Apple Maps getting a boost with Locationary startup buyout
Apple’s Maps app was one of the company’s rare public failures, partially responsible for costing at least one Apple executive his job, and leading to a rare public apology from the Cupertino firm.
CEO Tim Cook has already committed to fixing up the app, and a new rumoured purchase could be the most major step in the right direction for the beleaguered cartography application.
According to sources speaking to AllThingsD, Apple are in the process of purchasing Canadian location start-up Locationary.
Locationary crowd sources location and amenities data, verifying that all information given is not only accurate, but up to date at a minute level, including whether or not stores and public places are temporarily closed (say, for refurbishment).
When quizzed on the news, an Apple spokesperson gave an uncharacteristically suggestive response:
“Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
That’s nearly confirmation, right?
Either way, if the new purchase is indeed going through, it’ll take a little while for the benefits to hit the app. In the meantime, why not check out the newly-released iPad version of Google’s amazing Maps app.
