Apple takes on rival Google with mapping app
Tech giant Apple is set to take on rival Google with the launch a 3D map of the world. The news was announced yesterday at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, where senior vice president of iOS software Scott Forstall mapped out plans for the upgraded operating system.
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Mr Forstall revealed that the company had been "flying in helicopters and planes" to build a 3D model of the world but, in a bid to outdo Google which announced similar technology plans last week, a new app is in the pipeline that will use "anonymous, real time data from iPhone users to keep traffic data up to date".
Since 2007, the iPhone has been reliant on Google Maps but iOS6 will come with its own mapping data.
The system's map app will provide live traffic updates, turn-by-turn directions and voice control via Siri, effectively becoming an iPhone user's answer to sat nav.
Siri's role in the iOS6 will also be extended to allow users to update their Facebook status via voice commands, launch applications and movies and will come complete with a number of new languages, including Spanish, Korean and Mandarin Chinese.
Though there was no mention of the long-awaited iPhone 5 or confirmation of when iOS6 would be available, it is expected to run on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
The new upgraded Macbook Air and MacBook Pro were also unveiled at the conference, with the latter boasting more pixels than an HD TV thanks to the 'retina' display featured on the new iPad. It will, however, come at a price - the high-end laptop will start at an eye-watering $2,199.
What do you think? Will Apple's new app win the 'mapping war' against Google? Leave your comments below...
