AppleInsider uncovered an Apple job listing that hints at Apple's intentions to develop an in-house turn-by-turn navigation solution.
The listing is for a talented "iOS QA Location Engineer" with a focus on GPS technology and the following job description:
You will join a dynamic team responsible for qualifying the latest iOS products, working on exciting new features for iOS location services,” the listing reads. “The successful candidate will complete both documented and adhoc testing to ensure high quality releases.”
Specifically, a preferred candidate will have experience with GPS as well as “navigation algorithms
Specifically, a preferred candidate will have experience with GPS as well as “navigation algorithms
However, the time frame for the release of a new, improved, and Google-less Maps app is unclear. There was no mention of a Maps app update at WWDC, and there isn't an expected revamp to go along with the launch of iOS 5. Non of the iOS 5 beta updates seeded to developers has featured any major changes to the current Maps app. Still, a crowd-sourced traffic service built into Apple's Maps has been talked about, and the integration of Location Services into other aspects of iOS, including location-aware reminders, could benefit from an Apple developed iOS Maps application.
Or it could be a woefully underwhelming application. No one will know until Apple wants them to know, and thats just how Apple likes it.
Source: AppleInsider via [iDownloadBlog]
Reply
