Apple eyes new 3D-mapping features in latest patents
Apple Maps has come a long way since its disastrous launch back in 2012, but the Cupertino company still has plenty of room to improve. Three Apple patents published recently show how the firm continues to work on its mapping app, and hints at a few features that might be in development. The first patent describes a system for rendering 3D maps in data-less areas. Apple says it can achieve this by pulling data from nearby areas to create a detailed 3D map. A second patent dives into how the company could create 3D models by combining multiple data sets. For example, Apple Maps would use the 2D footprints of buildings along with 3D data for their heights to create an accurate rendering. Finally, a third patent shows how Apple Maps could combine satellite maps with additional data for a “hybrid” view. The app’s current satellite view already layers on some data, but this version could include even more information. Apple li...