Home Gadgets Apple buys startups HopStop, Locationary in a bid to improve maps

Apple buys startups HopStop, Locationary in a bid to improve maps

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Apple has sold online Page Papi mapping services HopStop and Locationary as a part of its ongoing effort to create a more bold alternative to Google’s navigation gadget. The acquisitions validated Friday provide Apple Inc. more tools to spherical out the maps that it embeds in the mobile running gadget running its iPhones and iPads. Apple relied on Google Inc. for the constructed-in maps on these gadgets until switching to its personal machine final year.

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The swap changed into an embarrassment for Apple when iPhone and iPad customers revealed the maps now and again gave inaccurate guidelines and misplaced famous landmarks. Apple CEO Tim cook ended up apologizing for the gaffes and recommended iPhone and iPad customers depend on Google’s maps unless enhancements can be made.

When Google released a new mapping app for the iPhone late ultimate yr, it quickly turned into probably the most downloaded program for the instrument. Google’s maps are also broadly used on cellular units working on that firm’s Android device and via web browsers on personal computers.

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Apple, which is primarily based in Cupertino, Calif., is not announcing how it plans to install its latest acquisition. Apple buys smaller technology corporations from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our function or plans,” firm spokesman Kristin Huguet said. Big apple-based HopStop gives directions to main transit systems and biking routes, well-liked features on Google’s maps.

Locationary, based totally in Toronto, collects and analyzes information to help create extra actual maps. Phrases of the acquisitions weren’t disclosed. Last month, Google paid $1.03 billion to buy an Israel startup known as Waze that relies on social networking to observe native traffic prerequisites.