On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Facebook has hired Apple’s former Maps manager, Richard Williamson. Williamson was in charge of Apple’s iOS mapping team, and was fired in November after the new Maps application was released with many issues and faced intense criticism. By hiring Williamson, Facebook is expanding its mobile push and improving its iOS and Android application to reflect many of the changes that they have made on the web version. Facebook released version 6.0 of their iOS application earlier this week with a new Chat Heads feature and a reworked UI.

Williamson joined Facebook in the past couple of weeks to be a manager within its expanding mobile-software group, said two of the people, who declined to be identified because the information isn’t public.

The new UI displays stories and images in a simplified and efficient manner, while the Chat Heads feature allows for users to continue their conversations with friends from anywhere in the application. Last year, Facebook also hired a number of engineers from Apple in an attempt to improve their mobile experience, which turned out to be the new Home feature for Android and part of the new version released this week.

Several members of Apple’s iPhone software group have defected to Facebook as Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg focuses on reaching customers on mobile devices. Apple alumni played a key role in designing Facebook’s recently introduced mobile product, called Home.Other former Apple employees brought in by Zuckerberg include Greg Novick, a former iPhone manager who helped develop the device’s touch interface; Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris, software designers who joined when Facebook acquired their company Push Pop Press; and software engineers Scott Goodson, Tim Omernick and Chris Tremblay.

The report also notes that Facebook also hired Loren Brichter of Twitter. Brichter designed the widely popular Tweetie app a twitter application and worked on former iOS chief Scott Forstall’s team. With all of these new hires, Facebook is gathering talent from all different parts of the mobile market and is setting itself up for developing a solid mobile experience for its users.

{Via MacRumors}

According to German site, iPhone-Ticker, Apple is planning to release iOS 6.1.2 as early as next week. This comes only a few days after the Cupertino, California based company released iOS 6.1.1 to the public, which addressed 3G issues on the iPhone 4S. iOS 6.1.1 only addressed the 3G issue, so it is likely that the other features noted on the beta version of iOS 6.1.1 which was released to developers will arrive in 6.1.3, as this update also addresses specific issues.

Some of these features include updates to the Maps application for Japanese users such as updated freeway color to green and updated icons for some location categories including fire. The iOS 6.1.2 update is expected to address an Exchange bug and a lock screen passcode issue affecting iOS 6.1 users.

By releasing updates in increments, it allows Apple to quickly push out updates to the public while working on bigger issues with iOS at the same time. Apple is now being very thorough with its iOS updates, after experiencing major issues with Siri and Maps, which partly led to the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall.

iPhone-Ticker has a proven track record with reporting on iOS updates, having accurately reported on the iOS 6.1.1 update. The site’s report notes that the iOS 6.1.2 update will likely release before Wednesday, February 20th.

{Via MacRumors}

Apple released several beta versions of iOS 6.1 to developers and is now set to release it to the public. The company was reportedly testing a new beta of 6.1, the Golden Master version, which usually remains unchanged with the public release. According to German site, iFun, Apple is going to release the GM version to developers very soon.

The site cited a ‘reliable source’ and also mentioned that the update had gone through “extensive internal testing”. It is no surprise that Apple is now being extremely thorough with its iOS updates, after the ousting of iOS chief Scott Forstall who led failed projects such as Siri and Maps.

The final version of iOS 6.1 is slated for release next Friday or the following Monday, although there will not be many end user features included in the update. iOS 6.1 will include features for developers to include new features into their applications to integrate iOS Maps, as well as fixes for boarding passes in Passbook and changes in Safari. Users will see some changes in Siri, most notably the ability to purchase Fandango tickets via voice command and a feature that asks security questions when setting up a new device.

Apple normally releases two to three betas prior to releasing iOS updates to the public, and considering that three betas have already come to fruition, this may be the last and final release. The iOS 6.1 update, upon public release will be compatible with the iPhone 5/4S/4/3GS as well as the second, third and fourth generation iPad, iPad mini, and the fourth and fifth generation iPod touch.

{Via AppleInsider}

According to a filing with the SEC, Apple Inc. (AAPL) Senior Vice President of Technologies, Bob Mansfield has sold off 35,000 shares of AAPL stock for the price of $582.21 per share, which equates to about $20.4 million. Mansfield reportedly has 29,548 shares remaining with the company, and will be offered another stock option of 150,000 shares. These shares will be offered on June 2013 and also in March 2016.

Bob Mansfield announced retirement earlier this year when he held the position, SVP of Hardware Engineering. He later decided to stay as SVP of Technologies and now runs Apple’s wireless and semiconductor teams. This new position was given to Mansfield after SVP of iOS software, Scott Forstall was removed from the company following a string of issues with iOS Maps and Siri as well as Forstall’s strained relationship with other executives at the company.

Mansfield is receiving $2 million a month to stay at Apple and run these teams, which are still working through the management shakeup and fixing previous issues. With Mansfield still working at Apple, the company is retaining one of the original executives that is familiar with both the leadership of Steve Jobs and Tim Cook. Apple has had a major turnover with its retail chief, with the departure of Ron Johnson and John Browett and with the removal of Scott Forstall as iOS chief.

{Via AppleInsider}

On Tuesday, Bloomberg reported that Apple Inc. (AAPL) has fired the manager of the iOS 6 Maps team, Richard Williamson. Williamson lead the team that created the new iOS 6 Maps, which many users complained was not very useful, and was not entirely accurate in providing directions. In many cases, the Maps would display a location in the wrong city or country, and sometimes even in the middle of the ocean.

Following a major management shake up at AAPL, which removed Scott Forstall as SVP of iOS Software, Eddy Cue took over the role of managing Maps. Forstall was also reportedly involved “internal politics” at Apple, which also added to the decision for Forstall to be removed. This was one of Cue’s first major changes in his new position, looking for outside assistance now to help move Maps on iOS forward.

A team at Apple has been working to fix the mapping mistakes, focusing first on some of the most glaring problems, one person said. The satellite imagery over the U.K. has been improved and labels for popular U.S. landmarks such as the Washington Monument have been corrected.

The Maps application included in iOS 6 was essentially a 1.0 version, meaning that the Maps team was under an intense time crunch, and was not able to work out many of the kinks generally associated with any new application. Bloomberg also notes that the Maps team is working to fix many of the known issues, while Apple will likely begin searching for a new manager, capable of leading the existing Maps team.

{Via iMore — Image Credit: Apple}

During Apple’s WWDC keynote event on Monday, the company introduced iOS 6 with a redesigned Maps application, built entirely from the ground up. Rumors that Apple was looking to abandon its reliance on Google’s Map data for its Maps app were around for quite some time, and now it has been confirmed.

The new and improved Maps application in iOS 6 adds a number of features not seen in the Google version included in iOS since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007. All of the cartography was done by Apple, with images taken from airplanes from above for the 3D mapping portion of the data.

The new Maps app is based entirely off a Vector engine, providing smooth scrolling, panning and zooming when navigating maps. Features of the new Maps application include, turn-by-turn directions that can also be operated with Siri, local search for millions of businesses,, a crowd-sourced traffic service for real time updates on accidents and traffic issues, Yelp integration, and 3D mapping called ‘Flyover’. The Turn by Turn navigation is presented with street names, smooth, and can switch quickly from an overhead map to navigation.

Apple’s 3D Flyover feature is an excellent replacement for Google’s own Street View and allows users to pan, zoom, tilt, and rotate an almost real time 3D image. The 3D images allow for a 360° view of buildings and allows direct interaction with the picture, unlike the current version which can only be moved horizontally or vertically and is restricted at some points.

iOS 6 will be released publicly sometime during the fall timeframe of iPhone 5. Apple issued iOS 6 beta 1 to developers during the event on Monday and will release several betas before the public release.

{Image Credit: Apple}

The web is swirling from news of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) acquiring mapping company, C3 Technologies in an effort to beat out competition with Google’s Map data, currently available on all iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch models. AAPL has been relying upon Google to provide iOS users with map data and location based services, something that Apple Inc. is trying to take into their own hands.

With C3 Technologies, Apple can create a virtual rendition of the Street View feature of the iPhone Maps application and could provide iOS users with a far more detailed mapping experience than ever before. As noted previously, the Maps application in iOS has not seen a major revision since its introduction in early 2007. A source from 9to5 Mac confirmed the following:

Sure enough, we have now learned Apple is now the owner of C3 Technologies. Sources say that C3 Technologies CEO Mattias Astrom , C3 Technologies CFO Kjell Cederstrand, and lead C3 Technologies Product Manager Ludvig Emgard are now working within Apple’s iOS division. The leading trio, along with most of the former C3 Technologies team, is still working as a team in Sweden (interestingly, the division is now called “Sputnik”), where the C3 Technologies company was located prior to the Apple acquisition.

C3 Technologies were a very popular piece of CES 2011, lighting up the show with demos of their technology on Android and iOS devices. With Apple’s acquisition however, the technology would be limited and developed on iOS only. The company uses formerly classified missile targeting technology to achieve its extremely detailed 3D mapping effects, something that has not been seen on mobile devices.

It is not surprising that Apple wishes to part ways with Google, with all of its hardware and software being created in house. It is currently unclear when Apple will incorporate this new technology, but will likely release in next year’s iOS 6 release.

{via MacRumors}

9to5Google earlier today reported that according to their sources Apple will enhance the native Maps application in iOS 5 but will continue to use Google’s mapping services.

Now, sources have told 9to5Google that although Apple is working to improve the iOS Maps application, iOS 5 will not bring an Apple developed maps service and Google Maps is still in. Besides Apple’s purchase of both Placebase and Poly9, some speculated that Apple is building their own maps service to either compete with Google or step away from their input into iOS.

Apple recently confirmed that the company is gathering crowd-sourced location data which suggests that an in-house mapping service could be in the works.

During WWDC 2011 Apple is expected to announce iOS 5 features and share the release date for Mac OS X Lion. Unlike previous developer conferences the company is focusing on software updates rather than introducing the next gen iPhone.

A new job listing on Apple’s website reveals the Cupertino company is currently revamping its Maps application for iOS. The listing is for an iOS Maps Application Developer who will “develop sophisticated user interfaces” and “add new and innovative features.” The Maps application that comes built-in to iOS has been begging for an update for some time. While it has seen new features here and there since it was first launched with the original iPhone, there is yet to be any significant changes.

The job listing would suggest a major revamp for the Maps application is one the way; including a new user interface and some brand new features. Apple has already made it clear from previous job listings that it is looking to take Maps “to the next level,” and the latest listing shows they mean business.

The full posting reads:

Come work for the team that revolutionized the mobile technology industry as it continues to define what computing looks like in a post-PC era. The Maps team is looking for a proactive and hardworking software engineer to join our team. Along with excellent skills in object-oriented software design and programming, the successful candidate will have real-world experience developing sophisticated user interfaces. Excellent communication skills are also a must, as you will be collaborating closely with Apple’s peerless human interface team to add new and innovative features.

Apple stated in a recent press release that it is currently developing navigation software for its iOS devices, which we would expect to see integrated into the Maps application. However, Apple said navigation features would come within the next “few years,” so we shouldn’t expect that anytime soon.

It’s possible that a revamped Maps application will launch with Apple’s iOS 5 software expected to be announced at WWDC this June. While it won’t include navigation features, it may still boast significant improvements and a new user interface.

Apple is once again looking to add to its team of super-clever people, this time with a view to improve the company’s Maps development team. AppleInsider has discovered not one, but two new listings on Apple’s own job site for an ‘iOS Maps Application Developer’.

Listed as two full-time positions, the jobs come complete with suitably (for Apple at least) cryptic descriptions, though Apple’s new ‘post PC-era’ catchphrase is there in full effect!

Come work for the team that revolutionized the mobile technology industry as it continues to define what computing looks like in a post-PC era. The Maps team is looking for a proactive and hardworking software engineer to join our team. Along with excellent skills in object-oriented software design and programming, the successful candidate will have real-world experience developing sophisticated user interfaces. Excellent communication skills are also a must, as you will be collaborating closely with Apple’s peerless human interface team to add new and innovative features.

Apple’s current Maps iOS applications use Google’s map tiles, but when Apple bought Google competitor Placebase in 2009 it was widely rumoured the Cupertino outfit was looking to sever ties with the people behind the then fledgling Android OS. Those rumours didn’t come to fruition however.

The word on the street these days is that Apple’s MobileMe will be seeing an overhaul sooner rather than later, with a new location-based feature to be integrated. Could the new job listings be related to this in some way?

Of course there’s always the possibility somebody left Apple and they just need to fill seats.

{via AppleInsider}

Big Brother is truly watching you, along with your little brother, your mum and aunt…

Share your location easily and quickly among your friends. All you need is to share the ID number and the password with the people you want to be observed by. Then, through iseeyou.venikom.com they can find your current destination.

This application is essentially a counterpart app to the website http://www.venikom.com/iseeyou/ making clever use of push notifications to find your current location should you want others to see where you are. Simply give them the username and password and they can visit the website anywhere in the world with any web browser.

When you poke the eye (what! no squishy noise?) it will bring up your location on a map and then shake to reveal a full map which isn’t as helpful as it sounds because it’s satellite imagery only. The app also lets you share your location by email by tapping the share icon in the bottom right, sadly both functions mentioned here have been done much better by the built in maps application which allows sending of location via mms as well as email and lets you change between satellite view and map view among other things.

I would have liked to see the app act like a mini version of the web site so you could enter/store other details of friends and family who also use the service. Extra features would be welcomed, like messaging and a pin lock for this application so it can be used in a more professional manner, I could see employees simply removing the application as the iPhone OS still doesn’t offer restrictions for locking apps on your iPhone/iPod touch.

Price $1.99

(as of ver 1.0. 21/09/09)

The Good

• GPS tracking without background app
• No registration required
• Location sharing by email…

The Not so Good

• …and email only
• No copy and paste
• Can’t access other accounts

Reviewed by: TylerDurdan

iSeeYou TV Commercial

]]> https://touchreviews.net/iseeyou-iphone-gps-tracking-review/feed/ 3 https://touchreviews.net/digital-compass-app-iphone-3gs-best/ https://touchreviews.net/digital-compass-app-iphone-3gs-best/#comments Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:20:57 +0000 https://touchreviews.net/?p=2057 Read More]]> iPhone developers are rapidly developing new iPhone apps which use the latest API’s in iPhone SDK 3.0 and new iPhone 3GS hardware capabilities. Developers are using the digital compass (magnetometer) not only in Maps applications but are also using it in games to provide unique gaming experience.

Nearest Tube Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS from acrossair

AirCoaster 3D (iPhone 3G S Compass + Accelerometer = Immersive 3D fun)

Pocket Universe v1.6

Pocket Universe is the ideal astronomy program for those keen to learn about the night sky. The unique display is generated dynamically depending on your location and time, and then rendered in 3D for a super fast response – flick the sky and it spins around you. With “AutoTilt” or “Virtual Sky” mode, and the image will change as you hold the iPhone or iPod Touch up in front of you, making it easy to match what you see on the screen to the real sky.