Geoff Duncan for Digital Trends:
The fees to use Google Maps probably aren’t what’s starting to put off companies like Foursquare and Apple — it’s probably the ever-increasing reach of Google’s advertising efforts.
Google Maps isn’t part of the new iPhoto for iOS – it’s using OpenStreetMaps data instead.
They are probably just using the OpenStreetMaps as a temporary placeholder for future fully Apple owned map software. From what I read, the guys at OpenStreetMaps said they are using an old version from 2010 (and that it wasn’t properly attributed) …it’s not like Apple to do things half-assed, or use old data. We’ll probably see an update in the next year that changes iOS maps globally.
I sure hope so. Besides the maps being terribly drab looking, their accuracy leaves something to be desired. I am writing that from a desk that is approx. 20 miles into the Arabian sea now (and not at the beach looking onto it).
Sounds like the opening of a Monty Python episode to me. You’re John Cleese, aren’t you?