Neil HughesAs 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."
Wesley Hilliard
Marko Zivkovic
AppleInsider Staff
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Amber Neely
37 Comments
Sounds good to me. It's going to take a while, but the less reliance on Google, the better. And not just because they are the main competitor right now (although that plays a part), but because 1) it is never good to have core services dictated and controlled by someone else, and 2) Google's (in)ability to safely retain and protect its users' data is disenchanting at best, alarming and borderline illegal at worst.
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.
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.
You think the map they are using on iOS might be the same as they have in iPhoto for locating where your pictures were taken?
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...