Apple may be looking to Foursquare for data-sharing deal

One complaint often voiced by users of Apple's iOS Maps app is that it doesn't have a very good POI (point of interest) database. That issue may become a thing of the past, as Apple is apparently in early discussions with Foursquare Labs to provide local data about businesses and restaurants.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Apple Senior Vice President Eddy Cue has met with Foursquare execs over the last few weeks. Apple is reportedly talking with a number of companies that have captured POI information in order to provide more accurate and useful information in the Maps app.

If you're unfamiliar with Foursquare, it was one of the first apps to allow users to "check in" at local businesses. As a result of all of those check-ins, Foursquare has built a huge database not only of locations, but of the relative popularity of those locations and of user-generated tips.

Any deal between the two companies could not only help Apple fix some of the issues with the Maps app, but also provide a boost to Foursquare. The company's fortunes have fallen flat lately as competitors like Facebook add similar check-in functionality to their apps.

[via MacRumors]