Apple Using OpenStreetMap Data in iPhoto for iOS

[ganymedes13]

I appreciate the reasoning, but Tom Tom has made very little progress with their software in the last years. I think Apple could give a generous donation to OpenStreetMap, hire a few developers to create an iPhone / iPad application that makes it very easy to add map data to OpenStreetMap, and hire a few more developers who write software that creates really nice maps from OpenStreetMap data. That would probably give better maps in a short time.

I would agree with you if I thought OSM was better. Tom Tom and Garmin is still better than any other solution. Apple probably has over $100 billion in the bank now. A Tom Tom acquisition is pocket change.

They wouldn't even give a dividend for all the cash they have on hand. Why is this money sitting there unused? 20% of their worth comes from cash on hand which is rarely heard of in any business.

 

[Bensalama21]

Pretty sad even if this is old data that roads by me that have been here since 2001 aren't on the map. Can't we just agree that Google has a nice map service and continue to use it???

You can't always rely on another company for a major part of your products. Especially when that other company is your rival in the industry. It is only a matter of time before Google pulls the plug and won't allow Apple to use their maps anymore.

 

[doctor-don]

Perhaps the map you see from this is just a sepia effect.

Personally, I would like to see updated satellite map data from Google. Some are 3 years old.

 

[Morky]

Pretty sad even if this is old data that roads by me that have been here since 2001 aren't on the map. Can't we just agree that Google has a nice map service and continue to use it???

The mapping company acquisitions Apple has made are significant. I guarantee Apple is coming out with their own mapping service and tools, as location has become too important to let others control it. It's been a few years now since the first acquisition, so I wouldn't be surprised if this will be a big part of iOS6.

 

[BeardedOrc]

So I think the people judging these as ugly or un-clear are kind of missing the point. These are supposed to be kind of pirate-mappy. It's for getting an idea of a place, not for driving around it.

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

 

[Flitzy]

Bing Maps has long been better then Google Maps, any way.

I was hoping that Apple would finally pull the plug on Google sooner then later. I hope that iOS 6 has a maps/navigation app too. I wouldn't say no to making Yahoo or Bing the default search in Safari, either.

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

Actually, this customer is happy they're not using Google. I quite prefer these that they're using, thank you very much.

 

[rmwebs]

Nonsense. If I'm using a program to make a scrapbook (which is exactly where this is implemented) I do NOT want some stupid company logo in the middle of my finished product.

You need to learn how licensing works. Apple have used the maps under a license, and broken the license terms. Just like with Google, they must keep the copyright license information on the maps. It's only fair given that the OSM project is free and done and relies on donations. From the looks of things Apple didn't even pony up a bit of cash to donate to the people that did all the hard work. Hopefully this will change.

IMO I'd rather they continued paying Google - you cant go far wrong with their maps.

 

[ihateilove]

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

Oh that's rubbish. "At the expense of their customers"? In what way? Apple IS STILL USING Google Maps (for the present). It has acquired and is acquiring new technologies to wield in order to develop their own solution.

The Cook Doctrine says Apple won't deploy a solution unless it thinks it can innovate in the sector. These baby maps are not the final solution, they're just a small iterative cutting out of Google in an element of the product line which is of less consequence.

Yes, in future Google seems likely be cut out. But Apple will attempt to offer something that isn't just unique to its platform, but also better. The company may even, you know, guarantee not to sell your location data to other firms. As well as making its maps an essential and central element to the iOS platform (and in future probably, the Mac).

I don't accept that customers are losing out at any level in this particular move. The only firm losing out is Google, which suddenly loses a huge chunk of its access to location data on mobile platforms, while also facing a similar threat from Windows 8, which will hit market using the partnership model. Only with patented ideas it actually owns or has bothered to license.

It's Google's fault at the end of the day. It's entire business plan has such little regard for original creativity, be it music or books or mobile platforms. It's a search engine and sees everything as data. A dumbing down of the value of knowledge. When Schmidt seemingly crossed Steve Jobs, he arrogantly failed to realise that his actions created a hostility that goes right to the root of Apple itself. People there now see Google as a potential enemy, and a turncoat, to boot. This means that even at the tiniest microcosmic level it's likely Apple employees are always willing to investigate ideas which may harm the search giant.

I'd argue that this was Google's most foolish mistake.

Apple's customers aren't suffering. Google is suffering. Surely that's clear to everyone?

 

[rmwebs]

Actually, this customer is happy they're not using Google. I quite prefer these that they're using, thank you very much.

Thats only because you've got the Apple hates Google thing going on...What possible benefit do these new maps have over Google Maps exactly? Zilch. Worse quality, worse data. That's the bottom line, and that DOES affect the customer.

 

[Small White Car]

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

I'm not talking about the map data. I'm specifically talking about the people commenting on the map art. They can use whatever art they want, no matter if they do or do not use Google. It doesn't change what it will look like.

 

[econgeek]

Now MacRumors is quoting lies of Apple bashers as if they are fact? Really?

There is NO EVIDENCE Apple is using OSM data.

Over the years, MacRumors has reported many times about Apple acquiring mapping companies.

Yet some Open Source zealots post a blog post claiming that Apple stole their data and you just repeat it?

What's next, you going to start reporting every claim of Samsung in their lawsuits against Apple as the Gods Honest Truth?

I'm tired of these open source zealots attacking Apple. When Apple uses open source projects, they complain. When Apple open sources their own code, they complain. When Apple doesn't open source something they complain.

Apple bashers have been dishonest and have been bashing Apple for the past 30 years.

I'm amazed that MacRumors takes what they say without engaging in any critical thinking and just repeats it as fact.

 

[sciwizam]

Now MacRumors is quoting lies of Apple bashers as if they are fact? Really?

There is NO EVIDENCE Apple is using OSM data.

Over the years, MacRumors has reported many times about Apple acquiring mapping companies.

Yet some Open Source zealots post a blog post claiming that Apple stole their data and you just repeat it?

What's next, you going to start reporting every claim of Samsung in their lawsuits against Apple as the Gods Honest Truth?

I'm tired of these open source zealots attacking Apple. When Apple uses open source projects, they complain. When Apple open sources their own code, they complain. When Apple doesn't open source something they complain.

Apple bashers have been dishonest and have been bashing Apple for the past 30 years.

I'm amazed that MacRumors takes what they say without engaging in any critical thinking and just repeats it as fact.

Apple Maps (AKA Apple are thieving bastards)

 

[deannnnn]

I love that they chose a lovely beige color to indicate the ground, then a slightly different variation of beige to indicate highways, and then a slightly different variation of beige to indicate neighborhood streets. Toss in some beige labels and you've got yourself a map.

 

[akdj]

The mapping company acquisitions Apple has made are significant. I guarantee Apple is coming out with their own mapping service and tools, as location has become too important to let others control it. It's been a few years now since the first acquisition, so I wouldn't be surprised if this will be a big part of iOS6.

Agreed, 100%! you nailed it. I truly, honestly believe 'street view' mapping and 3 dimensional mapping is the 'new', 2nd generation topography based interface....for everything. Imagine in the airline industry...gaming, recreational (backpacking, mountain climbing...simple family camping trips)....across the realm of transportation. Not JUST the vehicles on the highways.

Apple now has money. GPS didn't exist just over a decade ago for those of us consumers...The FAA's Capstone project could be augmented with 'reality' terrain shots...those of us kayaking an obscure river in Idaho know the steepness of the terrain and true distances we'll have to portage...the list goes on. I'm sure Apple has considered this...and now they have the money to 're-invent' mobile mapping and the way we work with the interface...whatever it's on...our phones, built in to our vehicles or a separate screen on the flight deck.

Time will tell...but In my VHO...this is truly an area that can and will be refined and taken to a new level. I live in Alaska...and it's really cool to see the "Google" car cruising my neighborhood every other year or so...but imagine using street level photography...aerial shots...coupled with possible....satellite images>??? Wow! Hope I live to see it

J

 

[econgeek]

Apple Maps (AKA Apple are thieving bastards)

I repeat, there is NO EVIDENCE, Apple is using OSM data.

Remember, roads and even paths in the woods are publicly available and mappable information.

Every decent mapping system should show the same roads and paths, etc.

This is like claiming Apple's using google maps because they both show central park.

I think people fall for this kind of nonsense because there isn't really a good education in science and critical thinking in american schools anymore. I am constantly seeing people fall for pseudoscience these days.

----------

Thats only because you've got the Apple hates Google thing going on...What possible benefit do these new maps have over Google Maps exactly? Zilch. Worse quality, worse data. That's the bottom line, and that DOES affect the customer.

However, Apple, and the companies it acquired are working on some very cutting edge stuff, far better than Google, and so what we're seeing now is probably essentially a beta... to validate the overall system, not the ultimate quality. Google maps started out very poor in the early days too.

The question is, how fast will Apple improve, and it looks like they're aiming to improve faster than google is.

 

[JHankwitz]

Nobody wants to have a company logo in their product like that, but Apple is legally required to put it there.

And what law might it be that mandates a logo?

 

[econgeek]

Apple now has money. GPS didn't exist just over a decade ago for those of us consumers...The FAA's Capstone project could be augmented with 'reality' terrain shots...those of us kayaking an obscure river in Idaho know the steepness of the terrain and true distances we'll have to portage...the list goes on. I'm sure Apple has considered this...and now they have the money to 're-invent' mobile mapping and the way we work with the interface...whatever it's on...our phones, built in to our vehicles or a separate screen on the flight deck.

Consider this-- every photo taken by an iPhone has GPS data embedded in it. Every user of iCloud uploads all those photos.

Apple has a built in mapping application, and massive user supplied database of location data for it to mine.

 

[sciwizam]

I repeat, there is NO EVIDENCE, Apple is using OSM data.

Remember, roads and even paths in the woods are publicly available and mappable information.

Every decent mapping system should show the same roads and paths, etc.

This is like claiming Apple's using google maps because they both show central park.

I think people fall for this kind of nonsense because there isn't really a good education in science and critical thinking in american schools anymore. I am constantly seeing people fall for pseudoscience these days.

Sure, dude.

 

[Flitzy]

Apple Maps (AKA Apple are thieving bastards)

Well, oh boy - if some random person with a Wordpress blog said it then it MUST be true.

It's absolutely clear from the title that there's no agenda, either.

 

[JHankwitz]

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

I don't know what "expense" you're experiencing, but I find Apple's maps easier to read.

 

[hspace]

Yep, where 's the outrage that Apple is using data without credit?

For those doubting this - ALL map providers (Google too) have certain map features which are not strictly correct and unique to them. They use these specific features as a 'watermark' to determine if someone is using their mapping data without permission.

 

[iCarabma]

I think you are missing the point. Bottomline is, there is a better map out there available for them and Apple is not using it. They are engaging this war of attrition with Google in the expense of their users/customers. This petty bickering between the two of them has to stop, if either of them wins, we still lose.

The problem is Google is putting tons of resources into improving Google Maps... for Android. They have no motive to do so for iOS, in fact they have motive to not innovate on Apple's behalf.

One of they very few advantages of android over iOS is mapping. This looks like the first step in exploring other options, or a stall while they get their in house solution ready.

The same is true of Mountain Lion offering native Vimeo support over YouTube.

I would be shocked if there wasn't a new native map app in iOS 6. For what it's worth I think Google maps would still be available in the App store. In fact that might force Google to update it.

 

[sciwizam]

Well, oh boy - if some random person with a Wordpress blog said it then it MUST be true.

It's absolutely clear from the title that there's no agenda, either.

I'm sorry you are too busy to read the post, let me make it easier to read.

https://alastaira.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/apple-maps-aka-apple-are-thieving-bastards/

These “roads” are tracks through woodland in an area called Mousehold Heath, where I often walk my dog. So how did Apple’s map data providers mistakenly think these were roads?

For example, the following image highlights three beautifully rendered, detailed areas of road network…

…which, unfortunately, are nothing more than the lanes in private car parks (belonging to Norwich Union and City College, respectively). Yes, OSM data is that detailed.

 

[mackerski]

I repeat, there is NO EVIDENCE, Apple is using OSM data.

See this map?:

Look for the half-finished road called "Newry Bypass". I spent part of my leisure time adding that road, exactly as it is depicted, into OpenStreetMap. See how the rest of the roads in the area are incomplete? What data source do you imagine that could have come from?

Trust me, we have looked long and hard at this and, at least in Europe, there is nowhere where we couldn't identify the source as OSM.

Edit: Map data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA
(It can happen to the best of us)

 

[econgeek]

For those doubting this - ALL map providers (Google too) have certain map features which are not strictly correct and unique to them. They use these specific features as a 'watermark' to determine if someone is using their mapping data without permission.

I think pretty much everybody knew that already. However, nobody has shown Apple copying such data from OSM.

Just because this method of identifying the source of data exists, does not mean that some jerk who calls Apple "thieves" in a blog post is correct with his claims.