Apple might introduce its own map solutions in the final version of iOS 5 or maybe iOS 5.x. There is a new map data section in the iOS 5 legal disclaimer.
The Map Data section is pretty separate from the Google Map’s terms and it can not be a coincidence or a bug because companies do not overlap.
- CoreLogic – offers Parcel data which marks boundaries for of properties to provide positional accuracy in location-based solutions.
- Getchee – offers location and market data on China, India and Southeast Asia.
- Increment P Corp – provides location and traffic data for Japan.
- Localeze – provides local business listings.
- MapData Sciences Pty Ltd. Inc – provides mapping data for Australia and New Zealand.
- DMTI – provides postal code data for Canada.
- TomTom – offers global TeleAtlas mapping data which is also licensed by Google for their map solution.
- Urban Mapping – provides in-depth neighborhood data such as crime, demographics, school performance, economic indicators and more.
- Waze – offers real-time maps and traffic information based on crowd sourced data.
Apple has openly revealed that they are working on a traffic solutions for iOS users which leads to the rumor of a complete maps solutions to be true. On the other hand Apple has signed an agreement with Google to use Google Map in iOS 5. I think its because Apple Maps are not yet ready and Apple has to rely on Google Maps for now.
