Apple Is Rebuilding Maps Using Its Own Data

Apple Maps was touted as having the potential to overthrow Google Maps ahead of its launch, but fast forward to a few years later, it is clear that Google Maps is still very much the de facto map that many turn to. Apple has clearly made some improvements to Apple Maps over the years, but it seems that they are far from done.

In fact according to a report from TechCrunch, it seems that Apple could be revisiting Maps and rebuilding it from scratch using first-party data. Prior to this, Apple had largely relied on third-party data for its mapping application, but thanks to the company’s efforts at collecting their own data, they plan to overhaul the data in Maps and replace it with their own.

Speaking to TechCrunch, Apple SVP Eddy Cue said, “When we launched, a lot of it was all about directions and getting to a certain place. Finding the place and getting directions to that place. We’ve done a huge investment of making millions of changes, adding millions of locations, updating the map and changing the map more frequently. All of those things over the past six years.”

Of course first-party data doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better, but for those hoping to see these changes in Maps, you could be waiting a while. This is because these changes are expected to roll out in stages and will cover parts of the US stage by stage, so it might be a while before we can get an idea of whether or not these changes were made for the better.

Tyler Lee
Categories: Apple, Cellphones
Tags: Apple Maps, Apps, iOS