A new report today from Swedish news service Rapidus (via Tech.eu) claims that Apple has been quietly increasing its presence in Lund, Sweden with a focus on an "advanced mapping technology" that aims to further improve Apple Maps . The company is reportedly working out of a new R&D center in the city said to have launched last November.

ios9mapsnewfeatures

Now, a report from news agency Rapidus claims Apple has been quietly ramping up its operations in Lund, a city near Malmö in Sweden, where it is apparently working on 'advanced mapping technology'. Reports that Apple had set up a relatively secretive R&D center in Lund first surfaced in November last year, but it's always been unclear what was being worked on over there.

The news today points toward continued improvements for Apple Maps, which is currently seeing a significant amount of investment from Apple. The company has in recent months expanded its fleet of vans surveying streets around the United States and other countries with a variety of sensors. Apple confirmed over the summer that the data collected from the vehicles will be used to improve Apple Maps in the future, likely with street-level imagery similar to Google's Street View.

Top Rated Comments

Mavelous Avatar
128 months ago
Where are we in the whole "Apple Maps Data Needs Fixing" thing? I've used Maps as a SatNav since iOS 7 when I got my first iPhone, and have never had a problem with it.
Great. every time I use my maps app I'm gonna be led to IKEA
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thekeyring Avatar
128 months ago
Where are we in the whole "Apple Maps Data Needs Fixing" thing? I've used Maps as a SatNav since iOS 7 when I got my first iPhone, and have never had a problem with it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jsameds Avatar
128 months ago
A "Streetview from Apple" is what I'm waiting for.

I imagine it will be integrated with FlyOver for a seamless transition between maps and streetview, and that you'll be able to roam freely through the roads as opposed to teleporting from bubble to bubble as is the case with Google's.

It's gonna be so cool! :cool:
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Keane16 Avatar
128 months ago
I am happy to see the continued investment in maps. Still I am curious why Sweden? Seems like a strange place to develop maps, but I guess, whatever.
The question should be why not Sweden. Excellent country, with a strong background in Tech and Science.

In particular Lund has an great research University which I imagine makes it a hotbed for talent? Just a guess though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lund_University#Academics

"According to the book, The Flight of the Creative Class, by the U.S. urban studies, Professor Richard Florida ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Florida') of University of Toronto ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Toronto'), Sweden is ranked as having the best creativity ('https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity') in Europe for business and is predicted to become a talent magnet for the world's most purposeful workers. The book compiled an index to measure the kind of creativity it claims is most useful to business – talent, technology and tolerance"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Sweden

I'm glad Apple is expanding globally, with this and the R&D Center in Israel. Helps tap into local talent.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lincolntran Avatar
128 months ago
Great. every time I use my maps app I'm gonna be led to IKEA
Every time I looked for a Target near my house, Google Map takes me to a child care center. Google Map has taken me to wrong places in more times than I care to count. Apple Map has improved a lot since launch and I use it most of the time now.


I'd use Apple Maps if my address or even my street were on the map. 2 years of reporting the bug/error have got me nowhere.
I feel your pain. Other people has better luck with reporting in details like street address, gps location, etc. when sending in the bug.


A "Streetview from Apple" is what I'm waiting for.

I imagine it will be integrated with FlyOver for a seamless transition between maps and streetview, and that you'll be able to roam freely through the roads as opposed to teleporting from bubble to bubble as is the case with Google's.

It's gonna be so cool! :cool:
You know Apple, they try to provide a great experience while Google just throw a bunch of buttons and arrows together and call it a day.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
128 months ago
because Apple acquired a mapping company in sweden...?

http://9to5mac.com/2011/10/29/apple-acquired-mind-blowing-3d-mapping-company-c3-technologies-looking-to-take-ios-maps-to-the-next-level/
Thanks. I was not aware of the purchase, but that explains everything nicely.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iphone 16 pro pro max

iPhone 17 Pro Models With BOE Displays Will Be Sold in China Only

Thursday July 10, 2025 11:59 pm PDT by
iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models with displays made by BOE will be sold exclusively in China, according to a new report. Last week, it emerged that Chinese display manufacturer BOE was aggressively ramping up its OLED production capacity for future iPhone models as part of a plan to recapture a major role in Apple's supply chain. Now, tech news aggregator Jukan Choi reports...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iPhone 17 Air Colors Thumb 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air Rumored to Come in These 9 Colors

Friday July 11, 2025 12:30 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air will be available in a total of nine color options, according to new information coming out of Asia. The iPhone 17 Air's expected color options. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean blog Naver, accessory manufacturers are now producing camera protector rings for the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Air in colors to match their...