Apple, Google up ante in maps battle

Google and Apple are in a race to produce aerial maps so detailed they can show up objects just four inches wide, reports said.

Google has already sent planes over cities while Apple has acquired a firm using spy-in-the-sky technology that has been tested on at least 20 locations, including London.

Apple is escalating the feud between two of the world's most influential companies by dumping Google's mapping service as a built-in feature on most iPhones and iPads.

Google's mapping service will be replaced by an Apple-designed alternative when the new software for mobile devices, iOS 6, is released this fall.

Currently, there are already 3D maps available online for most big city centres, but the images are often low resolution. (With IANS inputs)