Apple Acquires High-End GPS Startup to Save Maps

by Henry T. Casey May 18, 2015, 8:34 AM

In its latest move to improve its Maps platform, Apple has acquired GPS hardware and software startup Coherent Navigation. Coherent specialized in GPS-based navigation products and services that leveraged data from satellite network Iridium. Along with other recent Apple acquisitions, this pickup suggests an upcoming major revision to Maps, which comes standard on Macs, iOS devices and the Apple Watch.

Coherent products were built for both consumers as well as the U.S. government and military. Company co-founder Paul Lego now bills himself as a member of the Apple Maps Team on his LinkedIn profile, where he stated that Coherent was “a commercial high-precision navigation service.” If Apple Maps could describe itself with similar confidence, it could go a long way in catching up to Google Maps.

MORE: iOS 9 Rumors: What Apple Has Planned for its Next OS

Apple Maps had such a poor and rocky launch, company CEO Tim Cook wrote a public apology for its failings a week after it was released in 2012. Ending a partnership that used Google Maps inside of Apple's own solution, the original version of Apple Maps became a point of frustration because of its inaccuracy. Once Google Maps made it back to iOS as a standalone app, Maps-integrated apps began offering an option for users to use Google's option instead, since Apple Maps was built on so little data in comparison.

Apple’s recent maps-based hires include developers of such apps as Pin Drop, Locationary, WifiSLAM, HopStop, Embark and Broadmap. AppleInsider suggests that all of this new talent points to a relaunch of Maps at WWDC this June. If the new Apple Maps can provide stronger accuracy and its long-expected mass transit directions, it just might be able to direct a few users away from Google Maps.

Source: The New York Times

Henry T. Casey is a Staff Writer at Tom's Guide. Follow him on Twitter @henrytcasey. Follow us @tomsguide, on Facebook and on Google+.

About the author

Henry T. Casey @henrytcasey

Henry T. Casey is a staff writer at Tom’s Guide covering security and music. You can find him at local concerts or tinkering with his cold-brew coffee process.

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Osmin May 18, 2015, 9:48 AM

Are they working to add Street View in order to compete with Google Maps? I mostly relied on Navigon for directions but would run Google Maps for street view information. That makes not only identifying your destination quicker but you can check for parking options too.
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henrytcasey May 18, 2015, 9:51 AM

Osmin said:

Are they working to add Street View in order to compete with Google Maps? I mostly relied on Navigon for directions but would run Google Maps for street view information. That makes not only identifying your destination quicker but you can check for parking options too.

Rumors of Apple's fleet of cars driving around cities suggest its possible, but no big rumors to that direction yet.
1
jasonelmore May 18, 2015, 10:11 PM

yeah until apple maps has street view, there simply is no comparison.

I would also like both google and apple to consider commercial vehicle drivers, and give them specialized routing based on Dimensions and Weight of the vehicle.
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fuzzion May 19, 2015, 10:36 PM

Whatsapp can soon be used for video calls and phone calls between appl and android. goodbye facetime.

Google makes superior maps, so this purchase is more of a hedge move.
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Caanis Lupus Jun 5, 2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

I would also like both google and apple to consider commercial vehicle drivers, and give them specialized routing based on Dimensions and Weight of the vehicle.

I am not a CDL but that would be a very good feature.
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xenogen Jun 7, 2015, 9:38 AM

Google is just too way ahead of the game in the maps category that I could never see Google allowing Apple to make a better app. Now that Apple let the cat out of the bag by exposing its maps app its game over. I hope Apple can finally pull some new innovation out of its ass so there can be some actual competition.
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kentlowt Jun 9, 2015, 6:46 PM

Quote:

yeah until apple maps has street view, there simply is no comparison. I would also like both google and apple to consider commercial vehicle drivers, and give them specialized routing based on Dimensions and Weight of the vehicle.

Hazardous material routing info would be great as well.
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blackns Jun 21, 2015, 4:08 PM

I never had a problem with Apple maps on my Iphone 5s. Now that I'm back on Android (g3), i actually miss it. My system freezes and is very inaccurate daily. Apple maps was the best thing about the iphone imo
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eklipz330 Jun 25, 2015, 8:45 PM

Quote:

Google is just too way ahead of the game in the maps category that I could never see Google allowing Apple to make a better app. Now that Apple let the cat out of the bag by exposing its maps app its game over. I hope Apple can finally pull some new innovation out of its ass so there can be some actual competition.

competition is wonderful, but maps is one area where google continues to push itself without others trying to steal marketshare.
1
velocityg4 Jul 10, 2015, 7:24 AM

Rather than some startup Apple should have partnered with or acquired TomTom or Garmin. Give the user options to download complete maps as well. I could care less about features like street view. I just care about quick re-routing, traffic routing, accurate navigation, efficient routes, a clear spoken voice, good advanced notice of turns, what direction the second turn will be and announcing the street address when I'm at my last turn.

As it stands now traffic routing sucks, if I'm not careful it will send me to a completely different address, it warns you way before a turn and when you are right on top of it, rarely says the turn after, some routes are way out of the way, listing roadblocks is impossible, and sometimes won't say a street number until you've passed it.

I know I can get some of this info looking at the map. I'd rather it be spoken so I don't have to take my eyes off the road.
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