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Apple pulls in TomTom, kicks Google off iPhones

iOS 6 Maps app uses TomTom's cartographical database

Buried among the data in Apple's new iOS is a win for TomTom, which will be providing the maps for iPhone-navigators.

Apple is ditching Google Maps, as expected, and providing its own mapping service on its iWare, which will come from TomTom's TeleAtlas database.

Eagle-eyed fanbois spotted the C of TomTom in screen grabs from iOS 6 and the cartography service itself later verified the deal.

"TomTom has signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information," the satnav firm said in a canned statement, though naturally it's not interested in giving any further details at all.

Having dumped Google, Apple was left with two possible databases: TomTom's TeleAtlas or its biggest rival, Nokia's Navteq. Given that Apple is already in a relationship with another tech firm which is both a supplier and nemesis – Samsung for chips and Galaxy gear – it's probably no surprise that the fruity firm decided to go with a firm with which it has no conflicts.

The iOS 6 was announced at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco yesterday evening and featured Siri updates and Facebook integration as well as the shiny new Maps app. ®

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