Linked List: September 26, 2012

Wednesday, 26 September 2012

John Paczkowski on the Apple-Google Maps Negotiations and Timing ★

Great reporting by John Paczkowski:

Apple pushed Google hard to provide the data it needed to bring voice-guided navigation to iOS. But according to people familiar with Google’s thinking, the search giant, which had invested massive sums in creating that data and views it as a key feature of Android, wasn’t willing to simply hand it over to a competing platform.

And if there were terms under which it might have agreed to do so, Apple wasn’t offering them. Sources tell AllThingsD that Google, for example, wanted more say in the iOS maps feature set. It wasn’t happy simply providing back-end data. It asked for in-app branding. Apple declined. It suggested adding Google Latitude. Again, Apple declined. And these became major points of contention between the two companies, whose relationship was already deteriorating for a variety of other reasons, including Apple’s concern that Google was gathering too much user data from the app.

Apple wanted turn-by-turn and vector map tiles. Google wanted more control over the Maps app, more branding, and more identifiable location data. So Apple moved. I’ll have more to say on the timing of all this a little later tonight.

RadioShack’s CEO Steps Down ★

The AP:

RadioShack said Wednesday that its CEO is leaving under an agreement with the board, the latest blow for the struggling electronics retailer.

Guess he never did figure it out.

Damned if You Do, Googled if You Don’t ★

Jean-Louis Gassée:

The ridicule that Apple has suffered following the introduction of the Maps application in iOS 6 is largely self-inflicted. The demo was flawless, 2D and 3D maps, turn-by-turn navigation, spectacular flyovers… but not a word from the stage about the app’s limitations, no self-deprecating wink, no admission that iOS Maps is an infant that needs to learn to crawl before walking, running, and ultimately lapping the frontrunner, Google Maps. Instead, we’re told that Apple’s Maps may be “the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever.”

Under-promise, over-deliver. Apple usually does a good job at that, but I agree with Gassée: they did not set expectations properly for the new Maps app.

MLB and Tickets.com Bet on Apple’s Passbook ★

Matthew Panzarino had a good experience using Passbook for tickets to a San Francisco Giants game:

As far as the experience goes, it was smooth for me. I received an email from Tickets.com with a confirmation of ticket purchase and the pass was loaded to Passbook at a tap. When at the park, it was redeemed by a ticket taker with a special scanner.

Passbook and Apple Retail Stores ★

Jordan Staniscia:

The thing is, why is Apple waiting for third parties? Apple owns retail locations — one of the types of businesses Passbook was built to support. Couldn’t it have given out iPhone 5 preorder slips or a coupon for an Apple TV to fill this ecosystem even a drip?

Or how about a coupon for a discounted Lightning adapter? Or gift cards?

‘Saving Android From a Second-Rate Future’ ★

Anil Dash, writing for Wired:

So unless your phone says “Nexus” on it, you’re not running true Android. And Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus, for example, accounts for just 0.5 percent of the smartphone market. It’s a safe bet that there are more people using jailbroken iPhones than Nexus phones. If I were a Google engineer who’d poured his time and effort into the beautiful Android 4.1, aka Jelly Bean, I’d be pissed.

Good piece; he makes a strong case for why the total “Android” platform lacks cohesion. But this is one of those pieces where the good stuff is in the comments.

What’s the Deal With Passbook? ★

Erica Ogg:

Burning question I have to ask: what is up with Apple’s Passbook app? Since its unveiling at WWDC, it was one of the things I looked forward to most in iOS 6. As a frequent traveler and someone who detests printing things out, I love the idea of storing digital tickets, boarding passes and rewards cards in one place on my phone. But after using it for the first time Sunday, I’m left feeling mostly perplexed and a little let down.

“What am I supposed to do with this?” is not something you usually ask about an Apple product. Its potential is great and I do think Passbook will get better, but right now it’s mostly waiting for support from third-parties.