A report released Monday says that Apple’s newly redesigned Maps app in iOS 6 will feature the ability for users to check-in with the location based social service Yelp.
Citing materials distributed to Apple software developers, Bloomberg reported on Monday that users will be able to post information to Yelp without exiting the Maps application and opening separate software. The documents provided to developers include screenshots of Yelp check-ins within the Apple Maps application.
At the unveiling of iOS 6 earlier this month, Apple noted the integrated support for Yelp would be part of its map software. They displayed detailed user reviews on Yelp, but did not go into any other possible features of the service, such as check-ins, that might be supported.
Integration with Apple’s Maps app could allow Yelp to challenge similar services offered by apps such as Foursquare and Facebook. Using GPS and location services, apps such as these allow users to share their location with friends and other approved users.
Apple is making major changes in their Maps app as of iOS 6, as they are dropping Google’s mapping service in favor of a home-grown solution. The new application has been built from the ground up, and includes built-in Siri integration, turn-by-turn navigation, 3D mapping technology, and real-time, crowd-sourced traffic data.