Rumor: Apple maintaining Google Maps service in iOS 5
updated 07:20 pm EDT, Fri May 27, 2011
Information contradicts recent reports
Despite recent reports suggesting Apple is moving to develop its own mapping service for iOS, separate sources now claim the company is planning to rely on Google Maps for iOS 5. The unnamed informant told 9to5Google the company is planning to continue improving the iOS Maps application, however an Apple=developed alternative is not said to be ready for the next major revision to the mobile OS.
The iPhone maker appears to be hiring new team members to work on the Maps app in iOS. Several acquisitions, including Placebase and Poly9, have added to the speculation that an in-house app is being created to replace Google Maps on the platform.
It remains unclear if Apple is still working to make significant improvements to the iOS Maps app, which has so far received relatively minor tweaks since its debut.
