TomTom Confirms Mapping Deal with Apple - MacRumors
Skip to Content

TomTom Confirms Mapping Deal with Apple

by

While Apple has worked hard to build its in-house mapping expertise, the company still needs to rely on some outside partners to assist it with the massive project of developing its own mapping and turn-by-turn navigation services. A number of observers noted references to "TomTom and others" in various locations within Apple's new Maps app for iOS 6, and now the mapping company has confirmed in a brief press release that it has indeed struck a deal with Apple.

TomTom has signed a global agreement with Apple for maps and related information. No further details of the agreement will be provided.

ios 6 maps tomtom
The Associated Press noted earlier today that TomTom's stock was up 12% on the news, with it now approaching gains of 15% for the day.

(Thanks to Travis for the image!)

Top Rated Comments

basesloaded190 Avatar
188 months ago
Hopefully this will settle the tension people have with maps not being as good as google's. I think TomTom has a pretty good mapping database.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
I used the maps this morning. It was pretty good...of course it had bugs, but its definitely good to say this is Apple's first go at Maps.

Its going to be even better on that larger iPhone screen.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
As people move away from dedicated GPS units and towards smartphones, it's smart of TomTom to pair up with the most successful phone maker/app platform out there. Their services are still useful, but it's good of them not to tie their fate to dedicate GPS units.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
Are maps being stored on the phone, or are they downloaded as they are needed? I see the latter as a big limitation as I often find myself in areas with limited cell coverage, and therefore unable to use the map program. I believe the new version of Google Maps will have a feature where it downloads a whole region to the phone so you can use it even when you have a poor connection. I hope Apple's app will have a similar feature.

I used the maps this morning. It was pretty good...of course it had bugs, but its definitely good to say this is Apple's first go at Maps.

Its going to be even better on that larger iPhone screen.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
188 months ago
What TomTom brings is excellent traffic data, which they charge an annual subscription for within their app; which is now included in iOS6. That's money right there.

charge?? I get TomTom map updates and have't pay for them at all. I just paid for the app and that's it.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
188 months ago
The good thing about this setup is that Apple can add, improve or replace services as needed in the background as they wish.
I would expect seeing new functionality in the Mapping app every once in a while.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

apple pro tell logo

Apple Launching Five New Products This Friday

Monday November 2, 2026 1:22 am PST by
Apple is releasing five new products this Friday, November 6, following pre-orders that opened last week, including its first touchscreen MacBook Pro models. The following new products will be available from Friday: iPad mini with OLED display and A20 Pro chip iMac with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with M6 chip 14-inch MacBook Pro with OLED touchscreen 16-inch MacBook Pro with OLED...
iPhone Duo Display Cracking

Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue

Friday October 30, 2026 3:20 pm PDT by
In a memo shared with Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers this week, and later obtained by MacRumors, Apple provided technicians with guidance on how to diagnose and address the iPhone Duo's inner display cracking issue. If a customer reports the issue, Apple advised technicians to inspect the iPhone Duo and repair or replace it in accordance with their standard procedures....
Apple Logo Gradient 16x9 1

Apple Isn't Done With 2026: Here's What's Still Coming

Monday November 2, 2026 7:27 am PST by
Apple's busiest season isn't over yet. Far from it. With two hardware launch dates still to come in November, plus software updates and new smart home accessories running into December, there's more on the way from Apple before the end of 2026, so be sure to stick around. Below, we've rounded up what's still coming, along with one date in particular that's worth watching if you're a holiday...
Latest Stories
iPhone Jailbreak Gets Past Lockdown Mode and Survives an Update
iPhone Jailbreak Gets Past Lockdown Mode and Survives an Update
44 minutes ago
iPadOS 27.3 Expands Siri Mode to Camera App
iPadOS 27.3 Expands Siri Mode to Camera App
2 hours ago
Veterans Day Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launches November 11
Veterans Day Apple Watch Activity Challenge Launches November 11
3 hours ago
Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals: Save Hundreds on MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and More
Best Early Black Friday Mac Deals: Save Hundreds on MacBook Air, Mac Mini, and More
3 hours ago
Apple Fitness+ Gets Gym Strength Plans in iOS 27.3
Apple Fitness+ Gets Gym Strength Plans in iOS 27.3
3 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Adding New StandBy Mode Features to iPhone 11 and Newer
iOS 27.3 Adding New StandBy Mode Features to iPhone 11 and Newer
4 hours ago
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
Apple Releases New AirPods Beta Firmware
4 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Beta Brings Apple Intelligence to China
iOS 27.3 Beta Brings Apple Intelligence to China
4 hours ago
iPhone Duo Gets Reachability in iOS 27.3 Beta
iPhone Duo Gets Reachability in iOS 27.3 Beta
4 hours ago
Siri AI Gets More Capable in iOS 27.3
Siri AI Gets More Capable in iOS 27.3
4 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Adds Vertical Tabs and Adaptive Dark Mode to Safari
iOS 27.3 Adds Vertical Tabs and Adaptive Dark Mode to Safari
4 hours ago
watchOS 27.3 Brings Live Rewind and Siri Recap to Apple Watch
watchOS 27.3 Brings Live Rewind and Siri Recap to Apple Watch
4 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Beta Brings Back Apple's Redesigned Health App
iOS 27.3 Beta Brings Back Apple's Redesigned Health App
5 hours ago
Apple Releases First macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Beta
Apple Releases First macOS Golden Gate 27.3 Beta
5 hours ago
Apple Seeds First iOS 27.3 Beta
Apple Seeds First iOS 27.3 Beta
5 hours ago
Apple Releases First watchOS 27.3, tvOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3 Betas
Apple Releases First watchOS 27.3, tvOS 27.3 and visionOS 27.3 Betas
5 hours ago
iPad Mini 8 Reviewer Dissatisfied With Apple's Excuse for Lack of 120Hz Display
iPad Mini 8 Reviewer Dissatisfied With Apple's Excuse for Lack of 120Hz Display
5 hours ago
iPad Mini 8 Review Claims Battery Life is Way Better Than Apple Says
iPad Mini 8 Review Claims Battery Life is Way Better Than Apple Says
6 hours ago
B&H Photo Launches Early Black Friday Sale With Discounts on Macs and Accessories
B&H Photo Launches Early Black Friday Sale With Discounts on Macs and Accessories
6 hours ago
iPhone Duo Could Take Nearly 30% of Foldable Market in 2027
iPhone Duo Could Take Nearly 30% of Foldable Market in 2027
6 hours ago
Apple Watch Automatically Identifies Songs Playing Around You
Apple Watch Automatically Identifies Songs Playing Around You
7 hours ago
iPhone 18 Rumored to Get Larger Battery and Potential Price Increase
iPhone 18 Rumored to Get Larger Battery and Potential Price Increase
7 hours ago
Apple Store in UK Permanently Closing Later This Month
Apple Store in UK Permanently Closing Later This Month
7 hours ago
Apple's Annual R&D Spending Jumps by More Than $11 Billion
Apple's Annual R&D Spending Jumps by More Than $11 Billion
9 hours ago
Will Apple Ever Merge iPadOS and macOS? John Ternus Responds
Will Apple Ever Merge iPadOS and macOS? John Ternus Responds
9 hours ago
MacBook Neo Gets Rare $30 Amazon Discount
MacBook Neo Gets Rare $30 Amazon Discount
9 hours ago
Hands-On: The OLED iPad Mini is Almost an iPad Pro Mini
Hands-On: The OLED iPad Mini is Almost an iPad Pro Mini
9 hours ago
tvOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1 Likely Coming Soon
tvOS 27.2.1 and macOS 27.2.1 Likely Coming Soon
9 hours ago
MKBHD Switches Back to iPhone 18 Pro After Testing iPhone Duo
MKBHD Switches Back to iPhone 18 Pro After Testing iPhone Duo
10 hours ago
Apple Explores Cheaper Way to Make New MacBook Pro's OLED Tech
Apple Explores Cheaper Way to Make New MacBook Pro's OLED Tech
11 hours ago