Apple Maps app drops Google

[Jan]

I agree, who cares but

he Pre-iOS Android looks nothing like iOS.
After 2007 Android started looking like iOS

As long as we all agree on the basic principle of "who cares", I find this history pretty interesting and have a link I'd like to share to stimulate discussion on the development of the smartphone market as we know it.

If you (or anyone) has different and more up-to-date info, I'd love to see it. As a student of technological history 'n all.

Check this article: http://www.osnews.com/story/25264/

Here's the (most) relevant bit:

We're talking November 12 2007, and Google released the fist SDK for Android. Other than the keyboard-driven BlackBerry-esque style, the SDK also supported touch screens just fine. And, just as I remembered, Google showed off a reference design with a full touch screen (and, by the looks of it, it's capacitive) - looking suspiciously similar to the HTC Dream, the first Android device - including gestures and flicks.

To plagiarise the article: This means that Google wasn't working with just one prototype, but several, which really shouldn't be a surprise at all, if you think about what Google wanted Android to be.

Android was built to be flexible from the start and run on all manner of devices, with or without keyboard. Unfortunately they only got rid of the requirement of the 3-4 physical buttons with Honeycomb and ICS, though.

One last quote:

However, unlike what has already become an accepted truth for some, the infamous photograph of a prototype Android device was not the prototype Android device. In fact, Google was working on touch screen devices alongside that infamous BlackBerry-like device, and the evidence for that is out there, for everyone to see.

 

[cerebus]

I love the vector graphics on the flyovers.

 

[icyrus]

One last quote:

Not mentioned, Eric Schmidt's role on Apple's board and his access to early iPhone prototypes.

 

[cerebus]

Not mentioned, Eric Schmidt's role on Apple's board and his access to early iPhone prototypes.

Yeah there's been some bad blood between Apple and Google, and frankly Google started the whole fracas what with Schmidt's break away from the Apple board and making their own competitive OS. This move is somewhat of a culmination of Apple's estrangement from Google's services. Now I'm just waiting for them to make a search engine - although Siri can fit the bill there.

 

[Jan]

Not mentioned, Eric Schmidt's role on Apple's board and his access to early iPhone prototypes.

Yeah, but that's a whole different argument The above was just about the belief that "early Android" looked like BlackBerry and then switched to look more like iPhone when it launched in 2007.

If Schmidt was given early enough access to the iPhone, Jobs would surely have made a bigger deal out of it? I mean that would be like the Microsoft betrayal happening all over again.

Yeah there's been some bad blood between Apple and Google, and frankly Google started the whole fracas what with Schmidt's break away from the Apple board and making their own competitive OS. This move is somewhat of a culmination of Apple's estrangement from Google's services. Now I'm just waiting for them to make a search engine - although Siri can fit the bill there.

I don't know about that (Google starting the fight). Just because Apple beat Google to market doesn't mean the products weren't being developed in parallel initially (i.e. without one copying the other). Competition is good for any market, but some people don't handle competition well.

Regardless, the press release issued on Schmidt's departure (http://www.apple.com/pr/library/200...t-Resigns-from-Apples-Board-of-Directors.html) said:

Unfortunately, as Google enters more of Apple’s core businesses, with Android and now Chrome OS, Eric’s effectiveness as an Apple Board member will be significantly diminished, since he will have to recuse himself from even larger portions of our meetings due to potential conflicts of interest. Therefore, we have mutually decided that now is the right time for Eric to resign his position on Apple’s Board.

The part in bold is PR code for "Jobs asked Schmidt not-so-politely to step down or be kicked out." I therefore submit that Schmidt didn't break away of his own accord.

 

[Elimentals]

They use TomTom and crowd sourcing for Traffic Data

LOL just have to add, sooner or later everyone end up using TomTom's data.

http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/licensing/our-partners/

From Google, to Nokia/Microsoft and even Garmin and now we can add Apple to the mix

Oh and an interesting read on how the maps are made can be found below:
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/46085/how-tomtom-maps-are-made (Credit to [)roi(] for the parent link)

Edit: also this makes my previous argument/question about shared traffic data null and void.

 

[undesign]

Amazing how Garmin has dropped of the map...

 

[[)roi(]]

Anyone care to help Tom Tom, you need only to apply for a chance to help map Fiji
http://map-paradise.tomtom.com/en_za/#/section_start/ and earn $15,000 for 2 weeks driving.

/EDIT
I've completed my application; holding thumbs for a winner

 

[MightyMuffinMan]

Never seen the point of a GPS on my phone. I prefer a standalone GPS unit.

 

[undesign]

Never seen the point of a GPS on my phone. I prefer a standalone GPS unit.

I used to feel that way - until I bought a proper GPS app (TomTom). Haven't used my Garmin Nuvi in more than two years since.

 

[Elimentals]

I used to feel that way - until I bought a proper GPS app (TomTom). Haven't used my Garmin Nuvi in more than two years.

Same but in my case its http://www.sygic.com/en