Apple Purchase Online Mapmaker PlaceBase.

Apple has been working under the radar acquiring online mapping developers PlaceBase. It has emerged the purchase was finalised in July and it is only that information is starting to trickle out into the public domain. Speculation is now plentiful on the possibility that Apple are now in a position to develop mapping and geo-location apps without the need to have any collaboration with Google. PlaceBase has the advantage of being a little more sophisticated that Google Maps, with more customisation the acquisition could prove to be a move to compete head on with one time collaborators Google. The number of apps that could be developed for the iPhone, iTouch, as well as desktop and laptop apps including search, sat nav, geo targeted search and advertising will add a new direction in Apple's on-going strategy. The TomTom iPhone dock resently launched may not be as applealing once Apple deliver there own brand sat nav solution.