Intermap Brings Terrain Data to the Masses on the iPhone
Monday, Intermap will announce its AccuTerra applications for the iPhone. The company is well known in the geospatial industry as the source of NextMap Britain and NextMap USA, two nationwide detailed topographic datasets collected using synthetic aperture radar (corrected per comment - originally said LiDAR). Aerial imagery is collected at the same time. Most of that data has been sold (on spec or later) to national mapping agencies and defense interests, though some has made it into car navigation use and higher-end ruggedized GPS units for backcountry enthusiasts.
The AccuTerra application for the iPhone is not aimed at any of those uses, but rather at individuals with more casual “off road” adventures such as cross country skiing, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, hiking and snowmobiling. The application includes not only topography data, but also Intermap-collected data for trails, land management boundaries, hydrology and other important layers needed to safely and legally enjoy these sorts of activities. 
The application is unlike other navigation apps in that it does not depend on streaming data to the iPhone. Instead, each app (there will eventually be 64 to cover the U.S. with the exception of Alaska) installs between 200 and 400Mb of data onto the phone. That means that should you lose cell service (likely in the backcountry) the data is still available.
In addition to being a reference map for adventure, the app also allows for easy route capture during a hike. Further, photos taken along the way are stored on the phone and the entire route and images can be easily upload to be shared via Google Maps or Google Earth, Facebook or e-mail. While it’s possible to do this sort of data capture and sharing with other apps, Kevin Thomas, the VP of marketing at Intermap assured me this solution is very simple, just like everything about the iPhone and AppStore.
The real story for geospatial here is the expansion of the marketplace for specialized datasets like Intermap’s from geospatial professionals to consumers. The first datasets to make the leap were the navigation datasets from Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ. Then MapQuest, Google and other mapping portals put satellite and aerial imagery into consumer hands. Microsoft put Pictometry’s oblique imagery into the consumer realm. And, now detailed, up to date topographic data is making the leap. Thomas is quick to agree the use of the AccuTerra app may be less frequent than tapping to driving directions, as hikers may only be out once or twice a month. Still, he suggests, the price point and convenience of having the data on a small, elegant device that’s already in hand (or pocket) makes such an app all the more compelling.
The other noteworthy aspect to this launch is that unlike virtually all the crossovers from the professional to consumer realm noted above, this application is delivered directly from Intermap. The company did not license the data to a third-party. Further, Intermap did not even license data from other data providers to round out its offering with other data layers. This is an all Intermap play, at least for now.
Even as the the first iPhone AccuTerra app is being announced, Thomas is looking ahead. The upcoming release of OS 3.0 will offer some interesting enhancements. The internal compass could be useful for navigating when GPS is unavailable. Also, expected with the iPhone OS 3, is the ability for app developers to sell apps in small bits, something called “side loading.” That means books could be sold by the chapter and large datasets in smaller chunks. Thomas envisions 99 cent AccuTerra apps down the road. Also expected: support for other smartphones/operating systems such as Android and RIM/Blackberry.
