Google is always looking for ways to exist on the “cutting edge” and with the maps split from Apple expected to happen shortly, there spending a small fortune on Public Relations to push the new “updated features” of Google Maps.
If you haven’t seen the news yet, the latest iPhone is predicted to be using Apples own Mapping service rather than Googles Mapping service. This has created an issue for Google with a large user base predicted to stop using Google Maps. To counter this move Google has in the last few days released a large number of Press Releases and insights into the future of Maps.
Probably the weirdest feature and press release they’ve released to date is their new 3D mapping service. Google is currently deploying a fleet of small, camera-equipped airplanes above several cities. The idea of this plan is to create a 3D map of the city where a user can navigate an “aerial view” of the city.
Now it’s important to note that Google has used airplanes previously to map cities, for example in the 2010 San Bruno Calif explosion Google sent in private planes to collect aerial photos of the explosion. But this is the first time that Google has purposely sent out a fleet of planes with the purpose of creating a 3D cityscape.
According to the company spokesman they plan to have the first 3D cityscape accessible on Google Maps within the next few weeks. This radical plan was actioned in response to Apples plan to discontinue the Google Maps service on iPhone devices.
It will be interesting to see how this new media campaign and feature release will help Google to retain Maps users. Ultimately we believe that users will opt for convenience and use the new Apple Maps service because it comes pre-installed on the device.
Let us know in the comments below whether you plan to use the new Apple Maps service or continue using Google Maps.
