Mysterious Apple vans are collecting data for Apple Maps

5/31/2015 Apple , Apple Maps , Izzah Ramzan 0 Comments

Image Credits: IDB

Apple introduced its own iOS Maps app three years before, the Maps app was set in place of Google Maps which was working as map provider in iPhone and iPad, now the Cupertino company is prepared for the setting of first basic and main improvements to the maps service. It is familiar to us that Apple is gearing up for the launch of a mass transit direction service this fall in handful of cities, it has also been reported by sources that it is advancing its first whole in-house mapping database to minimize its dependence on TomTom by using a fleet of mysterious vans to take photographs of business storefronts to replace yelp photos, and building a 3D street view feature. The type of vans used by Apple are sensor-equipped vans and they have been seen working in cities like Los Angeles, New York city and Dallas earlier this year.
Details about the working of vans according to the plans of Apple for future of its own maps service are below.

Apple's own Maps data by 2018

The Apple maps were introduced and started in iPhone and iPad in the end of 2012. Apple has availed the elementary geography data drawn together from several third-party resources, one of which is also TomTom. This principal data for mapping software is called “base map”. The primary errors during work described by the Apple Maps workers were a consequence of Apple collecting several data sources instead of composing its own one single data base, just like the opponents such as Google, MapQuest and Nokia HERE have been doing for several years.

Apple is nowadays engaged in the process of composing its own base map data, using beige black and white mini-vans to increase and improve the work already done by achievements like BroadMap. These mini-vans have been the issue of rampant speculations they were first noticed months ago, and it was suggested that these were test vehicles which were to be introduced by Apple. It was later revealed by sources that these were merely working to collect data and images for Apple Maps application.

The present objective is to renovate the foundation of Maps application, transfer to the in-house base map database by 2017: this will lead to cutting of ties with partners such as TomTom whish presently have multi-year map contracts. Apple is hoping to attain the  map shift by 2017, it has been revealed by a source that Apple is not entirely willing to complete this aim, so the launch is probably in 2018.

For end users, this transition will help in more exact and fast updated data. In result of which Apple will gain more authority over user experience, as a result, it will reduce the dependence on partners for data to be updated. Apple is adopting a significant perspective to its upcoming indoor mapping feature which has been emerged with a wholly new iBeacons furnished with many small independent robots.

3D view

With an inclusion of assistance of in-house map data collection, these Apple Map vans are furnished with cameras to grab the street view data. Apple is the following the idea of classic street view interface on which Google has been working, according to Apple; it is not intuitive to users,According to knowledge received by sources, about Apple’s work on Maps services, so the company is searching for new method for present street view imagery.

Apple is developing new paths to accumulate the data from its new camera to make a 3D street view data; a feature of this kind has not much possibility to happen. However, Apple still has another planning for imagery that will come to public sooner rather than later

Replacing yelp with storefront stills.

Sources reported to us that the vans of Apple equipped with camera are still involved in the process of taking pictures of businesses along with commercial roads. A codename has been internally set by Apple that is “project Gardar” an obvious reference to Norse strongholds in new field of activities. Apple is planning for the commence of integrated still exterior photos of point of interest this fall in its iOS 9 Maps app. Presently, the cards and listings of certain people within the Apple Map application can be explained with Yelp’s images, which can be seen in the above screenshot.
In order to decrease its dependence on Yelp, Apple intends to place its own photos of storefronts instead of photos taken by amateur reviewers. This process of replacement of Yelps photos with the ones taken by vans is a long initiative planned gradual process of rollout. It is a slow process and will require time unlike the one that happens at once. It is not certain if Apple is still aiming to start the transition with iOS9, but it seems that it is possible to be likely to begin in the next year.

Apple, in the start has introduced its van project to testify, to add up its work on an in-house, next generation Maps geography database and to take still photos of storefronts but the information from sources tells us that photos might be combined together for other intentions of Apple as well, like it was mentioned before about the 3D view feature.     

Lately this month, according to information, Apple is planning to launch a robust mass-transit direction service for iOS 9 with the details provided that Apple is intending to introduce new augmented reality and Browse Around Me features for iPhone and iPad Maps applications. Since Apple uses same features for its Maps application for OS X, it is possible that the company might combine data from its next projects on Mac and also for the course of next few years.

There is also a new tweaked user-interface with new typeface on which Apple has been working and aims to introduce it in iOS 9, there is also a Home app to control Homekit devices split screen apps for iPad, Google is now the competitor, Force Touch Support, iMessage furtherance, an advanced modern keyboard and an all-inclusive focus on quality, security and stability. Apple is active on the working of the same stability intensification for OS X 10.11, further inclusions are being made to new features such as Control Center. Apple's WWDC keynote will occur on Monday, June 8th.

source : 9to5mac