Categories: Mobile

Apple will debut incredible in-house 3D Maps app next month

New Maps application mock-up

Apple will debut its own completely self-engineered Maps application at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) next month as it unveils the latest version of its mobile operating system, iOS6.

Currently the Maps application for iOS uses Google Maps data that sits behind an Apple-skinned interface. Now with iOS6, the Maps app will be a complete in-house built solution for the first time.

Apple’s intention to create its own mapping service has been clear for some time, having acquired three relevant companies – Placebase, C3 Technologies and Poly9 – in the last three years.

C3 Technologies street view maps

Perhaps the most exciting feature of the new Maps app will be the integration of C3 Technologies’ photorealistic 3D maps. The technology can “rapidly assemble extremely precise 3D models, and seamlessly integrate them with traditional 2D maps, satellite images, street level photography and user generated images”. Quite frankly, they look incredible.

3D maps will likely be processor-intensive so it’s possible that this capability will be reserved for Apple’s latest and most-powerful devices, like the iPhone 4S and new iPad. Hopefully they won’t make us wait until the release of the iPhone 5 in October to try the new Maps app out.

Albizu Garcia

Albizu Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gain -- a marketing technology company that automates the social media and content publishing workflow for agencies and social media managers, their clients and anyone working in teams.

View Comments

  • Android or iOS? There are so many disscusions about these two system.They have the difference as follow: iOS only designed for the iPhone and the iPad, it is a tightly controlled platform;on the other  hand, the Android is open and more diversified.http://www.netacce.com  more android information,you can visit it .

  • Android or iOS? There are so many disscusions about these two system.They have the difference as follow: iOS only designed for the iPhone and the iPad, it is a tightly controlled platform;on the other  hand, the Android is open and more diversified.http://www.netacce.com  more android information,you can visit it .

  • Apple is so powerful.iOS only designed for the iPhone and the iPad, it is a tightly controlled platform;on the other  hand, the Android is open and more diversified. http://www.netacce.com .Here,you will know more about android.

  • Apple is so powerful.iOS only designed for the iPhone and the iPad, it is a tightly controlled platform;on the other  hand, the Android is open and more diversified. http://www.netacce.com .Here,you will know more about android.

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