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Apple Maps Now Using 'Business Listings' Data From Foursquare

Monday November 16, 2015 8:48 am PST by Juli Clover
maps_icon_ios_7As of October, Foursquare has become one of the companies that contribute data to Apple's Maps app, providing information on "Business listings data." This likely includes details on restaurants, retail stores, and other venues, given Foursquare's focus on unearthing the "best places to eat, drink, shop, or visit in any city in the world.

Rumors about a data sharing deal between Foursquare and Apple first surfaced in 2012, but Apple Maps Marketing, a site that keeps an eye on Apple's Maps partners, notes that Foursquare was not added as a partner until October 22.

For those unfamiliar with Foursquare, it's essentially a Yelp competitor that helps people find nearby venues. Several years ago, Foursquare was popular as it had a built-in check-in feature that let people share the places they'd visited, but Foursquare has always had trouble securing revenue.

In 2014, Foursquare split its app into Foursquare, for local listings, and Swarm, its check-in app, which ended up being an unpopular decision. Since then, Foursquare has struggled to find its niche among competitors, so this data sharing deal with Apple could be a huge boon for the company.

Tags: Apple Maps, Foursquare
[ 71 comments ]


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ButteryScrollin
34 months ago

Google Maps. Need I say more?


Ads + Tracking, no thanks.
Rating: 22 Votes
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GavinSharp
34 months ago

Google Maps. Need I say more?

If your intent is to communicate something meaningful, yes.
Rating: 14 Votes
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Xavier
34 months ago
Always great to see Apple Maps become more and more useful!
Rating: 13 Votes
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duffman9000
34 months ago

Please do say more. Because for me Google Maps does not work. It does not integrate with any of my Apple products. I cannot click on an address in mail or safari and get it to launch google maps. so why Google Maps. I makes no sense unless I have an Android device, which itself would make no sense. :D


Blame Apple for the lack of integration. Apple does not allow users to choose default apps.
Rating: 10 Votes
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2457282
34 months ago

Google Maps. Need I say more?

Please do say more. Because for me Google Maps does not work. It does not integrate with any of my Apple products. I cannot click on an address in mail or safari and get it to launch google maps. so why Google Maps. It makes no sense unless I have an Android device, which itself would make no sense. :D
Rating: 9 Votes
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Jakexb
34 months ago
OH HECK YES. Foursquare data in a million times more accurate than Yelp. Plus, Yelp is a sleazy company.

So very happy to see this.
Rating: 8 Votes
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naeS1Sean
34 months ago

Ads + Tracking, no thanks.

I don't see any ads on Google Maps...
Rating: 5 Votes
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igorsky
34 months ago
I'd love to see them relying solely on Foursquare and get rid of Yelp.
Rating: 5 Votes
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NickD73
34 months ago
Google Maps. Need I say more?
Rating: 4 Votes
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sessamoid
34 months ago

I use Waze, there's really no other navigation app that gets you through traffic like it. Apple and Google both just give direct routes using main streets/highways. They both alert you to traffic, but don't really do anything to route you around it if there's a faster route .


This is not true of Apple Maps. While using it for navigation, I have had Apple Maps pop up an alert that there is traffic ahead, and offer to route me around it.

I have also noticed it automatically setting an initial route that is clearly not the shortest distance (route that I take frequently) due to traffic on that route.
Rating: 2 Votes

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