It looks like Apple and Google are heading for the battlefield.
Just on the heels of the reports that Apple is dropping Google's Maps application from its iOS devices and instead adopt its own navigation versions, the search giant announced its plan to add 3D models to entire metropolitan areas to Google Earth on mobile devices. Now, Apple is expected to counter with its latest application.
Apple, which is organizing its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) from June 11 to June 15 at San Francisco's Moscone West, is expected to announce its own mapping application that would challenge Google Maps as one of the most-valued features on the iPhone.
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."
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.
Google announced on Wednesday (June 7) that it would take images of major cities by using planes.
"We will begin adding 3D models to entire metropolitan areas to Google Earth on mobile devices. This is possible thanks to a combination of our new imagery rendering techniques and computer vision that let us automatically create 3D cityscapes, complete with buildings, terrain and even landscaping, from 45-degree aerial imagery. 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, VP of Engineering, Google Maps, on its official blog.
