Starting with iPad, Apple began using its own Maps location databases
Starting with iOS 3.2 for the iPad in April, Apple began relying on its own databases for location-based services, in addition to utilizing Google's map data for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
As first noted by TechCrunch, Apple revealed the change earlier this month in a letter to two U.S. congressmen, who inquired with the Cupertino, Calif., company about its privacy policy for the iOS mobile operating system. On page 5 of that 13-page letter, Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell revealed that beginning with iOS 3.2 on the iPad in April, his company began to integrate its own database solutions.
"For devices running iPhone OS versions 1.1.3 to 3.1, Apple relied on (and still relies on) databases maintained by Google and Skyhook Wireless ("Skyhook") to provide location-based services," Sewell wrote. "Beginning with the iPhone OS version 3.2 released in April 2010, Apple relies on its own databases to provide location-based services and for diagnostic purposes."
However, the default Maps application within iOS still reads "Google" in the lower left corner, showing that Apple continues to on the search giant for the maps themselves. In addition, all iOS devices still rely on Google's Street View feature as well.
But the change in iOS 3.2 means that Apple now controls its own location services, through GPS tracking, and could signal that Apple plans to rely solely on its own technology in the future.
Such a move wouldn't be completely unexpected, as Apple has made a number of key acquisitions related to mapping. Last year, it acquired Google Maps competitor Placebase, and this month it purchased Poly9, a Canadian company that creates interactive 3D maps.
Some have speculated that the acquisitions of Placebase and Poly9, along with the growing rivalry with search giant Google, is a sign that Apple plans to create its own mapping software for use on mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad.
Further evidence that Apple could pursue its own comprehensive mapping database came last November, when a company job listing sought to hire someone to help take the iPhone's Maps application "to the next level." It said that the company intended to "rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We've only just started."
As first noted by TechCrunch, Apple revealed the change earlier this month in a letter to two U.S. congressmen, who inquired with the Cupertino, Calif., company about its privacy policy for the iOS mobile operating system. On page 5 of that 13-page letter, Apple General Counsel Bruce Sewell revealed that beginning with iOS 3.2 on the iPad in April, his company began to integrate its own database solutions.
"For devices running iPhone OS versions 1.1.3 to 3.1, Apple relied on (and still relies on) databases maintained by Google and Skyhook Wireless ("Skyhook") to provide location-based services," Sewell wrote. "Beginning with the iPhone OS version 3.2 released in April 2010, Apple relies on its own databases to provide location-based services and for diagnostic purposes."
However, the default Maps application within iOS still reads "Google" in the lower left corner, showing that Apple continues to on the search giant for the maps themselves. In addition, all iOS devices still rely on Google's Street View feature as well.
But the change in iOS 3.2 means that Apple now controls its own location services, through GPS tracking, and could signal that Apple plans to rely solely on its own technology in the future.
Such a move wouldn't be completely unexpected, as Apple has made a number of key acquisitions related to mapping. Last year, it acquired Google Maps competitor Placebase, and this month it purchased Poly9, a Canadian company that creates interactive 3D maps.
Some have speculated that the acquisitions of Placebase and Poly9, along with the growing rivalry with search giant Google, is a sign that Apple plans to create its own mapping software for use on mobile devices like the iPhone and iPad.
Further evidence that Apple could pursue its own comprehensive mapping database came last November, when a company job listing sought to hire someone to help take the iPhone's Maps application "to the next level." It said that the company intended to "rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We've only just started."
Comments
I think you are confusing the mapping data (i.e., the maps with the street names, etc.) with the location data (i.e., position without GPS, using WiFi and cell tower triangulation). The latter is what SkyHook does.
I think Apple is still using Google maps for its mapping DB, but is no longer using SkyHook for its non-GPS positioning system.
Google's (in)ability to safely retain and protect its users' data is disenchanting at best, alarming and borderline illegal at worst.
You are completely right, although, I think missing the most important incentive angle.
The most important thing to remember about Google, as opposed to MS or Apple, is what their product actually is.
Apple's product is an integrated Hardware/Software experience. MS's product is easy to integrate operating software for hardware makers.
Google's product is eyeballs, i.e., the users. IOW, the way they improve their product (and hence bottomline, esp. when the market reaches its peak) is by providing more customer information to advertisers.
With the iPhone, the iPhone is Apple's product. With Android, the user is Google's product.
If it is, I think they are off to a reasonable start. I don't think the iPhoto map is quite as good as Google Maps (I've found myself doing a search on Google Maps to exactly pinpoint somewhere, then cross-referencing to the Apple one), but it looks good and is reasonably useable.
This article seems off.
I think you are confusing the mapping data (i.e., the maps with the street names, etc.) with the location data (i.e., position without GPS, using WiFi and cell tower triangulation). The latter is what SkyHook does.
I think Apple is still using Google maps for its mapping DB, but is no longer using SkyHook for its non-GPS positioning system.
I agree with you. They are talking about location services and not the maps used to display your location...
Google's (in)ability to safely retain and protect its users' data is disenchanting at best, alarming and borderline illegal at worst.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._contacts.html
You are completely right, although, I think missing the most important incentive angle.
The most important thing to remember about Google, as opposed to MS or Apple, is what their product actually is.
Apple's product is an integrated Hardware/Software experience. MS's product is easy to integrate operating software for hardware makers.
Google's product is eyeballs, i.e., the users. IOW, the way they improve their product (and hence bottomline, esp. when the market reaches its peak) is by providing more customer information to advertisers.
With the iPhone, the iPhone is Apple's product. With Android, the user is Google's product.
Seeing it spelled out like that, makes it even more troubling. Once this smartphone market gets saturated and there are (theoretically) no more people to pull into it, does that mean Google will share more of each person's information until there is nothing left to keep secret? I would say "don't sign me up", but what alternative is there? All search companies do it, it seems.
I agree with you. They are talking about location services and not the maps used to display your location...
Apple also owns mapping technology, and they are speculating that, in the future, they will also replace Google Maps with their own technology, which is very likely.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles..._contacts.html
I'm not sure what you were trying to say, but looking at the numbers, yes, more apps have access to my information on my iPhone, but that is not what troubles me. What troubles me is the ability and willingness to keep that information anonymous and private, which Google seems to not even be concerned about doing.
Seeing it spelled out like that, makes it even more troubling. Once this smartphone market gets saturated and there are (theoretically) no more people to pull into it, does that mean Google will share more of each person's information until there is nothing left to keep secret? I would say "don't sign me up", but what alternative is there? All search companies do it, it seems.
The alternative is to outlaw these activities that undermine the fabric of our society. Without privacy, there is no freedom, and, without freedom, there is no privacy.
Apple also owns mapping technology, and they are speculating that, in the future, they will also replace Google Maps with their own technology, which is very likely.
I wouldn't like the loss of street view.
As first noted by TechCrunch, Apple revealed the change earlier this month in a letter to two U.S. congressmen, who inquired with the Cupertino, Calif., company about its privacy policy for the iOS mobile operating system.
Actually, TechCrunch was not the first to note this; we wrote about it nine days ago: http://arst.ch/lpd
I wouldn't like the loss of street view.
My thought exactly. Base mapping and satellite photos are relatively easy to replace, but the street view data that Google has amassed is almost impossible to replicate. Add to that, Apple already has far better integration of street view into the Map app on the iPad than Google does at maps.google.com.
Further evidence that Apple could pursue its own comprehensive mapping database came last November, when a company job listing sought to hire someone to help take the iPhone's Maps application "to the next level." It said that the company intended to "rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We've only just started."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
This may be related to the more recent "revolutionary" job posting being discussed in the last few days. Perhaps this killer new feature IS an augmented reality thingy. Although that would be a better fit for iOS than OSX.
I suppose that's one less data leek.
I assume you meant leak (verb) instead of leek (noun) since I have never heard of a giant green onion-like tuber passing on information.
(Intended to be humorous - not anal!)
This may be related to the more recent "revolutionary" job posting being discussed in the last few days. Perhaps this killer new feature IS an augmented reality thingy. Although that would be a better fit for iOS than OSX.
I doubt that there is a connection between this and the job posting. I do not however doubt that Apple is probably working on an operating system (or mods to OS X) using 3D since this has been heavily explored in the past (see Taligent's Pink OS) by Apple and partners (IBM, et al).
The metaphor is a good extension to existing flat desktop with menu that hide away.
I would actually be surprised if later versions of iOS and OS X (or it's follow on) did not have some sort of augmented reality along with judicious use of virtual 3D interface.
Same question as asked previously: how do we register a base station location with Apple? This is a place where their emphasis on simplicity and limited options hurts me.
This explains why the iOS 4 upgrade screwed up my geolocation at home
There's a long thread in the Apple forums about Location Service being wacky since the iOS4 fiasco. Maybe this is the reason why. Since Apple obviously never left the labs to test the OS on 3Gs, they probably didn't test whether Locations could be found either.