Apple SKY

As we noted earlier this week as part of our roundup of device compatibility for various iOS 6 features, several of Apple’s new mapping features including Flyover and turn-by-turn navigation are not officially supported on the iPhone 4, much less the iPhone 3GS.

But as reported by SlashGear, a member of Russian site iguides has posted videos [Google translation] showing the 3D maps and Flyover working on a jailbroken iPhone 4. The poster has also included instructions for adding the functionality, although the procedure is not yet a completely straightforward one.

Apple has historically placed hardware restrictions on certain features of its iOS release, based at least in part on how well older hardware handles the specific features. In other cases like Siri on the iPhone 4S, Apple’s limitations may have more to do with differentiation and marketing. But it seems reasonable to think that 3D map performance on the pre-A5 devices like the iPhone 4 simply doesn’t meet Apple’s requirements, and thus the company has elected not to officially support the feature on that hardware.

Regardless of the reasons for Apple’s limitations on mapping features, hackers and developers will undoubtedly continue working on ways to circumvent those restrictions, and we will likely see other features like turn-by-turn navigation also come to older devices for those willing to tweak their devices to enable them.

Yup. Definitely a hardware limitation. :rolleyes:

Just like there’s no valid reason for Apple to disable VIP mailboxes on the 3GS.

There is no reason why iPhone 4 shouldn’t support 3D maps.

Apple, if you won’t give it, we’ll take it from you!

But it seems reasonable to think that 3D map performance on the pre-A5 devices like the iPhone 4 simply doesn’t meet Apple’s requirements, and thus the company has elected not to officially support the feature on that hardware.

But yet the video shows it working quite well, so it seems equally as reasonable to think that Apple is once again limiting these features purely for marketing reasons.

Did not needed a russian hacker to figure this one out…

If you’re still using an iPhone 3GS and complaining that it’s not going to support maps, you’ve got some issues. That phone is over 3 years old. Time to move on. I’m stinkin’ surprised the battery still holds a decent charge at this point. People just want everything for nothing. If you want more features, upgrade! You can’t be under contract with a 3GS. Sell it for $100 and buy a 4S…it’s not that expensive!

You do realize the 3GS is currently being sold by apple?

http://store.apple.com/ca/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone3gs

Finally!!

Please stop it. You’re ruining apple’s plan to come up with reasons to upgrade from the 4!

Sincerely,

Tim Cook

Because you lost street view?:confused:

Street view is a total gimmick! How could not having it ruin the whole iOS experience to the point you wish you never installed it? Just curious.

Thought not completely necessary, I happen to find Street View quite useful on occasion. Gimmicks are asking Siri to answer jokes.