Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference may not be a home-ground for the next generation iPhone, but the next big operating system update for iOS devices is on the schedule. As of now, not much is known about what features does iOS 6 behold, but 9to5Mac reports that Apple is about to ditch Google Maps in its next generation mobile operating system.
Google Maps has been baked into iOS since Day 1 when the Cupertino tech giant revealed its first generation iPhone in 2007. Even that time Google CEO Eric Schmidt personally introduced Google Maps on iOS in Apple's unboxing event. It was expected that the two tech giants have settled in a long-term business relation. But spoiling the mood, the search giant launched Android smartphone that appears to be a copy of iPhone. And you know how Steve Jobs used to react when he gets angry. Apple started to cut ties with Google. Earlier this year, Apple altered Google Maps with crowd-sourced Open Street Maps in its iPhoto app.
Last year Apple picked up Sweden based 3D maps specialist C3 Technologies. Also in 2010, Apple acquired Canada based Poly9 - another 3D maps specialist and Placebag in 2000. There were also rumors last year about Apple hunting a Maps Application Developer for iOS platform. Even Apple admitted last year that anonymous user location data is being recorded to create its own traffic database.
C3 Technology was reportedly working on 3D maps when Apple acquired it in late 2011. The new in-house app will include 3D mode from C3 Technologies. Now Apple has a competitor to Google Maps. Reportedly, the new app will be referred simply as "Maps". Apple may have a competitor to Google's Street View as well. A video of Apple-acquired C3 Technology shows how realistic 3D mode could be. C3 captures street-level imaginary with multiple camera system.
C3 describes its technology as:
"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 defense 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. The Sweden-based company's automated software and advanced algorithms enable C3 to rapidly assemble extremely precise 3D models, and seamlessly integrate them with traditional 2D maps, satellite images, street level photography and user generated images, that together are forever changing how people use maps and explore the world."
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 6 at Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) which kicks off June 11 in San Francisco.
