iOS, News/Rumors May 14, 2012

Apple breaks the terms with Goole Maps in iOS 6 providing Maps App

Apart from expected features like Siri API, Facebook Integration, advanced Multitasking, Clearing Notifications, Apple is rumored to be planning an exclusive in-house map app. Google Maps software that is running on iOS since 2007 will no longer be of service for Apple because a brand new Maps app featuring an Apple background will rock the market.

Although the existing iOS maps have had a great success, the backend still belongs to Google and Apple wishes to change that. This will be possible thanks to Apple purchase of Placebase (2009), Poly9 (the Canadian online mapping firm purchased in 2010) and C3 Technologies (company dealing with advanced 3D maps that use technology created for missile guidance systems, purchased quite recently). When the iOS 5 was launched, the two big companies, namely Apple and Google had extended their Map convention so the launch of iOS 6 may break the terms between the two.

Image created with C3 Technology's algorithms

As for the icon, it’s rumored to be a redesigned version of iOS Maps logo, a different color scheme with a picture of One Infinite Loop. Possessing 3 years of purchased mapping startups, it is a clear sign that the Apple Company didn’t want to hurry things and take all the needed time for improving details. The 3D feature would be powered by C3 Technologies that would replace Google’s satellite view and Maps Street View.

9to5 Mac describes the features of C3 Technologies:

C3 Technologies is the leading provider of 3D mapping solutions, offering photo-realistic models of the world for search, navigation and geographic information systems. Since 2007 when it was spun out of the aerospace and defence company Saab AB, venture-backed C3 has redefined mapping by applying previously classified image processing technology to the development of 3D maps as a platform for new social and commercial applications.