AutoNavi Holdings, a Chinese maker of electronic navigation tools, has been selected by Apple to offer map services for users of future iPhones and iPads in China, reports “The Washington Post” (http://macte.ch/24Zzm), quoting two unnamed “people with knowledge of the matter.”

AutoNavi will supply its maps of China to users of the iOS 6 operating system, an upgrade for iPhones and iPads that will be released by Apple this fall, according to one of the people, who asked not to be named before an announcement.

Last month Apple introduced its own maps tool for users of iOS 6, replacing Google Maps. The company is adding technology partners in China including AutoNavi, Baidu and Sina Corp. to expand the range of services to Chinese consumers and meet rising local demand for its mobile devices, notes “The Washington Post.”