Apple acquires WifiSLAM for $20 million
Apple has purchased indoor-GPS company WifiSLAM for around $20 million, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The Silicon Valley-based startup develops ways for mobile apps to detect a phone user’s location in a building using Wi-Fi signals. WifiSLAM have been marketing the technology to app developers for indoor mapping and new types of retail and social networking apps.
An Apple spokesman confirmed the deal saying the company “buys smaller technology companies from time to time” and generally doesn’t discuss its plans.
Last year, Apple unveiled its own mapping service, however users were quick to complain about inaccurate data with Apple chief executive Tim Cook apologising for the poor quality of the product.
Meanwhile, tech rival Google already offers indoor mapping in places such as airports and shopping centres.