6 ms·

I'm guessing the "new process" is structure from motion and high-performance bundle adjustment (probably using Ceres, which they just opened). It's fascinating

by gatlin 14y ago

I'm guessing the "new process" is structure from motion and high-performance bundle adjustment (probably using Ceres, which they just opened). It's fascinating to think what they'll be able to reconstruct with their computing power and hi-res satellite imagery and millions of Picasa photos.

huggyface 14y ago
Google Maps/Earth is a simply amazing product. I've seen a lot of hype building about what Apple is to unveil in the coming days, but I honestly cannot imagine what they can present that can challenge Google (though it won't be hard for them to challenge the terrible mapping in iOS currently which, while using basic Google tiles, is in an app built by Apple). You mentioned Picasa and that reminded me that a few weeks ago I was showing my children some sights (e.g. the Eiffel tower) from around the world, and all over the place were overlaid, perfectly mapped personal photos. In the demonstration they discussed how they do this, which is essentially Google Planes getting AirView with special cameras (very similar to Google StreetView).
- taligent 14y ago
  Well based on what I've seen from Google so far it looks like what C3 (whom Apple acquired) has had for a while now. So to be honest it is Google catching up in the 3D space. And clearly Google is rattled as all of this comes just days before Apple is set to announce their products. I guess losing a significant amount of traffic (all iOS users) will do that to you. Either way it will be nice for Google to have some honest competition.
  - tonfa 14y ago
    Does iOS maps show ads from Google?
    - huggyface 14y ago
      None. There is profoundly little value for Google in having Google serve the mapping for iOS, unless Apple is paying the big dollars (I suppose possible given that Google has started monetizing mapping), though we know in the net exchange Google pays far more to sit as the default search for iOS Safari, having nothing to do with mapping. I've seen the "mobile wars" bit about Apple dumping Google across the news world and it's a bit bizarre really as no one can state what Google gains from the current situation, but I guess just the glory of being iOS' mapping technology?
      - bluthru 14y ago
        This is incorrect. There are sponsored links at times inserted via Google Maps API.
        magicalist 14y ago
        I don't believe this is correct. I can't think of any instances that sponsored links have been inserted into my maps, and the terms of service still say that they reserve the right to insert ads in the future (with a 90 day warning), but that they don't do so right now.
    - abruzzi 14y ago
      Yup. I was searching for a hotel in Roswell, and a "sponsored link" located the Motel6 with a different pin icon than the others. Go center the map on Roswell, NM. Search for "motel" and you'll see the ad, and it will come back as the default selected pin.
      - 205guy 14y ago
        Exactly. Search results for businesses or locations in Gmaps on iOS are broken because of all the irrelevant junk they include, and I can only assume they do it because they got paid.
  - huggyface 14y ago
    C3 has had essentially tech demos, just as Microsoft Research has. For that matter what Google has shown thus far is nothing more than a demo. It's really up to who can scale it up in a fully usable mapping technology, and I have a lot of faith in Google on that front. 3D imaging alone is close to useless. Google already has superb mapping, navigation, traffic and information systems, and layer that atop just ensures that they miss no checklist items. It's going to be incredibly difficult for Apple to compete with Google's offering, especially given that the gimmick (which it really is) of 3D has been diffused. I guess losing a significant amount of traffic (all iOS users) will do that to you. I honestly don't get this line of thought. The rather terrible iOS mapping application has zero Google ads or integration with other Google services. Where is Google profiting from that situation? While everyone is busy firing up the conspiracy that Apple is dumping Google, it seems far more logical that the dumping is going the other way, and has been underway for years (the Android mapping app is literally years ahead of the iOS mapping proggy).
    - gdubs 14y ago
      Where they benefit is brand recognition. It has ensured, at least up until now, that everyone and their grandma – with an iPhone – thinks 'google' when they think 'maps'.
    - ryannielsen 14y ago
      I honestly don't get this line of thought. The rather terrible iOS mapping application has zero Google ads or integration with other Google services. Where is Google profiting from that situation? Actually, the iOS Maps app does offer sponsored links. e.g. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjaysplanet/6992735051/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjaysplanet/6992735051/ I often see sponsored links when mapping stuff in the Bay Area; no clue how common they are elsewhere. (Though the above link is a screenshot of Maps in the Netherlands.) Presumably Google, not Apple, is profiting from those sponsored links, but I've never seen confirmation either way. If it is Google, then they might see some fiscal impact when Apple stops driving iOS traffic their way. (And I think it's far, far more likely that Apple's dumping Google. Apple's made key acquisitions for satellite imagery, spacial rendering, and mapping; Google already had that tech in-house. Why would Apple make such a large fiscal investment if they had no plans to ditch Google? Likewise, if they knew they'd move all their mapping tech in-house, why let Google make advancements on iOS? By keeping the Google-based Maps app simple, it's easier to wow customers when they deploy their own solution. If Google were allowed to innovate, then Apple would be forced to be on par, and likely would try to be better, when the Apple-based Maps app went live.)

by gatlin 14y ago

huggyface 14y ago

Google Maps/Earth is a simply amazing product. I've seen a lot of hype building about what Apple is to unveil in the coming days, but I honestly cannot imagine what they can present that can challenge Google (though it won't be hard for them to challenge the terrible mapping in iOS currently which, while using basic Google tiles, is in an app built by Apple). You mentioned Picasa and that reminded me that a few weeks ago I was showing my children some sights (e.g. the Eiffel tower) from around the world, and all over the place were overlaid, perfectly mapped personal photos. In the demonstration they discussed how they do this, which is essentially Google Planes getting AirView with special cameras (very similar to Google StreetView).

taligent 14y ago
Well based on what I've seen from Google so far it looks like what C3 (whom Apple acquired) has had for a while now. So to be honest it is Google catching up in the 3D space. And clearly Google is rattled as all of this comes just days before Apple is set to announce their products. I guess losing a significant amount of traffic (all iOS users) will do that to you. Either way it will be nice for Google to have some honest competition.
- tonfa 14y ago
  Does iOS maps show ads from Google?
  - huggyface 14y ago
    None. There is profoundly little value for Google in having Google serve the mapping for iOS, unless Apple is paying the big dollars (I suppose possible given that Google has started monetizing mapping), though we know in the net exchange Google pays far more to sit as the default search for iOS Safari, having nothing to do with mapping. I've seen the "mobile wars" bit about Apple dumping Google across the news world and it's a bit bizarre really as no one can state what Google gains from the current situation, but I guess just the glory of being iOS' mapping technology?
    - bluthru 14y ago
      This is incorrect. There are sponsored links at times inserted via Google Maps API.
      - magicalist 14y ago
        I don't believe this is correct. I can't think of any instances that sponsored links have been inserted into my maps, and the terms of service still say that they reserve the right to insert ads in the future (with a 90 day warning), but that they don't do so right now.
  - abruzzi 14y ago
    Yup. I was searching for a hotel in Roswell, and a "sponsored link" located the Motel6 with a different pin icon than the others. Go center the map on Roswell, NM. Search for "motel" and you'll see the ad, and it will come back as the default selected pin.
    - 205guy 14y ago
      Exactly. Search results for businesses or locations in Gmaps on iOS are broken because of all the irrelevant junk they include, and I can only assume they do it because they got paid.
- huggyface 14y ago
  C3 has had essentially tech demos, just as Microsoft Research has. For that matter what Google has shown thus far is nothing more than a demo. It's really up to who can scale it up in a fully usable mapping technology, and I have a lot of faith in Google on that front. 3D imaging alone is close to useless. Google already has superb mapping, navigation, traffic and information systems, and layer that atop just ensures that they miss no checklist items. It's going to be incredibly difficult for Apple to compete with Google's offering, especially given that the gimmick (which it really is) of 3D has been diffused. I guess losing a significant amount of traffic (all iOS users) will do that to you. I honestly don't get this line of thought. The rather terrible iOS mapping application has zero Google ads or integration with other Google services. Where is Google profiting from that situation? While everyone is busy firing up the conspiracy that Apple is dumping Google, it seems far more logical that the dumping is going the other way, and has been underway for years (the Android mapping app is literally years ahead of the iOS mapping proggy).
  - gdubs 14y ago
    Where they benefit is brand recognition. It has ensured, at least up until now, that everyone and their grandma – with an iPhone – thinks 'google' when they think 'maps'.
  - ryannielsen 14y ago
    I honestly don't get this line of thought. The rather terrible iOS mapping application has zero Google ads or integration with other Google services. Where is Google profiting from that situation? Actually, the iOS Maps app does offer sponsored links. e.g. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjaysplanet/6992735051/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mjaysplanet/6992735051/ I often see sponsored links when mapping stuff in the Bay Area; no clue how common they are elsewhere. (Though the above link is a screenshot of Maps in the Netherlands.) Presumably Google, not Apple, is profiting from those sponsored links, but I've never seen confirmation either way. If it is Google, then they might see some fiscal impact when Apple stops driving iOS traffic their way. (And I think it's far, far more likely that Apple's dumping Google. Apple's made key acquisitions for satellite imagery, spacial rendering, and mapping; Google already had that tech in-house. Why would Apple make such a large fiscal investment if they had no plans to ditch Google? Likewise, if they knew they'd move all their mapping tech in-house, why let Google make advancements on iOS? By keeping the Google-based Maps app simple, it's easier to wow customers when they deploy their own solution. If Google were allowed to innovate, then Apple would be forced to be on par, and likely would try to be better, when the Apple-based Maps app went live.)