3 ms·

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

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.)
- magicalist 14y ago
  > Presumably Google, not Apple, is profiting from those sponsored links, but I've never seen confirmation either way I don't think that's correct. Apple makes the application, not Google. It's possible, but it seems unlikely that there's a clause in their contract that says, "we'll give you map tiles, you also have to show these sponsored links." It would be great if Google brought a Maps app to iOS, if only for the competition.
  - ryannielsen 14y ago
    I don't think that's correct. Apple makes the application, not Google. It's possible, but it seems unlikely that there's a clause in their contract that says, "we'll give you map tiles, you also have to show these sponsored links." A quick bit of Googling turned up the following confirmation that those ads are, in fact, sold by Google: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/06/hate-the-ads-in-the-iphones-maps-app-blame-apple-not-google/ http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/06/hate-the-ads-in-the-i... I fully expect Google will ship their own mapping app for iOS, if they're ousted from Maps. Also, it's not like there isn't already competition – searching for "maps" on the App Store reveals a healthy collection of mapping apps, including MapQuest and Garmin.

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.)

magicalist 14y ago
> Presumably Google, not Apple, is profiting from those sponsored links, but I've never seen confirmation either way I don't think that's correct. Apple makes the application, not Google. It's possible, but it seems unlikely that there's a clause in their contract that says, "we'll give you map tiles, you also have to show these sponsored links." It would be great if Google brought a Maps app to iOS, if only for the competition.
- ryannielsen 14y ago
  I don't think that's correct. Apple makes the application, not Google. It's possible, but it seems unlikely that there's a clause in their contract that says, "we'll give you map tiles, you also have to show these sponsored links." A quick bit of Googling turned up the following confirmation that those ads are, in fact, sold by Google: http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/06/hate-the-ads-in-the-iphones-maps-app-blame-apple-not-google/ http://thenextweb.com/apple/2012/01/06/hate-the-ads-in-the-i... I fully expect Google will ship their own mapping app for iOS, if they're ousted from Maps. Also, it's not like there isn't already competition – searching for "maps" on the App Store reveals a healthy collection of mapping apps, including MapQuest and Garmin.