yinx schreef op 10 september 2012 19:42:
www.forbes.com/sites/tjmccue/2012/09/...Google Maps War With Apple Is Over - Google Won
BBC News posted an excellent article today on Google Maps and their battle with Apple in the coming mapping wars. But the war was over before it started and Apple lost. They lost the day they cancelled the Google maps integration.
Here are three clues that Apple will probably head back to Google Maps within 24 months:
1. Kelion explained that Apple Maps rely mostly on TomTom, the handheld personal navigation device. “Apple’s Maps app will be based on technologies it adapted from three start-ups it bought between 2009 and 2011. But much of the raw location data itself is licensed from TomTom, the sat-nav gadget-maker.”
However, satellite navigation is facing an enormous battle given the speed and ubiquity of mobile phone technology and smartphone apps. The Wall Street Journal reported in May that TomTom is now starting to transition to a mapping company. You can read it here. Just starting? Another plug for Google Maps. The TomTom is a cool device, but if they are just starting to transition to “mapping” company, Apple made a bad choice. I know that Apple fans are going to say “Apple did what they had to do given the circumstances…” Okay. Remember, I’m actually an Apple fan, too. I’m simply saying that Google Maps is the superior product and customers deserve the best.
Kelion writes that the move is a blow to Google, but it is likely to be a short term advertising revenue blip for the Mountain View giant. True, they will not be able to show “sponsored links” on the default Apple iPhone maps for a while, but after Apple licks their wounds and heads back to Google Maps that revenue stream will flow again.