Google is the undisputed maps king. But with reports that Apple is getting ready to unveil a competitor application (and simultaneously boot Google Maps from iOS devices), Google has announced some pretty cool upgrades to it's indispensible maps function, PC Mag is reporting.
At a San Francisco press conference Wednesday, maps chief Brian Mclendon revealed it's working on adding "the next dimension" to the program--literally. As in, Google Maps is going 3D, and the search giant plans to unleash a fleet of planes to fly over the U.S. to capture map imagery in three dimensions.
McClendon, who called the Maps search box "more powerful than a geocoder," said a launch event within the next few weeks will feature several U.S. cities getting the 3D treatment.
The next generation of Maps for Android will also get an offline mode (already available in Labs), and notably, will not offer the same to Apple iOS users. McClendon declined to comment on the rumors about Apple's decision to ditch Maps for a proprietary maps program, which it could reveal as soon as next week at its Worldwide Developer Conference.
The Apple maps program is also rumored to include 3D capability.
