WiFiSlam: Apple buys tech company in bid to develop indoor mapping Apple tried to play down speculation of its plans with the acquisition, releasing a statement saying: "Apple acquires smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans." Its service also draws data from nearby Wi-Fi hotspots and signal towers to pinpoint location in a way which is more accurate than satellite positioning. Apple has long been playing catch-up with Google in mapping. Last year it faced a barrage of criticism over omissions and errors in its new Maps app for the iPhone, which it created to replace Google Maps in the newly-released iOS6. The new Maps app often displayed shops and restaurants streets away from their true location, important sites including some train stations are missing, and the search function appears unable to understand simple requests. At the time, industry observers suggested the misstep was the most serious made by Apple for many years. Some questioned if the Maps app would have been released in that state under the firm's meticulous founder Steve Jobs, who died in 2011. He guided Apple through a decade of huge success on the back of the iPod, iPhone and iPad.