APPLE HAS REPORTEDLY acquired a company that develops 3D maps, in a move that could see iPhone users using Apple-produced photo-realistic maps within as little as one year.
The mapping specialist company that has allegedly been taken over by Apple, C3 Technologies, says it specialises in creating “3D models of the world for search, navigation and geographic information systems.”
Such a move would pose a significant threat to Google, which currently powers the Map service for iPhones, reports Silicon Republic. Apple has already purchased two other mapping companies – Placebase and Poly9 – in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
The 3D technology would not only provide users with a realistic-looking maps, but would also allow Facebook posts and other information to be inserted directly into a map, according to 9to5Mac.
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