Apple is preparing to dump Google Maps in favor of their own 3D mapping system in iOS 6, reports 9to5Mac. According to the report, the new mapping app is expected to be faster and more reliable, and will likely be demoed at WWDC in June.
Apple’s relationship with Google hasn’t exactly been warm and fuzzy over the years, and considering that Apple has recently acquired a number of mapping-related companies (including PlaceBase, Poly9, and C3 Technologies), the move away from Google Maps is hardly surprising.
What’s most interesting, however, is the claimed 3D aspect of the new mapping system. The 3D maps will reportedly be based on work by C3 technologies, which we’ve taken a look at in the past. If Apple is able to implement the sort of 3D tech shown in C3’s sample videos (see below), then navigation in iOS 6 is about to get a serious boost.
It’s been suspected that Apple is developing their own mapping system for a while now, but today’s report is the first to begin putting pieces together, and to give a specific timeframe for when Apple might demo the new service.
What do you think? Is it time for Google Maps to die? Are you excited for Apple’s supposed new mapping system?
*Update: AllThingsD has now confirmed that Apple is indeed working on their own “mind-blowing” mapping systen for iOS 6.
