Apple buys Canadian startup mapping service Locationary

Technology giant Apple Inc has acquired Canadian startup Locationary in order to beef up its glitch-prone mapping service that was criticised by its iPhone and iPad users.

Toronto-based Locationary, backed by Extreme Venture Partners and Plazacorp Ventures, is a data management company that provides local business places data for mobile and web content, search, daily deals and navigation apps.

Locationary's services include Data Origination, Data Cleaning, Publisher ID Mapping and Management of domestic and international local business places data in a secure cloud-based system called Saturn.

Apple did not disclose the acquisition, which was first reported by Canada's Globe and Mail and confirmed by Apple to technology blog AllThingsD.

Apple spokesman Steve Dowling confirmed the deal to AllThingsD by saying in a statement that the company typically releases when news of one of its acquisitions surfaces. ''Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans.''

Apple has criticised by users for dumping Google Maps from the last version of its iPhone and forced people to use its own proprietary mapping software.

But the app had several glitches with including places, major landmarks, bridges, roads and oceans were wrongly located and also showing weird directions to a sought location.

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple took the unprecedented step of apologising and promised to set the app right after pulling it out.