On Android, the Google Maps API is part of "Google APIs", not "Android APIs". Since they have their own Android fork essentially, they get the latter, but not the former. So now they've built an equivalent for the former.

Ah, gotcha. But still Google's map data, not some new source, yes?

I think map data is from Nokia[1]. API interface may be same as Google API's.

[1]http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2012/09/17/nokia-confirms-amazo...

Yeah. That's how I read it. They're just making it easier to use on their own devices.

So the title is terribly misleading?

It's more likely UpNext's data.

http://gigaom.com/2012/07/02/exclusive-amazon-buys-3d-mappin...

No - looks like it's based on Nokia's Location Platform.