If you use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, you’ve probably become very accustomed to (and maybe frustrated with) the mapping feature. It’s not the sexiest app, but I’d wager that it’s in the top five most used on your device. Right now, the maps you see are powered by Google Maps, but that’s about to change. 9 to 5 Mac is reporting that Apple will take control over mapping when it updates its operating system to iOS 6, which will likely be released next month. Apple has been working with, recently acquired mapping companies, Placebase, C3 Technologies, and Poly9 on the updated app. From 9 to 5 Mac: “The application design is said to be fairly similar to the current Google Maps program on the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, but it is described as a much cleaner, faster, and more reliable experience.” Even with all this new, fast and fancy technology, we’re probably still going to hear stories about people making left turns into the lakes.
One of the improvements expected comes courtesy of 3D the graphics C3 Technologies brings to the table. Although the feature isn’t expected to be automatically available, with a quick swipe, your phone will soon have access to “realistic graphics based on de-classified missile target algorithms.”