Apple v Google in the Mapping Business!
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Hi Guys,
Just learned about possible Apple plans to dump Google Maps and launch their own system. After reading the following articles, I think this could be yet another 'dot to be connected' in Google SketchUp moving to Trimble story!
After 5 years with Google's maps, Apple is reportedly set to unveil its own
http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/05/12/videos-a-peek-at-the-3d-map-technology-apple-bought-in-11/Insanely Detailed 3-D City Maps Are Accurate To Six Inches [Slideshow]
http://www.fastcodesign.com/1663730/insanely-detailed-3-d-city-maps-are-accurate-to-six-inches-slideshowI remember reading about / viewing the SAAB RAPID 3D MAPPING tech using expensive LIDAD scanning to produce incredible results. I had to say WOW! at the time and wondered about Google's SketchUp based method! Its still on You Tube here http://youtu.be/CNemPTHOKWg even though I draw a blank when trying to look up C3 Technologies (see attached image). However I know Apple like to play their cards close to their chest, very close!
It now looks like Apple could well be getting serious about the advertising business again after what appears to be their failed attempt with iAd. It has been reported that they failed dismally as they had to resort to offering heavy discounts to draw advertisers but this didn't work either. Read, A Rare Apple Failure: Heavy Discounts Needed to Draw iAd Advertisers
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-43451659/a-rare-apple-failure-heavy-discounts-needed-to-draw-iad-advertisers/Google using Trimble's recently acquired Gatewing's x100 and possibly other UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) in the pipeline might be a wise move to hold the lead in the advertising mapping business, at least it should be cost competitive! Those SAAB aircraft don't come cheap. The x100 does in comparison.
As I said, maybe another 'dot' to be 'connected' in the picture we are trying to figure out
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a little more info here:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1369905
(plus forum discussion)
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Realtime? wish..
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Interesting ... what this means for Nokia..?
http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/04/c3-technologies-behind-nokias-ovi-maps-3d/
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[flash=560,315:fitfmsqr]http://www.youtube.com/v/CNemPTHOKWg?version=3&[/flash:fitfmsqr]
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Well, I guess that some of these new ventures can compete with Google but until Bing or Nokia or any other ones only focus on bigger US cities (and maybe some European ones) and neglect other areas, this will only be seen about my place...
Ah, and of course, nothing is in 3D on these maps at all.
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There are 3D data ...
Nokia 3d cities were created using C3 technology .. Nokia can not update or expand their 3d maps because of 3C being sold to Apple. (probably)
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@unknownuser said:
Just learned about possible Apple plans to dump Google Maps and launch their own system. After reading the following articles, I think this could be yet another 'dot to be connected' in Google SketchUp moving to Trimble story!
Is this a conspiracy your trying to spark here mike, lol, none the less it's very possible, is there a connection with apple and Trimble maybe, since Trimble have scanning capabilities they would be a high competitor to beat in this field, is this why they are requiring sketchup, interesting.
I like the look of the apple maps, looks fantastic, and the possibilities are huge, just looking at that video and seen how it could be used for flight simulations, military usage, I myself have used sketchup for instruction perposes in the Irish defence forces and it proved very useful, iv often taught wudnt it be great to virtually walk trough a battle scenario before carrying it out, these possibilities are looking very possible with apple maps, another taught, it claims it can provide crowd data for traffic use in real time by using gps location systems, drive a car simulation down a busy street with real time traffic, maybe I'm over thinking this but the possibilities are endless, if this is why sketchup is purchased by Trimble and if Trimble were contracted by apple to create this map system then the outlook for sketchups future opens more and even better possibilities, but again is Mikes spark of conspiracy after infecting my brain with rediculous taughts, lol.
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@gaieus said:
Well, I guess that some of these new ventures can compete with Google but until Bing or Nokia or any other ones only focus on bigger US cities (and maybe some European ones) and neglect other areas, this will only be seen about my place...
There is still place for locally focused services ..
Our local competitor of Google has pretty decent and powerful map service. The quality of aerial images is oustanding and it covers whole country.. they have no 3d yet -
Indeed nice aerials. This is where I was last time around there (drinking solely the local beer on the main square)
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I hope that Apple do offer something exceptional to truly kick Google Earth/Maps butt. The more competition the better.
But I'm a little wary of the fact that Apple's recent releases have been significantly less awesome than the hype created beforehand. Both the iPhone 4S and iPad "3" releases offered very little in terms of improvements. So why automatically assume that just because Apple are dumping Google that they have something awesome to replace it with? The animosity that Apple feel towards Google could spur them to create a GE killer, but it's more likely that they are just dumping Google and going with a close competitor than they're going to make a huge stride forward with their first attempt.
I hope that Apple do offer an awesome service like those flyover movies suggest. I'm not holding my breath though.
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