Google has just inked a long-term license agreement with TeleAtlas that will give the company access to maps in more than 200 countries around the world. The maps will be implemented in Google’s map-based services and navigation across mobile, online and desktop environments as well as the upcoming Android OS. With the mapping application streamlined across all platforms, the agreement with TeleAtlas will open the maps to edits from Google’s vast community of users. Opening up the maps to edits will “further increase” the quality of TeleAtlas Maps and in the end it will help make Google the permanent leader in mapping applications.
No details on when Google plans to implement the additional mapping data for the over 200 countries in TeleAtlas. On a side note, back in mid-May TomTom announced they had received “unconditional clearance” from the European Commission for the proposed acquisition by TomTom of TeleAtlas. It looks like Google is getting in bed with the right companies just before Nokia finds a way to make the Navteq deal work in August 2008.
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