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Apple has bought a Canadian startup called Locationary in an apparent bid to beef up its own mapping service.

After a disastrous rollout of its crap map app service last year, Apple has been working overtime to sort out its own satnav-like software.

Locationary maintains and updates a regularly updated database of where one can find businesses and points of interest. It could therefore offer Apple Maps a clear advantage when it comes to allowing fanbois to pinpoint the nearest latte maker, massage parlour or Genius Bar.

It is understood Apple gobbled the upstart's development team as well as the company, although there is no news on how much the fruity firm paid.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling confirmed the acquisition to AllThingsD. “Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,” he said in a statement.

Just under a year ago Grant Ritchie, CEO of Locationary, wrote an article advising Apple on five things it need to do in order to improve its mapping service. Now he's a Cupertino employee. ®

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