Apple has acquired a new startup company Embark for an undisclosed amount. Embark is a transit app maker with 10 different transit apps in App store. Embark has many localized transit apps for cities like New York, San Francisco, and London.
Apple has plans to integrate Embark’s subway mapping technology into the next version of Apple Maps.
Apple’s spokesperson confirmed to Jessica Lessin, “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.”
Embark is one of those apps which got popularity after the launch of Apple Maps. Embark saw huge number of downloads just after the launch for iOS platform. Embark gets funding from various Silicon Valley investors including Y Combinator, SV Angel and BMW Group.
Apple faced criticism when it launched Apple maps due to mapping errors. Apple knows that Google Map is a key player in mapping. So, it will have to work hard in technology. This is the reason, Apple is trying to acquire more and more startup who have good mapping based technology. Earlier, Apple has also acquired HopStop and Locationary. We hope to see better version of Apple Maps in near future.
