Apple Maps app is powered by TomTom

posted by Nick T. / Jun 12, 2012, 4:47 AM

In what is surely among the shortest press releases in recent history, TomTom announced that it has partnered up with Apple. "TomTom has signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information. No further details of the agreement will be provided", the release states. Talk about secrecy. Of course, the reason behind this partnership is Apple's new Maps application, which will replace Google Maps in iOS 6. While most of the technology behind the new app is courtesy of Apple, apparently, TomTom will be providing the map data.

The Maps application that will debut in iOS 6 is a free tool that features turn-by-turn navigation, along with real-time traffic information. Furthermore, it is powered by Siri, so instead of fiddling with buttons and menus, users will simply need to speak the required directions out loud. There is a 3D mode as well called Flyover, which delivers a detailed, bird's eye view of cities, much like what we have seen in Google Maps.

But the Maps app is just one of the many features that have been implemented in iOS 6. To read more about the rest, check out our WWDC 2012 and iOS 6 coverage.

source: TomTom via SlashGear

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9 Comments

1. mercorp

Posts: 1045; Member since: Jan 28, 2012

gold-digger?

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 5:18 AM 0

2. KissyQueeny

Posts: 17; Member since: Jun 12, 2012

If the new maps app is entirely powered by Siri, then, how will the users whose language isn't yet supported by Siri, be able to use it? I'd prefer it had the Siri as well as the menus and buttons option.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 5:47 AM 4

3. dickwyn

Posts: 621; Member since: May 07, 2012

its supported by most of the main languages now. should cover more when iOS 6 launches

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 7:46 AM 1

5. KissyQueeny

unfortunately, I'm not from a country where such a "main" language is spoken. Plus, if Siri ever speaks Croatian, I don't believe it will do it as smoothly and correctly as it does English. So, until they update Siri, the maps app will remain useless for many croats (for example)...

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 9:12 AM 1

6. OMHwhoGIVesAF

Posts: 1; Member since: Jun 12, 2012

OMG than don't buy it than... DUH!!!! nobody cares if YOUR language is supported or not

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 11:15 AM 1

7. KissyQueeny

Ignorant douche. You make it sound as if only one language wasn't supported... NOBODY cares? And who do you think you are? Everybody? Everybody who doesn't speak one of the few "main" languages will clearly agree with me.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 5:06 PM 0

4. lzsbleach

Posts: 155; Member since: May 20, 2012

Damm TomTom Is one of the best GPS money can buy, so that means the GPS on the iphone is going to be real good.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 8:28 AM 3

8. sprockkets

Posts: 1612; Member since: Jan 16, 2012

...unless it keeps telling people to keep to the right every 400 yards. btw google maps accepts input via voice as well, and so do most new gps'es, big deal.

posted on Jun 12, 2012, 9:24 PM 0

9. miguel6632

Posts: 21; Member since: May 25, 2012

tom tom its hurting i guess later they will get bought out by apple but we will see. i ave a tom tom in my car and i always use my android navigation its just way more accurate