Apple Acquires Coherent Navigation, a High-Precision GPS Firm, To Fine-tune It's Mapping Technology

Apple has acquired another mapping service Coherent Navigation that specializes in providing extremely precise navigation.

The startup offers in High Integrity GPS which differs from consumer-end GPS systems in that it uses data from multiple Iridium satellites to provide incredibly precise locations - accurate within centimeters.

As usual, confirming the deal, Apple said: "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans."

According to MacRumors, some of the Coherent's employees have recently made the move to Apple, suggesting that the acquisition could be for talent as well as their proprietary technology.

When Apple launched Maps with iOS 6, it became extremely infamous, credits to the inaccuracies that it contained. CEO Tim Cook had to pen an apology letter to Apple customers in 2012.

Just to mention, this isn't Apple's first acquisition of a mapping company. In 2009 it acquired Placebase followed by Hopstop, Locationary, and Embark.

Competition of location-based services has been intensifying recently. Reportedly, a coalition of German automakers has been competing with Uber to acquire Nokia Here, the digital mapping arm of Nokia.