Maps app in Leopard?
There was a rumor last year that Leopard would feature a Maps application. Google Maps and other AJAX-y map websites were becoming really popular, and it sounded like a reasonable idea.
This particular rumor hasn't really been revisited much since then. Do you think that, in light of iPhone's Maps app (made in collaboration with Google), Leopard might feature a Maps app? Would it be pointless (since there's Google Maps and Google Earth)? What sort of spin could Apple put on it to make it stand out?
P.S. A bonus topic - the also long-rumored addition of all sorts of "smart" metadata adding to media files, e.g. recognition of scene types in photos, or moods in music files.
This particular rumor hasn't really been revisited much since then. Do you think that, in light of iPhone's Maps app (made in collaboration with Google), Leopard might feature a Maps app? Would it be pointless (since there's Google Maps and Google Earth)? What sort of spin could Apple put on it to make it stand out?
P.S. A bonus topic - the also long-rumored addition of all sorts of "smart" metadata adding to media files, e.g. recognition of scene types in photos, or moods in music files.
Comments
On Leopards main page (at least for now, will most likely change next week) in the Mail app they have an interesting map in the background:
It could be suggested that the person is a graphic designer and created the map themselves and even set up all the different alpha layers to correspond with the Notes feature in the new Mail app but, I doubt it.
My 2¢
I'm not sure that the map in that note is good proof of a Maps app in Leopard... or, if it is, I'll be amazed. That's a pretty standard map of Yosemite National Park, with camp site names and trails. This isn't even available on Google Maps or Earth.
I understand what you're saying but it's just interesting how well it blends in with Notes. This is a detail that Apple usually take care of for it's users.
If there is a Maps application in Leopard (and I think there very well might be), I'd wager it will be based on the Google Earth app, but tricked out with eye-popping CoreAnimation goodness, and with a very, very seductive and forward-looking UI.
Jobs was talking about how Apple was capable of exactly that in his interview at D5....I think it was presumed he was talking about Google Maps on the iPhone...maybe not?
I think that idea will very much translate into Apple's long-term vision for Leopard as well... as we'll no doubt see on Monday.