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.

I’ll admit it. I never really “got” Google Earth. Sure, it’s fun to spin the Earth around and look at your house, but what’s the practical purpose? Google Maps is a much better and simpler way to get directions. Much better satellite pictures can be found elsewhere. In my mind, Google Earth is more like more »