Just because Google Maps is back on the iPhone doesn't mean Apple is giving up on improving its own mapping application.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has been in talks with Foursquare for several weeks to add the check-in service's local data to maps.

The talks are said to involve Apple SVP Eddy Cue, who took on responsibility for Maps after it was announced that the head of iOS Scott Forstall would be leaving the company. Cue set off speculation last week when he joined Foursquare and posted a couple updates to his Twitter account.

I'm at Apple - Valley Green 2 (Cupertino, CA) 4sq.com/SdfrUE — Eddy Cue (@cue) December 12, 2012

Foursquare could help Apple solve multiple problems at once. For starters, Foursquare has a treasure trove of information about venues that could help Apple build out its own local search listings in Maps — something the company has also tried to do with other companies like Yelp. Apple is also clearly interested in becoming more social — integrating Facebook and Twitter into iOS — and partnering with Foursquare could potentially help that as well.

Partnering with Apple could expand Foursquare's reach at a time when reports suggest that the company's user and revenue growth is slowing. Despite being the pioneering brand for checkins, a separate report from the Journal last month found that Foursquare will generate just $2 million in revenue this year and has only 8 million monthly active users.

Image courtesy of Flickr, Nouhailler.