“Apple is incorporating advanced 3D imaging to bring a variety of new features to iOS users, from building outlines to topographical terrain to fully rendered 3D models that not only replace Google’s StreetView, but offer to provide 360 degree views across neighborhoods, behind buildings and even off roads,” Daniel Eran Dilger reports for AppleInsider.
“In August 2011, Apple bought C3 Technologies, known for its work in developing 3D images based on aerial or satellite images. By melding building model outlines with photos taken from satellites or low flying aircraft, C3 figured out how to create virtual models without necessarily sending cameras down the street,” Dilger reports. “While StreetView is tailored to discovering what an exact address looks like from the perspective of a passing car, Apple’s Flyover technology can provide both a bird’s eye view of building faces and an interactive, 360 view of panoramas from rooftops or hilltops or virtually any arbitrary, midair vantage point.”
Dilger reports, “Another distinct advantage of Flyover over StreetView is that in StreetView, the user must proceed through panoramic nodes one step at a time. With Flyover, users can hover above a location, viewing the entire street and surrounding streets all at the same time, seeing a continuous representation of an entire path through a given neighborhood. ”
Much more in the full article – recommended – here.
Related articles:
iOS 6 Maps app superior to Google maps; will also be used in third-party apps – August 4, 2012
Apple looks to wipe Google off the ‘map’ with iOS 6 – August 2, 2012
In the wake of Apple Maps, Google slashes prices on their maps API – June 23, 2012
With Siri and new alliances, Apple takes on Google search – June 21, 2012
Apple using Waze data in new iOS 6 Maps – June 13, 2012
Apple takes aim at Google with new in-house Maps with amazing Flyover, even smarter Siri – June 12, 2012
Apple goes thermonuclear on Google with new releases – June 11, 2012
Apple posts video of WWDC 2012 Keynote Address – June 11, 2012
Apple shows off iOS 6 with all new Maps, Siri features, Facebook integration, Shared Photo Streams via iCloud, and more – June 11, 2012
Steve Jobs: ‘I’m going to destroy Android, because it’s a stolen product; I’m willing to go thermonuclear war on this’ – October 20, 2011
Maps are great but I hope Apple doesn’t forget the data behind the map. 99% of the time I use maps I’m searching for something local. It’s going to suck if my search results are inferior to google maps.
It works great! It gives 3d turn by turn with a touch of the screen.
I haven’t had it not find anything that google hasn’t. The only time, and I’m sure it will be tweaked, is when you search broadly for food. For instance, if you search for Italian, it might show you results 20 km away (fixed by misspelling the word). Its listings are pretty much the same.
I used to think it would be a loss to not have street view. However after playing with flyover, I find this to be better.
It gives you much more context and you don’t have to “virtually drive” down the street to catch what it is you are looking for. I suspect that a lot of people will like this instead and forget street view.
Yes less creepy, and no naked people. Did I say that?
I can’t wait until ad-free next generation search engines supplant Googlestalker.
there’s gotta be SOMEONE out there big ‘n naked enough that FlyOver will render them!
I’m sold on street view it works great.
This seems more like fluff than really usable. Beautiful looking fluff but fluff
Troll Alert! Battle Stations, Battle Stations!
“Troll”?
You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Inconceivable!
I hate to say it, but I agree. I think Street view is great and I don’t see FlyOver supplanting it. With Street view you get actual true images. But hopefully Apple will improve FlyOver and we can get rid of another Google feature.