Following a report earlier today that Apple will include their own mapping system in iOS 6 (and thus dump Google Maps), John Paczkowski of AllThingsD has confirmed that the rumor is indeed true. And not only is Apple working on a new mapping system – and it’s apparently extremely impressive!
From AllThingsD:
Sources tell 9to5Mac that Apple will abandon Google’s mapping back-end in the next major iteration of iOS, replacing it with a brand-new mapping application powered by Apple technology. We’ve independently confirmed that this is indeed the case. Sources describe the new Maps app as a forthcoming tentpole feature of iOS that will, in the words of one, “blow your head off.”
Both 9to5Mac and AllThingsD are known for being well-connected in the goings-on at Apple, and the fact that John Paczkowski has stepped forward to confirm the rumor bodes well for its accuracy. AllThingsD correctly predicted the dates of both the iPhone 4S and ‘iPad 3’ events.
We’ll reportedly find more about what Apple has up their sleeve with iOS 6 and the new Maps app at Apple’s annual World-Wide Developer Conference, which is scheduled to take place from June 11-15. One more month of waiting!
