Amazon to move away from Google Maps, as well?

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Sep 2012 9:07 User comments (6)

It appears that Amazon may be moving away from Google's Google Maps service, just like Apple is doing with its new iOS 6 operating system.

Earlier this week, Amazon unveiled its own Amazon Maps API, giving developers a chance to build mapping tools into their applications that run on the Kindle Fire and all its variations.

While Amazon does not say its own service will be replacing Google Maps, or even if there will be a standalone app, there is certainly a chance.

Amazon would only go as far as to say that the API is a "simple migration path from Google Maps." You can use it to embed interactive maps into apps, as well as add satellite view, points of interest/business locations and other custom overlays.

The new Amazon Maps API is being powered by Nokia's Location Platform, just like Microsoft's Bing Maps.

Tags: Amazon Google Maps Maps api

<Next Photoshop to drop Windows XP support >Asus Windows 8 tablets to cost up to $1299?

6 user comments

118.9.2012 22:23

i1der

Send private message to this user

Member

I see as huge loss for all Kindle/HD users... Google map is off the hook

219.9.2012 03:28

dRD

Send private message to this user

I hate titles

Originally posted by i1der:
I see as huge loss for all Kindle/HD users... Google map is off the hook

Well, Google Maps is basically just a way to view maps. If Amazon can provide a better GUI to maps, IMO, it is great, as we need competition. Nokia's map data is top-notch anyway (and Google relies partly on 3rd party vendors for its map data anyway -- zoom out on desktop and look for the bottom-corner (C) texts and you see who provided data for that particular map view).

319.9.2012 18:47

A5J4DX

Send private message to this user

Senior Member

google maps is the best right now

421.9.2012 06:18

bdaleypsu

Send private message to this user

Junior Member

Gee, I hope it's as good as crApple's iOS 6 Maps.

521.9.2012 11:55

bmok

Send private message to this user

Junior Member

Competition is good. I wonder if Amazon will ban Google Maps app on Kindle. That would be bad. That would be Apple-like, not good. Providing your own is fine. But banning the competition even though it's your platform, that's just not acceptable. I wouldn't buy Kindle if true. I wouldn't buy Iphone for the same reason.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 21 Sep 2012 @ 11:57

621.9.2012 12:22

bdaleypsu

Send private message to this user

Junior Member

Originally posted by bmok:
Competition is good. I wonder if Amazon will ban Google Maps app on Kindle. That would be bad. That would be Apple-like, not good. Providing your own is fine. But banning the competition even though it's your platform, that's just not acceptable. I wouldn't buy Kindle if true. I wouldn't buy Iphone for the same reason.

Wouldnt surprise me if they did. They want to keep the Kindles locked-down in their own little Amazon world. Much like Apple does with its products.

Looks like if you want some control over what you can do with your device, Android is the way to go.

Comments have been disabled for this article.

	YouTube Premium starts showing ads to subscribers (13 Nov 2024 3:09) For years, YouTube Premium has been marketed as a way to enjoy an ad-free YouTube experience. But apparently, that is no longer the case, as Premium subscribers are now starting to see ads on the platform.
	Android 16 will launch sooner than expected (01 Nov 2024 6:45) Google announced that upcoming Android 16 will break the traditional once-a-year cycle of major Android launches. Next Android is poised to launch in Q2 of 2025, so Android 16 should ship before end of June, 2025.
	Winamp ends its "open source" project that wasn't really open source (20 Oct 2024 11:12) Less than a month after the legendary MP3 player Winamp made its source code public, the company has made a sudden U-turn and removed its code from distribution. 2 user comments
	Winamp released its source code - but didn't go open source (25 Sep 2024 12:38) The source code of Winamp has now been officially released. However, it hasn't become a pure open-source project, as its licensing terms prohibit the creation of new, different versions.
	Does your phone rattle? Here's why it happens (25 Aug 2024 8:30) When you shake your phone and hear a light rattle, clatter, or jingle, it's likely not broken. The culprit is probably the optical image stabilization (OIS) system in your phone's camera, meaning everything is functioning as it should. 2 user comments

	What IP rating for dust and water resistance means An IP classification (such as IP68) is given to mobile phones, Bluetooth speakers, and other devices, but what do these classifications mean? 1 user comment
	Does your phone rattle? Here's why it happens When you shake your phone and hear a light rattle, clatter, or jingle, it's likely not broken. The culprit is probably the optical image stabilization (OIS) system in your phone's camera, meaning everything is functioning as it should. 2 user comments
	GUIDE: Wi-Fi speeds are slow? Here are some tips Having problems with Wi-Fi speed and stability at home? Here are some tips to follow to alleviate the issues. 1 user comment
	Guide: Is Your Wi-Fi Sluggish or Slow? Here's How to Fix Do you have problems with you Wi-Fi? Slow connection or is it cutting off constantly? This guide aims to remedy these problems. 1 user comment
	What happens if you don't update Android? Sometimes it can be tempting to avoid updating to a new Android version. What happens if you decide to delay major updates to the OS?

Amazon to move away from Google Maps, as well?

6 user comments

Latest news

Reviews

Guides

News archive

Subscribe

Sections:

Follow us:

	Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra review - obstacle avoidance doesn't work as it should, otherwise almost perfect robot vacuum We put the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra through a very, very long review process. The $1800 mopping robot vacuum is almost perfect, but its obstacle avoidance was surprisingly bad, considering the price - and compared to its competitors.
	Sharge x OnePlus Pouch review: Beautiful power bank that supports SuperVOOC charging In our review, we take a look at Sharge's power bank that supports OnePlus SuperVOOC quick charging technology as well as standard USB PD charging. It has small design flaws, but despite those, the Pouch is very nice product. 1 user comment
	Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets Roomba Combo j7+ is the very first Roomba model to combine robot vacuum with mopping features. And Roomba Combo j7+ does all that with a very clever trick, which tackles the problem with mopping and carpets. But is it any good? We found out.