Apple seems to dislike Google’s footprint in the mobile game with extensive embedding of its services on the iPhone. Youtube and Maps are two native apps on the iPhone that are backed by Google and then there are around a dozen other services that are optimized for the iPhone browser, these include Gmail, Google search, news, adsense, reader etc.
Apple is either miffed at over customization of Google apps or perhaps it wants to make some extra $ for itself using the Maps functionality which Google is now using to display ads. A recent job posting on Apple’s site reveals that they are on a lookout for an executive to rework their Maps offerings and take it to ‘the next level’. This is likely to use the technology that Apple acquired in the form of PlaceBase earlier this year.
PlaceBase had survived Google Maps and provided good value with its approach of uniquely integrating public and private data content. PlaceBase founder Jaron Waldman currently is in the Geo Team at Apple according to his LinkedIn profile. The question is does Apple has something better than the Google Navigation for the iPhone?