My reasoning is simple: everything Google does has the goal of collecting more data. Therefore they are interested in having maps on the iPhone. The iPhone bein

My reasoning is simple: everything Google does has the goal of collecting more data. Therefore they are interested in having maps on the iPhone. The iPhone being popular as it is, not collecting data from it's users is a huge black data hole. I think Apple already kicked the Google search as default (another thing that might factor into your sleuthing?)? If they were sure that Apple would always stick with Google search and maps, they wouldn't need Android (which they give away for free). They give away Android for free, so they are not really that interested in shipping lots of Android phones - it is the same to them if an Android phone ships or an iPhone with Google search and maps. Of course since Apple wants to get away from Google, Google needs Android to stay relevant in mobile search. It's true, they probably won't give maps for free (I remember Nokia paid several billion dollars for their maps, so these things are not cheap), but I suspect ads on the device would have been sufficient (plus the data that comes with it - movement patterns as well as reactivity to ads). Why would they need more? iPhone users could always check Google Maps in the browser (ad supported), why would it cost more to show the maps in a nice app? Do you actually think Google upped the price? Apple had announced quite a while ago that they want to kick Google maps, iirc. I can see why they are unhappy, they miss the data, the ad revenue and the freedom to add features at will. So it seems to me Google had all reasons to be content with the status quo, whereas Apple had all reasons to kick the maps. If they upped the price, how come Google Maps are still available on iOS 5? That must hurt Apple a lot, given that there are already millions of iOS 5 devices around. (I think GMaps are still available on iOS 5 because a friend of mine downgraded to iOS 5 to get the maps back). I find it funny that you describe your approach as "what a good inspector would do". I think it is very easy to find arguments or data points to support something your want to believe. In my opinion a good inspector should always doubt everything. But you have me there - of course I can not prove anything either. It's just funny how suddenly it is all Google's fault in the eye of the Apple fans. Naturally Apple can never go wrong, case closed. Apple has never shown any signs of hubris before. Also, btw, while Apple is apparently richer than Google, I don't think Google needs cash that badly. What they need is data and a handhold on devices to secure their future. Obviously once Apple has established their own maps, Google maps are never coming back to the iPhone. So to gamble that away doesn't make sense at all. And another point: what about Bing maps, or Nokia maps? Why didn't Apple partner with them if all they want is some good maps?