Apple has been trying to distance itself from Google Maps and to offer a similar service of its own for iOS users. The company has been warming up for this for quite some time, acquiring a number of other ventures which could help it in this. And now, we are told that Apple will finally be unveiling the new feature at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference.
The conference is due to occur from June 11 to June 15 in San Francisco. From what the ‘anonymous sources’ are revealing, the feature that Apple is going to unveil is going to be true mind-blowing. For that, it has to be really, really good – and we can really expect that from Apple.
According to John Paczkowski of All Things D, the one who first revealed this, “Sources describe the new Maps app as a forthcoming tent-pole feature of iOS that will, in the words of one, ‘blow your head off’. I’m not quite sure what that means, and the source in question declined to elaborate, but it’s likely a reference to the photorealistic 3-D mapping tech Apple acquired when it purchased C3 Technologies.”
The list of other companies that Apple has acquired to help it devise a 3D mapping service of its own is quite long. First, it purchased Placebase back in 2009. Then Poly9 was bought by Apple which too happens to be a mapping company. Finally, Apple acquired C3 Technologies, a company which creates 3D mapping tools.
All of this has been pointing to the conclusion that Apple will launch a full-scale mapping service of its own some time soon. And apparently, the t time has come now. Other hints can be found in Apple’s patent. Apple has been patenting a number of mapping-related technologies. Among these is one which lets you view locations with real-time directions viewable on top of the live feed. We sure are looking forward to what Apple has to offer at the conference.
Source: All Things D
Courtesy: Apple Insider
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