Apple Buys Transit App Maker Embark

Apple's location startup buying spree isn't over yet — the company has acquired transit company Embark for an undisclosed sum.

The news, firstreported by Jessica Lessin, comes about a month after the acquisition of another transit app, HopStop.

Embark currently has transit apps for 10 different transit systems in the App Store. The startup has received money from Y Combinator, SV Angel and BMW.

According to Lessin, Apple will integrate some of Embark's subway mapping technology into the next version of Apple Maps. Direct transit map integration is a feature Apple declined to add to the initial version of Apple Maps that launched last fall. Instead, Apple made it possible for users to open third-party apps (including HopStop and Embark) from the main mapping interface.

As someone who uses public transit every day, I can say that the de-coupling of built-in transit directions is one reason I almost always use Google Maps for iOS.

Apple has had a busy summer on the location acquisition front. In addition to HopStop and Embark, the company also acquired location data company Locationary.

When reached for comment, Apple gave Mashable its boiler-plate statement about acquisitions:

"Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

It's interesting that Apple would acquire Embark in addition to HopStop, given the similarity in purpose (and considering HopStop has a much larger user base and supports more transit systems). We look forward to seeing how this will impact Apple's future mapping plans.

What do you think of Apple's Embark acquisition? Let us know in the comments.

Source:http://mashable.com

Hopstop iOS App Gets Refresh After Apple Purchase

It's still unclear what Apple has in store for its recently acquired HopStop public transportation navigation service, but it looks like the iOS app isn't going away — at least for now.
An update for the iOS version of HopStop rolled out this weekend, bringing support for cities in the U.K., Germany, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Israel, as well as a new user interface and other helpful changes. Android users unfortunately did not get the same update, while the Windows Phone version was killed off shortly after the Apple purchase.
Hopstop for iOS version 2.6 now lets you report real-time delays, crowds, incidents, service changes, station closures, broken elevators, as well as suggestions and complaints. You can also save your home and work addresses from the Settings menu for easy access when you need directions.
For additional convenience, the app now lets you view your saved trips directly from the search screen, so you can more quickly access directions you call upon often. Plus, there's an updated user interface and new font, presumably to bring the app more in line with Apple's aesthetic.
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Apple purchased HopStop last week following an acquisition of the crowdsourced location data company Locationary. The move to purchase both companies is likely intended to boost Apple's struggling Maps product, which does not currently include public transportation information like bus, subway, and train schedules.
Following the acquisition, Apple quickly pulled the Windows Phone version of HopStop, causing some to worry about the future of other platforms. At this point, HopStop is still available for Android devices through the Google Play store. The updated iOS app is available in the App Store.
Launched in 2004, HopStop offers door-to-door transit, walking, biking, and taxi directions for more than 300 cities worldwide through its website and free mobile apps.
Source: http://www.pcmag.com