Apple might have missed out on buying Waze, which was eventually snapped by Google, but that hasn’t slowed down the Cupertino-based company, and it is still looking for ways to boost its native mapping app. After filing a patent for a new navigation technology earlier this month, Apple is now believed to be close to acquiring an online transit-navigation service called HopStop, Bloomberg reports.
HopStop, founded in 2005, is a New York-based company that provides users in over six countries the best way to reach one’s destination using public transport, bike or walking if it is close enough. HopStop’s cartographic expertise would provide a new dimension to Apple’s maps.
In addition to HopStop, AllThingsD reports that Apple is also close to acquiring a crowdsourced location data service called Locationary, which again would boost its native map. This Toronto-based company is sometimes also called the Wikipedia of local business listings, as it uses real-time data from users about local businesses and places worth visiting. The best feature about this service is that it is always up-to-date and users will also be notified if the place is shut at that moment for renovations, etc.HopStop, founded in 2005, is a New York-based company that provides users in over six countries the best way to reach one’s destination using public transport, bike or walking if it is close enough. HopStop’s cartographic expertise would provide a new dimension to Apple’s maps.
