Apple has its own maps app which is referred to as Maps. Microsoft also has its own which is called Bing Maps. However, Google Maps seems to be the most popular of all as it is available on more devices than the others. Now, Huawei Technologies Co. has announced that it will launch its own mapping service, called Map Kit, in October.

It is no surprise that Huawei wants to create its own mapping service seeing as the US ban means it can’t load Google services which includes Google Maps on its smartphones.

Map Kit won’t be available directly for consumer use according to the source. Instead, it is designed for developers to build applications that take advantage of its mapping capabilities.

The service will be developed in partnership with Russia’s Yandex and US travel website, Booking Holdings. It will be connected to local mapping services, be available in 40 languages, and will have coverage in 150 countries and regions. Huawei will be able to leverage on its telecom base stations across several countries to complement satellite positioning for its mapping service.

Map Kit will provide real-time traffic conditions, a highly advanced navigation system that can recognize when a car switches between lanes, and also have support for AR mapping said Zhang Pigan, the president of cloud services at Huawei Consumer Business Group.

Huawei mentioned Map Kit back at its developer conference last week. It is one of its planned Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). The others include Site Kit, Location Kit, Drive Kit, and Scan Kit e.t.c.

(Source)

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