“We’re very simple people at Apple. We focus on making the world’s best products and enriching people’s lives” -Tim Cook
(Source: Wikimedia)
Apple Maps From The Ground Up
When Apple Maps was launched in 2012, it was met with nationwide controversy as the GPS service was imprecise and users were ending up at the wrong destination. Apple plans to change this as they have been rebuilding Apple Maps from the ground up for four years. The iOS map app currently uses third party data for mapping, which is unsatisfactory for Apple’s ability to make the best mapping platform possible. Thus, the new Apple Maps will rely on first person data collected from iPhone user data, providing more accurate and precise directions. The use of iPhone data allows Apple Maps to find the quickest routes possible, since it uses user data to locate traffic and how individuals get to their destination. Also, to provide accuracy, the company has deployed Apple vans across the country to take photos and map out roads.
Rebuilding Apple Maps is the only way the company believes it could create the best mapping software possible. Apple SVP, Eddie Cue, stated, “We have been working on trying to create what we hope is going to be the best map app in the world, taking it to the next step. That is building all of our own map data from the ground up.” The new Apple Maps will first be available to San Francisco on iOS 12, followed by a U.S. roll-out.
Apple Maps Car (Source: Flickr)
AirPods Get Luxurious
Apple’s ludicrously successful wireless headphones, AirPods, are rumored to be getting a high end version in 2019. Reports coming out are stating that the new AirPods will have noise cancellation, water resistance, biometrics, and an increased range. One of the biggest issues surrounding Apple’s Beats and AirPod line is that they aren’t antiperspirant, preventing users from working out with them on. So these higher end headphone will solve the problem and widen Apple’s headphone market to the fitness sector. In recent years, the company has been promoting positive health and one way they are advancing this is through biometric sensors. Biometrics will allow runners to see their heart rate and view their workout progress through the Health app.
AirPods (Source: Flickr)
Apple’s stock has been volatile this past week, dipping slightly late Friday afternoon.
AAPL Price (Source: YCharts)