03/07, 6:30pm
iPhoto iOS now using custom map info
A search through iPhoto for iOS has discovered that Apple has dropped Google Maps tile data for the software. Checks by 512pixels showed that new app uses information that's both cosmetically different as well as based on different data, ranging from high-level terrain data to low-level urban coverage. A follow-up investigation by Holger Eilhard has shown that the tiles are being extracted from a gsp2.apple.com server and not Google.
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10/29, 2:35pm
Apple C3 deal may show deeper maps focus
An as yet unconfirmed claim has pointed to Apple being the mystery buyer of C3 Technologies. The firm is reportedly still working out of its Swedish office and is informally known as Sputnik, 9to5 heard. CEO Mattias Astrom, CFO Jkell Cederstrand, and lead product manager Ludvig Emgard are all still said to be working, although it's not clear if anyone was let go.
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08/11, 11:25am
Tech would obscure unimportant map info
A newly-published US patent application shows some of the results of Apple's buyout of Placebase in 2009. Simply titled Schematic Maps, the filing was submitted by Apple, but credits Placebase founders Jaron Waldman and Moran Ben-David as inventors. Prior to its acquisition, Placebase specialized in mapping API technology.
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05/31, 10:15pm
Google shoots down talk of ending Apple
Google chief Eric Schmidt at the first D9 interview on Tuesday night shot down rumors of Apple ending their map deal. Describing the interrelationships between Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google as the "gang of four" growing the fastest in the tech industry, he revealed that Google had "just renewed" its map partnership with Apple. He would have been surprised if Apple decided to jump ship just after making a deal.
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04/20, 11:00pm
Foursquare's Crowley visits Apple
Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley drew some attention Wednesday with a check-in at Apple's Cupertino headquarters. The post itself gave no clues but saw him check in at the same time as Holger Luedorf, the company's key organizer for business development and partnerships, as well as its public relations manager Erin Gleason. The latter mentioned she was going to "the next meeting" less than an hour before ending up at Apple.
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02/18, 10:55am
Google may buy Catch to have iTunes cloud rival
Google may be embarking on a company buyout to counter Apple's buyout of Lala, a rumor argues today. The search firm is believed to be considering a buyout of Catch Media, a startup focused on routing e-books and media across multiple devices and services. It has deals with all four major music labels that would let users keep access.
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01/15, 4:00pm
Apple Quattro deal about fixing mobile ads
Apple's deal to buy Quattro is part of Steve Jobs' own goal of 'fixing' the mobile ad space, an apparent scoop claimed late Thursday. An inside source said to be familiar with his views says he believes "mobile ads suck" and that Apple plans to overhaul iPhone and iPod touch ads in the same way they did music with iTunes. These would be "completely new" and could do away with many forms of search.
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11/29, 4:45pm
Leaks show Apple readying 2010 iPhone
Apple this weekend has tipped its hand early and provided clues as to its future iPhone upgrades. Pandav, the developer of the iPhone train tracker app iBART, reports seeing the previously leaked iPhone 3,1 hardware ID showing up in logs identifying those using the software. The previously unreleased device has been seen as early as the March beta of iPhone OS 3.0 but now appears to be in live testing online, keeping in step with Apple's past practices of testing iPhones' Internet usage several months ahead of release.
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10/01, 7:50am
Apple quietly buys map firm Placebase
Apple has stealthily bought an online map firm in what could represent an aid to the iPhone but a split with Google, a search has discovered. A startup company, Placebase, was bought by Apple in July but provided so little attention about the takeover that it wasn't until a check on former CEO Jaron Waldman's LinkedIn profile confirmed the move. Waldman is now part of a "Geo Team" at Apple performing in an unspecified role.
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