data or doing their own analysis, then I'm all for that, too.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
In fact, I think this will enhance competition -- it could encourage Google to up their game in weather, investing in a competing solution.
Dark Weather has been my weather app of choice as well. Anybody can throw together technology and data (mud)....but purposeful design stands out and is difficult to find.
Dark Weather has been trying to make a difference, and it shows.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
In fact, I think this will enhance competition -- it could encourage Google to up their game in weather, investing in a competing solution.
Buying someone else you mean?
IMHO this is a really good Apple acquisition. Dark Sky is pretty accurate down here in Florida where the weather can quickly change, tho I would note that in the past few months it has not been as on-the-minute accurate as it's traditionally been. No clue as to what would account for that.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
Somebody already said it on Daring Fireball’s tweet for this story. Nuts.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
Somebody already said it on Daring Fireball’s tweet for this story. Nuts.
No one should care. Companies do things for competitive reasons just as they always have.
Apple buys SoundJam but leaves it available to other platforms. Apple develops Apple Music and makes it available to other platforms. Apple buys DarkSky but removes it from other platforms. They have their reasons. Those other platforms now have the incentive to replace it.
Developing stuff yourself can be a lot more effort and potentially less successful than buying someone who has already figured it out. Big tech has a significant advantage in that area which is why Apple and Amazon and Alphabet and Facebook all do it. They can easily afford it, and if they miss it won't matter.
I don't follow weather apps much, so I've never heard of this app before, but I guess I'll be seeing it for myself soon perhaps if Apple implements it into their OS.
As for it being shut down for Android, do I care if an Android user now gets stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm because they have no app? No I do not. That is not my concern.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
Somebody already said it on Daring Fireball’s tweet for this story. Nuts.
No one should care. Companies do things for competitive reasons just as they always have.
Apple buys SoundJam but leaves it available to other platforms. Apple develops Apple Music and makes it available to other platforms. Apple buys DarkSky but removes it from other platforms. They have their reasons. Those other platforms now have the incentive to replace it.
Developing stuff yourself can be a lot more effort and potentially less successful than buying someone who has already figured it out. Big tech has a significant advantage in that area which is why Apple and Amazon and Alphabet and Facebook all do it. They can easily afford it, and if they miss it won't matter.
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
Somebody already said it on Daring Fireball’s tweet for this story. Nuts.
Again maybe bad assumption on my part but I assumed this will be like Maps and MapKit JS and be released at vWWDC2020 as either a Standalone WeatherKit JS or just part of MapKit and MapKitJS.
So by the time the API access runs out it'll be just a change in account and T&C.
I’m glad that so many people like this app so much. That’s good. A question: is it available and just as accurate outside the US? In Europe, fr’instance?
I'm looking forward (not really) to some naive person arguing that it's anti-competitive that the company with ~20% marketshare is keeping Dark Skies off the platform with ~80% marketshare.
In fact, I think this will enhance competition -- it could encourage Google to up their game in weather, investing in a competing solution.
Well, I will freely admit I don't understand why Apple wouldn't want to take Android users' money. I mean, I realize that Apple likely bought this to include the tech in their own app, but why leave money out there.
I’m glad that so many people like this app so much. That’s good. A question: is it available and just as accurate outside the US? In Europe, fr’instance?
US and Great Britain/Ireland only.
They‘ve cited lack of availability of comparable data for mainland Europe as the issue, and stated they were working on it for some years now, but it never came about.
I’m glad that so many people like this app so much. That’s good. A question: is it available and just as accurate outside the US? In Europe, fr’instance?
US and Great Britain/Ireland only.
They‘ve cited lack of availability of comparable data for mainland Europe as the issue, and stated they were working on it for some years now, but it never came about.
I see. Thanks for the response. Sad. Of course they could mention that in the description in the App aStore ... 😠
Comments
I am definitely in favor of public investment in basic science, which includes weather data collection and analysis. However, if a private firm can add value above and beyond what the government does by collecting additional data or doing their own analysis, then I'm all for that, too.
In fact, I think this will enhance competition -- it could encourage Google to up their game in weather, investing in a competing solution.
They handled Shortcuts well - but sadly that is an exception vs. their track record. Oh well - only time will tell.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Apple#Acquisitions
for example, NeXT, SoundJam, FingerWorks, P.A. Semi, Intrinsity, Anobit, AuthenTec, Passif, Beats, and really many, many more.
IMHO this is a really good Apple acquisition. Dark Sky is pretty accurate down here in Florida where the weather can quickly change, tho I would note that in the past few months it has not been as on-the-minute accurate as it's traditionally been. No clue as to what would account for that.
Apple buys SoundJam but leaves it available to other platforms. Apple develops Apple Music and makes it available to other platforms. Apple buys DarkSky but removes it from other platforms. They have their reasons. Those other platforms now have the incentive to replace it.
Developing stuff yourself can be a lot more effort and potentially less successful than buying someone who has already figured it out. Big tech has a significant advantage in that area which is why Apple and Amazon and Alphabet and Facebook all do it. They can easily afford it, and if they miss it won't matter.
As for it being shut down for Android, do I care if an Android user now gets stuck in the middle of a thunderstorm because they have no app? No I do not. That is not my concern.
100% agree.
Obviously, I've missed something.
If in doubt, it lets me see the precipitation radar images for my zone and pulls data from sensors in my area.
It claims it has "the world's most accurate weather service, pinpointed to any microclimate".
I'm not a big fan of the latest design changes to the App interface, though.
I had no idea that Dark Sky even existed and seeing as it wasn't very widely distributed, I shouldn't be surprised.