"Hey Siri" support and possibly wireless charging case alongside AirPower charging mat.
Apple Reportedly Had Over a Year Left on Maps Contract with Google
Amid widespread complaints over Apple's new iOS 6 Maps app, which replaced the Google-powered application that had shipped on iOS devices since the iPhone debuted in 2007, some observers have wondered how much of the shift was due to Apple's desire to reduce its reliance upon on Google and how much might be due to other factors.
In particular, there has been some speculation that demands by Google could also have played a role in Apple's decision, with the suggestion being that Apple may have been forced to roll out its own mapping solution a bit sooner than it had planned for if its contract with Google had been running out.
The Verge now reports that such speculation is unfounded, with Apple and Google having had over a year left on their contract for Google's Maps app. Consequently, Apple could presumably have continued using Google's app in iOS 6 as it worked to improve its own mapping product for a launch with iOS 7 next year.
In particular, there has been some speculation that demands by Google could also have played a role in Apple's decision, with the suggestion being that Apple may have been forced to roll out its own mapping solution a bit sooner than it had planned for if its contract with Google had been running out.
The Verge now reports that such speculation is unfounded, with Apple and Google having had over a year left on their contract for Google's Maps app. Consequently, Apple could presumably have continued using Google's app in iOS 6 as it worked to improve its own mapping product for a launch with iOS 7 next year.
For its part, Apple apparently felt that the older Google Maps-powered Maps in iOS were falling behind Android — particularly since they didn't have access to turn-by-turn navigation, which Google has shipped on Android phones for several years. The Wall Street Journal reported in June that Google also wanted more prominent branding and the ability to add features like Latitude, and executives at the search giant were unhappy with Apple's renewal terms. But the existing deal between the two companies was still valid and didn't have any additional requirements, according to our sources — Apple decided to simply end it and ship the new maps with turn-by-turn.Apple's decision apparently caught Google off-guard, as Google is reportedly still several months away from having a standalone maps app ready for submission to the App Store.
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83 months ago
Android phones have had far superior native maps/navigation since day 1, and I agree with the article that the gap was widening with each release. Apple made the right move. They'll get maps right eventually.
83 months ago
If this is true, then Apple really let us (the customer) down. As a software developer, I don't see any down side (other than cost) to taking the time needed to put out a fully baked product. As far as cost goes, Apple has $100 B in the bank. I think they can afford it.
83 months ago
What a frigging boneheaded move. The person responsible should be questioned closely. And I daresay that Steve would never have released a new service that was worse than the old.
83 months ago
If this is true, then Apple really let us (the customer) down. As a software developer, I don't see any down side (other than cost) to taking the time needed to put out a fully baked product. As far as cost goes, Apple has $100 B in the bank. I think they can afford it.
Maps will be improved much faster with customer feedback than they could have been in private.
Being a software developer doesn't have anything to do with it. The software is done. It's the data that's lacking.
83 months ago
I prefer Apple Maps over Google Maps. :p
That's good, because you don't have any choice.
83 months ago
Oh, wow. If this is true, then Apple really screwed us over. What on earth were they thinking? :eek:
Who cares about turn-by-turn directions or fancy 3D-buildings when your core data is so broken?
Who cares about turn-by-turn directions or fancy 3D-buildings when your core data is so broken?
83 months ago
They hate Google. Is it hard to understand?
Is it hart to understand that they hate Google? No. Is it surprising that they let that hate result in a sub-par user experience like this? Yes.
83 months ago
apple bit their noses to spite their face; permanently scared the apple core.
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