Apple acquires Poly9, new iOS Map app ahead?

When the iPhone was introduced in 2007, one of the main features touted was the tight integration with Google Maps. Three years on, the landscape of the mobile industry has changed considerably, with the launch and subsequent rise of Google’s Android OS. The success of both Android and iPhone have caused a significant rift between the two companies, with Eric Schmidt leaving Apple’s Board of Directors nearly a year ago. But still, Google Maps remains a default application on the iOS, and seems to be up to date with the Google Maps web app.

But this may not last forever.

Apple has purchased Poly9, a Quebec-based firm that specializes in web mapping. Poly9 has provided APIs for Apple in the past, in addition to Microsoft, Yahoo, MSNBC, NORAD and many others. The takeover has been an immediate and immense transition, as Poly9′s website has been removed and all employees that chose to stay with Apple have already moved to Cupertino and joined the rest of the Apple staff. Last year, Apple acquired Placebase, another mapping company, seeking to improve the Maps app. It will be interesting to see what developments to the iOS Maps arise out of Apple’s acquisition of Poly9′s talent and technology.

Read [The Sun]