Many major companies like Apple, Microsoft and of course Google have their very own version of the maps app. Apple’s is referred to simply as maps, while Microsoft version is called Bing Maps. As far as Google’s version of maps go : these are perhaps the most popular amongst the bunch – mostly because of the fact that Google maps are available on more devices than others. Now though, Huawei Technologies Co. has went on to announce that it will indeed be launching its very own mapping service : going by the name of Map Kit. The launch for this will take place two months later – in October.
This decision by Huawei comes as no surprise though. Considering the US ban that was imposed on the Chinese manufacturer not so long ago, it meant that the company’s devices could not actually manage to load Google services. Amongst the services does also include Google Maps.
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Map Kit won’t exactly be like other map apps though. According to a source, the app will not actually be available directly for consumer use. Instead, it will actually be designed for developers in order to build applications that go on to take advantage of its mapping capabilities.
The service will be developed as a result of a partnership between Russia’s Yandex and US travel website : Booking Holdings. Not only will it be connected to local mapping services, but it will also be available in 40 languages, along with having coverage in 150 countries and regions. Huawei will also have the power to leverage on its telecom base stations that range across various countries and continents in an attempt to complement satellite positioning for the company’s mapping service.
The president of cloud services based at Huawei Consumer Business Group has described Map Kit as providing real-time traffic conditions, along with a highly advanced navigation system which will have the capabilities to recognize when a car is switching in between lanes, while it will also have the support for AR mapping.
Huawei also did talk about Map Kit at its developer conference that was held just last week. Exactly how successful Huawei’s version of maps will be – we can only wait and see!
