In order to take on Google's indoor maps, Apple has dipped into petty cash and paid $20 million for WifiSLAM. This company provides indoor location services using Wi-Fi and GPS. Ironically, the company was co-founded by former Google software engineering intern Joseph Huang along with Jessica Tsoong. With Google offering indoor mapping for airports, stadiums and shopping centers, Apple needs to compete, especially since Apple Maps started off on the wrong foot and still has a poor reputation.
WifiSLAM's indoor positioning data
WifiSLAM uses Wi-Fi to help apps detect a mobile user's location inside and can detect the location within an accuracy of 2.5 meters. Apple needs to make these small acquisitions to improve its Apple Maps application. In Australia, the cops called the application life-threatening as incorrect directions between cities led some travelers to get lost for hours in the Outback. Apple continues to support its mapping application and hopes to strengthen it with acquisitions like this.
An Apple spokesman confirmed the deal with an understatement saying that "[Apple] buys smaller technology companies from time to time."
Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
A discussion is a place, where people can voice their opinion, no matter if it
is positive, neutral or negative. However, when posting, one must stay true to the topic, and not just share some
random thoughts, which are not directly related to the matter.
Things that are NOT allowed:
Off-topic talk - you must stick to the subject of discussion
Offensive, hate speech - if you want to say something, say it politely
Spam/Advertisements - these posts are deleted
Multiple accounts - one person can have only one account
Impersonations and offensive nicknames - these accounts get banned
Moderation is done by humans. We try to be as objective as possible and moderate with zero bias. If you think a
post should be moderated - please, report it.
Have a question about the rules or why you have been moderated/limited/banned? Please,
contact us.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: