Is Apple’s PlaceBase acquisition gunning for Google Maps?
By Dave Jeyes
Apple bought mapping API company called PlaceBase back in July that allows developers to embed maps in a site using JavaScript, though no one heard a peep about it. It sounds like Steve Jobs is looking to take a bite out of Google Maps.
Information is still sparse about this acquisition, which was given away by a tweet from @fredlalonde of online mapping site OpenPlaces. His tweet read, “Apple bought PlaceBase – all hush hush. Pushpin site taken offline. Hyperlocal iPhone?”
There was no press release and no statement from Steve Jobs about how Apple is looking to leverage PlaceBase’s API. The whole matter was kept awfully quiet considering the fact that Jobs’ personal life is routinely uncovered and discussed online.
In fact, the only confirmation we have for the acquisition comes from former PlaceBase CEO Jaron Waldman’s LinkedIn profile. CNET found that the former CEO is now simply a member of the ‘Geo Team’ at Apple.
Wait a minute. What Geo Team at Apple?
Traditionally Apple has focused on developing Mac OS and desktop software for its users. Then Apple expanded into the device market with the iPod and eventually the iPhone.
However, Apple has never really been much for Web applications or APIs. Sure you have MobileMe and iTunes, but those are cloud services that are basically made to communicate with Apple devices.
So the real question is whether PlaceBase’s mapping technology will continue to be used for the Web or if Apple is looking to simply integrate the technology into the iPhone specifically. What we do know is that Google Maps currently rules the online mapping sector.
Whether Jobs is looking to replace Google Maps on the iPhone or on the Web as a whole, it’s certainly a threat to Google. At least if Apple can make beautiful maps that are also easy for both users and developers.
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Stumble It!
October 1st, 2009
Maybe its looking to integrate Satellite Navigation into the iPhone – without having to buy the Tom Tom program. Surely this would be against its own App Store rules though – but not like Apple cares, it can violate its own rules, but nobody else can.
That aside, if it could make sat nav a standard feature in the iPhone, the iPhone really would be hard to compete with in the market place as it’s yet another feature which the iPhone has on top of its desirability and consumer brand bias towards Apple etc.
October 1st, 2009
What does a javascript mapping API have to do with satellite navigation?