“Since the original iPhone’s debut in 2007, Apple’s iOS devices have made use of an Apple-built Google Maps application to provide users with a quick glance at driving directions, traffic, route guidance, current location information, and details about destinations,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac. “Like with most sections of Apple’s business, the company is continually innovating, looking to take products to the next level.”
“A few years ago, Apple set out to seemingly reinvent this iOS mapping experience. As 9to5Mac reported in 2009, Apple scooped up their own mapping software development company called Placebase,” Gurman reports. “In the summer of last year, Apple went one step further in their obvious pursuit of a completely in-house mapping solution and acquired a 3D mapping firm called Poly9.”
Gurman reports, “Apple’s Poly9 purchase obviously means Apple is at least interested in (or considering) the field of three-dimensional mapping solutions. We’ve now confirmed that Apple has purchased a second 3D mapping company… C3 Technologies.”
Here’s an example of C3 Technologies’ in action:
Much more in the full article, including more C3 videos, here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Dow C.” for the heads up.]
Related articles:
Patent application shows Apple looking to advance iOS ‘Maps + Compass’ with augmented reality – August 18, 2011
Evidence in iOS 5 that Apple is building its own mapping solution – June 23, 2011
Evidence in iOS 5 that Apple is building its own mapping solution – June 23, 2011
Apple looking to ‘radically improve’ iPhone Maps and location services – March 25, 2011
Apple acquires Poly9 online mapping firm – July 14, 2010
Apple’s purchase of map firm Placebase a sign of Google rift? – October 1, 2009