Around the Net
TomTom Replacing Google As Apple's Map Partner
- Engadget, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:06 AM
Back in May, Web watchers were buzzing about reports that Apple was planning to drop Google Maps as its default mapping service. At the time, word was that the next version of Apple’s iOS operating system would run an in-house map application. TomTom, however, has now confirmed that it has “signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information,” Engadget reports.
The deal represents a coup for TomTom, which sells digital direction devices, and was once seen as a likely casualty of Google’s free and increasingly popular mapping services. Already well acquainted with iOS, the company’s navigation app and car kit have been available on the iPhone since 2009, according to Engadget. “On an interesting note, the maps application specifically mentions "data from TomTom, others," which means there may be other suppliers that aren't getting called out by name, the tech blog notes.
As for Google’s map apps fell out of favor with Apple, analysts point to the search giant’s decision to add pricing to the service late last year. From that point, services and apps that generated more than 25,000 map loads per day were charged $40 to $100 for every additional 1,000 map loads.
