Apple Using OpenStreetMap Data in iPhoto for iOS

Following the launch of Apple’s iPhoto for iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch application, several reports noted that the mapping integration into the software was not Google-based. With Apple working on an in-house iOS maps product for the last couple of years, Daring Fireball's John Gruber later clarified that maps for Photo Journals and slideshows were coming directly from Apple.

The OpenStreetMap Foundation has now issued a blog post revealing that Apple is using at least some of its mapping data for these features, although it does note that Apple is using outdated mapping data and is not crediting appropriately for its usage.

The new iPhoto for iOS, however, uses Apple’s own map tiles – made from OpenStreetMap data (outside the US). [...]

The OSM data that Apple is using is rather old (start of April 2010) so don’t expect to see your latest and greatest updates on there. It’s also missing the necessary credit to OpenStreetMap’s contributors; we look forward to working with Apple to get that on there.

The tiles are coming from Apple’s servers but they aren’t Apple’s own in-house data.  Apple has relied on Google Maps on its iOS devices since the launch of the original iPhone in 2007, but has expressed interest in moving away from Google. Toward that end, Apple acquired a 3D Mapping company called C3 Technologies and several small companies including Placebase, Poly9.