Apple Mapping the World Alone after Google Collision

By Morgan Mayhew on October 1, 2009

According to Computer World, Apple has purchased the map-making software company, PlaceBase.

The report stems from a July Tweet from Openspaces.org founder, Fred Lalonde, saying, "Apple bought Placebase - all hush hush. Pushpin site taken offline. Hyperlocal iphone?"

Placebase.com was taken offline as Internet Archives show the site was still alive in kicking in July but is now a placeholder for documentation for their Pushpin software.

The move by Apple comes after significant tension with Google that first reared its ugly head when Google's voice application was rejected from the iPhone store. That was followed by the August resignation of Google CEO Eric Schmidt from Apple's board.

Schmidt said he made the move to avoid conflict, as the two companies were becoming greater rivals.

Google Maps has been heavily embedded as a feature in Apple's iPhone since its launch. Apple's acquisition of a small, map-making firm is a clear sign that they will be dumping Google Maps from their market dominating phone.

Apple may be going out on a limb on this one.

Since its launch in February of 2005, Google Maps has become the mapping tool of the Internet. Google's innovation with Google Earth and Street Views will make the resource a hard one to beat. Apple will need years just to catch up with Google Maps current features and by that time Google will have mapped a good portion of the solar system (they're already mapped the moon and Mars).

Given Apple's tenacity in what is becoming a bitter breakup with Google, the secretive company may very well pour a good deal of resources behind the project.

Expect Apple Map iCars colliding with Google Street View vehicles in your neighborhood soon.