Apple Will Use In-House Mapping Service In iOS 6

Google Maps (left) and mockup of Apple's 3D mapping mode (right)

According to 9to5Mac, Apple is going to move away from Google Maps in iOS 6 by implementing an in-house mapping service with 3D views. The report notes that Apple’s purchases of mapping companies Poly9 and Placebase are ready to pay off, with the recent acquisition of 3D mapping company C3 Technologies complementing the suite of services.

“The most important aspect of the new Maps application is a powerful new 3D mode. The 3D mode does not come enabled by default, but users simply need to click a 3D button that is conveniently and visibly stored in the app. Perhaps under the fold like the current traffic, pin, and map view buttons. This 3D mode is said to essentially be technology straight from C3 Technologies: beautiful, realisitic graphics based on de-classified missile target algorithms”.

The appearance of Apple’s mapping services will be quite similar to the current Google Maps, but Apple’s implementation reportedly will be much faster, cleaner and more reliable. The Maps application will also have a new icon that is based on the same view of Apple’s Infinite Loop headquarters but with new styling and colors.

For some time Apple has been working to decrease its dependency on Google by creating in-house mapping services, as confirmed by its acquisitions of mapping companies and job postings seeking mapping professionals. Apple has already transferred its location services in-house and disclosed last year that it is developing a traffic database based on anonymous GPS data.

Next month in San Francisco Apple is expected to introduce iOS 6 at Worldwide Developers Conference, with the OS presumably making debut alongside the new iPhone later this year.