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Skybox Can Predict iPhone Launch Using Satellite Imagery

Monday June 16, 2014 11:38 am PDT by Arnold Kim
sat
The Wall Street Journal profiles one of Google's recent acquisitions which has implications on mapping, competitive intelligence and even privacy. Skybox Imaging is an intelligence company that by the year 2018 will be able to take satellite imaging to the next level:
By the time its entire fleet of 24 satellites has launched in 2018, Skybox will be imaging the entire Earth at a resolution sufficient to capture, for example, real-time video of cars driving down the highway. And it will be doing it three times a day.
The ability to take such frequent imaging will certainly aid Google's Maps product, but it also opens up a market for competitive intelligence. Skybox says they are already looking at Foxconn every week and are able to pinpoint the next iPhone release based on the density of trucks outside their manufacturing facilities.

Google plans on initially using the technology to improve their Maps product, potentially providing more up-to-date satellite images, but Skybox executives have long term plans for offering their data to outside developers for a fee.

[ 124 comments ]


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keysofanxiety
68 months ago
Cool technology! Maybe they can figure out why my wife keeps doing unpaid overtime at her employer's hotel. :confused:
Rating: 40 Votes
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AngerDanger
68 months ago
This seems analogous to using nuclear radiation to cook a pop tart.
Rating: 25 Votes
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MarkusL
68 months ago
Forget the iPhone launches. When is someone going to invent a technology to predict Mac Mini refreshes?
Rating: 24 Votes
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MikeAnd
68 months ago
Great...

So can a guy with a few hundred bucks and a willingness to bribe someone at Foxconn. Not to mention anyone with a calendar, an Internet connection, and the ability to read Apple's special-event announcements.
Rating: 22 Votes
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SeattleMoose
68 months ago
Google continues to prove they are nothing more than the NSA's lap dog....
Rating: 22 Votes
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Oohara
68 months ago
Skybox?

Or is it actually Sky...net?? :eek:
Rating: 21 Votes
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suprakc
68 months ago
Google sucks. Can't stand the company, there products, or there sub-contracted products.
Rating: 16 Votes
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Goldarn
68 months ago
"We've noticed you're driving to Best Buy. Here are some coupons you can use, all tagged with specials codes so we can see what you bought to improve your future recommendations."
Rating: 13 Votes
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coolfactor
68 months ago
This is scary, in the wrong hands.
Rating: 12 Votes
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MonstaMash
68 months ago
Considering the numerous fines Google has seen with its mapping services, I feel like this is just asking for another court case.
Rating: 11 Votes

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