Will Apple replace Google Maps in iOS 5?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Google, Rumors

Apple could be ditching Google Maps in favor of its own navigation software in iOS 5.

MacRumors uncovered a new section in the legal disclaimers section of iOS 5 called "Map Data" that references several different third-party mapping and naviation companies such as CoreLogic, Getchee, Localeze, and TomTom, among others.

It wouldn't be much of a shock if Apple ditched Google Maps and launched its own mapping service. In recent years, Apple has snapped up a couple of mapping companies, Placebase and Poly9. Apple has also been hiring engineers with mapping and navigation experience to join the iOS team. On top of that, when Apple responded to the outpouring of media scrutiny about iPhone location tracking in April, the company revealed it was creating its own traffic database.

But Apple is still using Google Maps for now, and Google's former CEO Eric Schmidt said last month at the D9 conference that Google "just renewed [its] Map and Search agreements with Apple."

Reports of an Apple-powered mapping service have been circulating for quite some time. Last month, 9to5Google attempted to quash the rumors, claiming while "Apple is working to improve the iOS Maps application, iOS 5 will not bring an Apple developed maps service and Google Maps is still in."

MacRumors speculates that Apple is actively working on its own mapping solution, but it's possible that it's not ready for iOS 5, meaning consumers will have to wait a while to see what it would look like.

Apple showed a preview of iOS 5 earlier this month at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It includes more than 500 new features including a notification center, over-the-air updates, a new messaging solution, and AirPlay mirroring, among other goodies. iOS 5 will be released to customers this fall.

This article, written by Leslie Horn, originally appeared on PCMag.com and is republished on Gear Live with the permission of Ziff Davis, Inc.