It’s super-hot in Australia right now: there are massive bush fires happening spontaneously and it’s 95°F in Sydney at midnight. In fact, the Australian bureau of meteorology has recorded the highest ever known temperature in Australia—and as a result, it’s had to add new colors to its weather maps. More »
Yesterday, we reported that Google was redirecting Windows Phone users who tried to access maps.google.com to Search instead. Google has offered an explanation, stating that the redirect was in place because Internet Explorer mobile on Windows Phones provided a lackluster experience. In light of improvements with the browser, however, Google says that it is now in the process of taking down the redirect.
News of the Maps redirect surfaced shortly after the FTC’s long probe into the company’s alleged harmful practices came to an end with Google receiving a mere wrist slapping. Speculation abounded that this was a move on Google’s part to harm its competition, something fueled by the recent claim by Microsoft‘s Vice President David Heiner that Google is deliberately harming Windows Phone. Another issue fueling speculation was that users could still access Maps via maps.google.co.uk.
Google says that the redirect was only a product decision, not a malicious attempt on its end to backhand its competition. The company then went on to state that Google Maps was designed for WebKit and that because Internet Explorer mobile used a different rendering engine, it could not access Maps. Many pointed out that the explanation didn’t make complete sense, given that the desktop version of IE 10 can access Maps fine. Google then went on to clarify, offering this statement to The Next Web:
“We periodically test Google Maps compatibility with mobile browsers to make sure we deliver the best experience for those users. In our last test, IE mobile still did not offer a good maps experience with no ability to pan or zoom and perform basic map functionality. As a result, we chose to continue to redirect IE mobile users to Google.com where they could at least make local searches. The Firefox mobile browser did offer a somewhat better user experience and that’s why there is no redirect for those users.”
[via TNW]
Google working on removing Maps redirect for Windows Phone is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
After a bit of craziness yesterday when the mobile version of Google Maps stopped working on Windows Phone 8, Google has clarified/changed its story. According to reports by The Next Web, Google Maps mobile is coming back after all. More »
Earlier today rumors started floating around that Google is somehow now blocking Windows Phone users from accessing Google Maps through Internet Explorer. Well, it turns out that that was totally false and untrue. As it turns out, the mobile browser version of Google Maps was built for Webkit-based browsers, and the mobile version of Internet Explorer is not based on Webkit. So that’s why it doesn’t work. Now go on about your business. More »
The rumorsphere is alight with speculation that Apple is in advanced acquisition talks with Waze, with sources saying that Apple is trying to talk the company’s price down to somewhere in the half-billion dollar range. Apple already uses Waze as a data partner with its monumentally flawed Maps application. Waze is unique in that it provides social traffic data gathered from drivers.
Initially, the rumors stated simply that Apple was in talks with Waze, with neither company offering any comment on the claims. Soon after, however, a new source appeared stating that negotiations are revolving around price, with Waze asking for $750 million, and Apple trying to talk it down to $400 million with an addition $100 million in incentives. Waze’s revenue primarily comes via advertisements, and fell short of the $1 million mark last year.
One of Waze’s biggest advantages is that the data is gathered via actual vehicles navigating the roads. Thus far, Apple Maps has proven to be a large failure, with the platform sending drivers to incorrect locations, including bodies of water and the sides of buildings. In its worst mistake to date, the system was sending drivers into the middle of a desert-like national park, stranding them in conditions that can be fatal.
The fiasco was compounded by the elimination of Google Maps from iOS 6, something that has since been remedied by the release of the Google Maps for iOS app in late 2012. For now, the negotiation remain in the realm of speculation, but the move wouldn’t be surprising. Given the details that have surfaced, however, the back and forth between Apple and Waze might not come to an end any time soon.
Update: New sources “close to the situation” have stepped up to say that the deal is not taking place, though information beyond that is scant. Were Waze and Apple ever in talks? Nobody knows. With neither company willing to comment on the speculation, this one gets filed away into the Rumors folder.
[via Tech Crunch]
Apple rumored to be in acquisition negotiations with Waze [UPDATE] is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
![Apple In Negotiations With Waze To Rescue Its Maps App [Rumor]](https://i0.wp.com/cdnrss.ubergizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/apple_waze_iPhone_maps.jpeg?resize=625%2C334 "Apple In Negotiations With Waze To Rescue Its Maps App [Rumor]")
The Apple Maps drama has to be one of the most public screw-ups in the company’s recent history as they arrogantly thought they could deliver a maps application as good, probably better, than Google Maps. Not only did they completely fail at that task, but the move also removed Google Maps from everyone’s iOS devices starting at iOS 6. Luckily, iOS users got Google Maps back last month, but Apple would still like for its Maps application to mean something more than a complete and utter mess. And to accomplish that, it may be hiring some outside help to deliver exactly what they want.
According to a report from TechCrunch, Apple may currently be in talks to acquire Waze, which is a mapping application that uses the power of its users to help drivers find the correct route to their destination. Waze was also one of the maps Apple recommended as an alternative when it publicly apologized for the issues all of us were having with Apple Maps.
At this point, negotiations are advanced to the point where price figures are being thrown around. Currently, Waze is looking to make $750m from the deal, while Apple is willing to offer $400m + $100m in incentives. If the rumor turns out to be true, Apple might finally have acquired a company that could possibly rescue its Maps app from more embarrassment.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Apple Eyeing New Display Technology From Innolux [Rumor], Sideload iOS Apps Sans Jailbreak,
Earlier today, Kia Motors and Google announced a partnership that would bring Google Maps to new car models. However, Hyundai has also made a deal with the search giant to bring Google Maps integration to their own vehicles as well, including some pretty awesome features, like Send To Car and voice search.
Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics platform currently offers a variety of features that make driving more convenient and information-packed, but the addition of the Google Maps and Places API should make the experience even more feature-filled. One of the coolest features is Send to Car, where users can look up a map on their computers, and then send it to their car’s navigation system.
Users can also voice search for a point of interest, as well as any other local search from the system. This will no doubt be a huge convenience for travelers, who now won’t have to fiddle with buttons on the navigation system, and simply just speak out directions or search for locations using just their voice.
Hyundai will demo the new technology and the Google Maps integration at CES next week. We’re guessing Hyundai will start implementing the new technology in 2014 models, but the company hasn’t yet announced what cars will receive the integration.
Hyundai to bring Google Maps integration to upcoming car models is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
While Google might be working on their own driverless cars of tomorrow, it looks like the company is wanting to expand further into the auto industry. The company is partnering up with Kia Motors to bring Google Maps and Place services into Kia’s new UVO eServices telematics system, which will be rolling out in new models later this year.
Google’s Maps and Places APIs will power systems included in Kia’s new 2014 Sorento CUV models, which will provide Kia owners with turn-by-turn directions and also assisting with the location of nearby points-of-interest with Google Places. Kia also developed its own UVO smartphone app that will connect to the Sorrento’s telematic system, beaming over mapping data from the handset directly to the car.
Kia’s UVO also provides hands-free phone connectivity, options to connect USB devices and media players, as well as a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, which includes roadside assistance and maintenance services. The 2014 Sorrento is planned to go on sale in Q1 2013.
Tech companies have become more and more involved with the auto industry throughout the past year. Nokia partnered with BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Hyundai to push its Navteq mapping platform to vehicles and provide location and commerce content to their in-car systems. Even Apple got in on the fun and partnered with several car makers to bring Siri functionality to their new models, with GM becoming the first company to integrate it into its new Chevrolet vehicles.
Kia announces Google Maps integration for new car models is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
The amount of people in the whole world is pretty wildly unfathomable. For that matter, even a subset like just the 300,000,000 or so that live in the United States can be hard to wrap your head around. This interactive map by Brandon M-Anderson helps by showing one dot for each of them. It’s pretty wild. More »
Sometimes, simple explanations can be the most revealing. Take this map, for example, which depicts thousands of years of human history by representing each country with a single word. Turns out to be painfully accurate. More »
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
