As Apple kick starts its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2012 on Monday, expectations are high that it would announce its own mapping application after having dropped Google's Maps application from its iOS devices.
At the five-day conference from June 11 to June 15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, developers will learn about the future of iOS and OS X, allowing them to build incredible new apps. WWDC will also feature more than 100 technical sessions presented by Apple engineers as well as the popular Apple Design Awards, a showcase of the most outstanding apps from the past year.
"We have a great WWDC planned this year and can't wait to share the latest news about iOS and OS X Mountain Lion with developers," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. "The iOS platform has created an entirely new industry with fantastic opportunities for developers across the country and around the world."
According to press release from Apple, developers will be able to explore the latest innovations, features and capabilities of iOS and OS X Mountain Lion and learn how to greatly enhance the functionality, performance, quality and design of their apps. Developers can even bring their code to the labs and work with Apple engineers, applying development techniques and best-practices to enhance their apps.
Apple is expected to come up with its own mapping application during the WWDC to match with the latest application of Google. It is reported that Apple has dropped Google's Maps application from its iOS devices and instead adopt its own navigation versions.
Meanwhile, Google announced on June 7 that it is planning to add 3D models to entire metropolitan areas to Google Earth on mobile devices. It would take images of major cities by using planes.
Brian McClendon, VP of Engineering, Google Maps, wrote on its official blog that it will begin adding 3D models to entire metropolitan areas to Google Earth on mobile devices.
"By the end of the year we aim to have 3D coverage for metropolitan areas with a combined population of 300 million people," wrote Brian McClendon.
