We all know Waze is getting paid for allowing Apple to use its traffic data in the Maps app of iOS6. And they should, i think it’s a good move.
My question for debate is this: Is Waze getting traffic data from all those iPhone users using the iOS6 Maps app?
So, Apple is getting info from Waze users for traffic, but is Waze getting traffic info from all the new users of iOS6?
We have no confirmation on what apple is getting from waze. It’s unlikely it’s traffic data(i’ve compared them and they rarely line up). It’s been thrown around that it’s probably map data for Israel or just patent licenses.
You don’t need to be running Maps to have Apple gathering your traffic data. They’ve been doing that at the OS level since the release of iOS5.
What does your post have to do with this topic? I don’t care if Apple is getting their own traffic data. I’m making a statement that claims if Apple is getting traffic data from Waze (which accounts for more than just iPhone traffic), then Waze should get traffic from iPhone users, even if they aren’t using Waze.
I doubt that Waze is getting any data from people not running Waze. If it was gathering location data just from idle iPhones as apple claims it does, the traffic data would be extremely polluted by people walking or sitting in parked cars, or even lounging by the pool.
The Waze data gathering relies on the client only being run by people who are actively driving, which occasionally gets messed up by people forgetting to shut it down or using it in ways other than intended, such as walking or riding a bike or train. But for the most part, it’s used by active drivers, and that’s why it works so well.
I’d have to assume Apple collects moving data as well. I don’t see traffic building up on every side street in every subdivision because people sit on their map app in their living rooms.
I would like to think that as part of their licencing agreement, Waze gets to use Apple’s aggregated traffic data as well.