Other than possibly finding the Loch Ness monster, there aren’t many good reasons to use Apple Maps instead of Google Maps. However, a recent acquisition reported by TechCrunch might actually change that. According to TechCrunch’s sources, Apple has purchased Spotsetter, a social search application that could help Apple add some interesting new features to its oft-ridiculed Maps application on the iPhone.
As TechCrunch describes it, Spotsetter is “a social search engine” that uses “big data to offer personalized recommendations as to places to go” wherever you are. What makes Spotsetter such a cool idea is that it essentially pulls in data from leading social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Instagram to show you places your friends have visited or have reviewed to give you an idea of whether a particular place is worth your time.
We’d assume that this is a pretty recent acquisition since Apple never mentioned either it or Apple Maps at WWDC this year. However, we’ll definitely be on the lookout for any Spotsetter-like features that roll out with future iOS Maps updates.
