Amazon Developing Its Own Mapping Service

Amazon is developing its own mapping API, the retail giant announced Monday, just days before Apple is set to release its own mapping service to the public as part of iOS 6.

The announcement confirms earlier reports that Amazon had acquired 3D mapping application UpNext earlier this summer for that exact purpose.

Both Apple and Amazon, as well as third-party developers, have until recently relied on Google's Maps API to power location-based applications on iOS and Kindle Fire devices. Apple has also used a native Maps application powered by Google that will not make its way to iOS 6. Amazon's original Kindle Fire did not come pre-installed with any mapping application.

The move furt…
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