Back in August it was
reported that c3 Technologies, a 3D mapping company was acquired for $10
billion and shutdown by a mysterious buyer. But now it has been confirmed that
it is Apple that actually purchased the company, 9to5 Mac reported.
Apple, since the launch of
iPhone, has relied on Google to provide users with driving directions. Now with
C3 Technologies, it will handle mapping on its own without depending on Google.
C3 Technologies is able to
create incredibly high-quality and detailed 3D maps of cities and geographic
features using the same technology the military uses in missile targeting to
form the maps. The 3D mapping is camera based and the technology picks up
buildings, homes, and even smaller objects like trees.
Official description of C3:
C3 Technologies is the leading provider of 3D mapping solutions,
offering photo-realistic models of the world for search, navigation and
geographic information systems. Since 2007 when
it was spun out of the aerospace and defense
company Saab AB, venture-backed C3 has redefined mapping by applying previously
classified image processing technology to the development of 3D maps as a
platform for new social and commercial applications. The Sweden-based company’s
automated software and advanced algorithms
enable C3 to rapidly assemble extremely precise 3D models, and seamlessly
integrate them with traditional 2D maps, satellite images, street level
photography and user generated images, that together are forever changing how
people use maps and explore the world.
C3 Technologies isn’t the
first 3D mapping company that Apple has acquired. In 2009, it bought Placebase.
Then last year it bought Poly9, a project
similar to Google Earth.
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