Tech giant Apple secures deal with indoor mapping start-up WiFiSlam
In a recent development, tech giant Apple has acquired US start-up WiFiSlam, a move that could potentially revolutionise the company's indoor location services.
WiFiSlam's technology is purely software-based, designed to discover the indoor location of smartphones. The service is intended for businesses operating large public spaces like shopping malls or venues, allowing them to offer precise, location-based services. Interestingly, the only hardware required for WiFiSlam's technology is existing WiFi access points, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses.
Apple's indoor location service, integrated in Apple Maps through its Indoor Maps feature, primarily targets large public spaces like airports and shopping malls. This service provides detailed interior layouts based on the Indoor Mapping Data Format (IMDF), enabling precise indoor navigation without requiring extensive additional hardware.
Comparatively, Google's location services for businesses operating large public spaces offer more comprehensive and precise data depth and accuracy. Google uses WiFi signals, along with GPS, Bluetooth beacons, and sensor fusion, to enable precise location pinpointing in its Maps application. However, this system usually demands more extensive hardware setups, such as Bluetooth beacon deployments, for greatest precision indoors.
When it comes to precision, Apple Maps' indoor service, while improving and easier on battery/data consumption, offers good accuracy using WiFi and IMDF standards but may not be as granular or widely supported in all venues compared to Google’s solution. Google Maps, on the other hand, provides more precise indoor and outdoor location data due to its vast data collection infrastructure and multi-source signal integration.
In terms of hardware requirements, Apple's solution generally leverages existing WiFi networks and standard iPhone sensors without needing specialized hardware, which simplifies deployment for businesses already equipped with WiFi. Google’s solution often benefits from additional hardware such as Bluetooth beacons installed throughout spaces to boost location precision, which can increase setup complexity and cost.
It's important to note that Google has faced significant criticism over privacy concerns due to its extensive data collection across many services, including location data. Apple, by contrast, has positioned itself as more privacy-focused, collecting less granular user data for location services and employing on-device processing where possible.
The acquisition of WiFiSlam by Apple is estimated to be worth approximately $20 million. The precise, indoor location services offered by WiFiSlam could enhance user experiences in public spaces by enabling more targeted and personalized services. With this acquisition, Apple is taking a step towards enhancing its indoor location services, potentially integrating WiFiSlam's technology into its product offerings.
In conclusion, businesses operating large public spaces may prefer Google Maps for the highest indoor location accuracy and rich data, despite higher hardware and privacy concerns. Apple’s WiFi-based indoor location service offers a simpler, privacy-friendly option with decent precision and less hardware dependency. The future integration of WiFiSlam's technology into Apple's product offerings could potentially bridge this gap, offering businesses a more balanced solution for indoor location services.
| Aspect | Apple Indoor Location (WiFi-based) | Google Location Services (Indoor & Outdoor) | |----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Precision | Good, accurate within certain large venues using IMDF; less granular on some locations | Highly precise, multi-source signals (WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth beacons) | | Hardware Requirements | Uses existing WiFi + device sensors, minimal extra hardware needed | Often requires deployment of Bluetooth beacons in large spaces for best accuracy | | Data & Privacy Concerns | More privacy-conscious, minimal controversial data collection reported | Subject to privacy criticisms for extensive data collection and sharing |
- The integration of WiFiSlam's artificial-intelligence-driven technology into Apple's product offerings could potentially lead to more targeted, personalized services for users in public spaces, enhancing their overall experience.
- Apple's acquisition of WiFiSlam showcases their interest in leveraging artificial-intelligence to improve indoor location services, which could eventually provide a more balanced solution for businesses compared to Google's location services.
