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Print 4 comment(s) - last by someguy123.. on Jul 3 at 5:34 PM

  (Source: engadget.com)
The new maps service will likely be used on the Kindle Fire, which is Amazon's Android-powered tablet

Amazon is apparently looking to enter the maps business, as it recently acquired 3D mapping company UpNext.

UpNext is a New York-based 3D mapping startup that was founded in 2007. It provides interactive three-dimensional maps of 50 cities nationwide, where enhanced details are available for 23 of these cities.

UpNext has also offered other features in its 3D map services, such as information about certain buildings in the cities, point-to-point directions and different views of the city. UpNext typically offers its services through iPad, iPhone, and Android apps.

Now, Amazon, which currently doesn't have a maps service, has acquired UpNext for an undisclosed amount. However, reports say investors are getting a 5x return on their investment made back in March 2011, which was $500,000.

The new maps service will likely be used on the Kindle Fire, which is Amazon's Android-powered tablet. A new Kindle Fire is expected to be released as early as this month, and could potentially offer the maps service. An Amazon smartphone with maps could also be an upcoming potential device.

Map services seem to be all the craze these days. Last month, Google revealed a new 3D maps option as well as Street View Trekker, which uses photography equipment to take pictures of places that can only be reached on foot. In addition, Bing just added 165 TB of new satellite imagery to its Bing Maps service.

Source: Giga OM


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*scratches head in confusion*
By quiksilvr on 7/3/2012 3:45:28 PM , Rating: 2
Uh...Why doesn't it just use Google Maps?




By geddarkstorm on 7/3/2012 3:46:09 PM , Rating: 2
Because, it's what's UpNext.


RE: *scratches head in confusion*
By kleinma on 7/3/2012 3:50:48 PM , Rating: 3
Amazon doesn't really like google I think. They like using their free stuff, but don't want to be tied to them. The Kindle Fire is an android fork, where Amazon just took what they wanted to make the OS, since it was free, and cheaper than developing for themselves. They never have to rely on google now for the OS, but they can pick and choose what features of android to implement in their own kindle fire code base. However just look at the fact that amazon competes with google directly, having their own app store for android while google has their own. If you use google's mapping service you are tied to google, you are tied to their license agreement for their mapping API, and you are tied to showing their ads.


By someguy123 on 7/3/2012 5:34:59 PM , Rating: 3
They don't make anything on the hardware, so I suppose they want to datamine as much as possible. Using googlemaps means google gets that information.


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