After relying on Google and Skyhook to provide location services for the iPhone, it appears that Apple took control of their own destiny by creating their own service with the launch of iOS 3.2 on the iPad -- and nobody noticed until now.
TechCrunch is reporting on Apple’s invisible location services switcheroo, which was only recently discovered when Cupertino changed their privacy policy and caught the attention of two U.S. Congressmen who sent the company a letter inquiring about the change. That prompted a reply from Apple’s general counsel, Bruce Sewell, and buried on page five of the 13-page letter was an interesting paragraph.
“To provide the high quality products and services that its customers demand, Apple must have access to comprehensive location-based information,” Sewell wrote. “For devices running iPhone OS versions 1.1.3 to 3.1, Apple relied on (and still relies on) databases maintained by Google and Skyhook Wireless (“Skyhook”) to provide location-based services. Beginning with the iPhone OS version 3.2 released in April 2010, Apple relies on its own databases to provide location-based services and for diagnostic purposes. These databases must be updated continuously to account for, among other things, the ever-changing physical landscape, more innovative uses of mobile technology, and the increasing number of Apple’s customers. Apple has always taken great care to protect the privacy of its customers.”
Did you catch that? Apple basically ‘fessed up to using its own location services “beginning with the iPhone OS version 3.2 released in April,” and nobody noticed. That means Apple’s location services partners, Skyhook and Google, have been kicked to the curb for newer iterations of iOS and Apple has (big surprise) taken control of their own destiny.
After being approached for a comment on the subject, Skyhook refused to specifically talk about their relationship with Apple, but a representative did tell TechCrunch that “Everyone who has a platform wants to own as much of the location stack as possible. Location data is going to be huge and owning it is going to be the next big war in mobile.”
We’re guessing that with the ongoing rivalry between Apple and Google, the folks in Cupertino didn’t lose any sleep cutting another tie with the search giant. What will the future hold? Given that Apple recently bought Poly9, creators of 3D mapping software, as well as another map maker called Placebacse last year, we’re guessing that Google Maps could get kicked to the curb in the future -- or at least be shifted to playing second fiddle to an Apple-designed Maps app. Time will tell…
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