iPhone Maps to "The Next Level:" Without Google?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

MacRumors highlighted a newly posted Apple job listing today that shows that the iPhone "Geo team" is looking for a software engineer to work on the Maps app.

The iPhone and iPod touch Maps team is looking for a proactive and hardworking software engineer to join our team. The iPhone Maps application is used by millions of customers and it’s the best mapping program on any mobile platform. Now with iPhone OS 3.0, the MapKit framework allows any developer to embed a fast and easy to use map right in their application. In addition to the Maps application and MapKit framework, the Maps team is also responsible for the new Compass application as well as other location-based services (LBS) on iPhone and iPod touch.

[...]We want to take Maps to the next level

Google has long been the database engine behind iPhone's Maps application, and since Apple and Google have increasingly come into competition, as Google moves more into mobile technology, it is unsirprising that Apple may be looking more to "go in-house" on its iPhone offerings. Google has added many Android-only features to Google Maps - such as plain English search and voice search - and though Google has said they're interested in adding that functionality to the iPhone Maps app, progress has been slow.

Also, Apple acquired Placebase, a would-be Google Maps competitor, back in July. The former CEO of Placebase is now part of the iPhone Geo team, and this job listing would be another piece of evidence that Apple is looking to move beyond Google in future versions of the iPhone Maps app.

[Raptors]

Wow big news!

[rhekt]

kind of sad news. i like google. well heres to the future maps.

[Melech518]

Well I saw that one coming....

[vedavis]

Deja vu all over again. It's like those wild and wooly days of the '80s and '90s where Apple, Microsoft and IBM duked it out for desktop dominance. But now, Google has replaced IBM as the big, bad wolf. And instead of the desktop, it's now a phone (or a phone OS, to be precise). I hope we, the consumers, are not going to lose out on this, since Google Maps is dominate.

[Atomi]

Speech man from Nokia Co said a few days ago that iPhone is gonna have "short road" and nokia will take iPhones marketplace back in no time.. It gonna be interesting few next years as we see who ends up as a winner in mobile devices.

[wolverinemarky]

i want the google maps with voice especially since it will be free i like google maps better then any of the other navigation programs. So stop acting like a baby apple and get the damn program

[iBwizzle]

Man... Apple better not leave out the transit and walking direction features!

[rhekt]

Man... Apple better not leave out the transit and walking direction features!

yeah i like that feature too

[hollow0]

I seriously doubt Apple would make a Map app and not make it seamless or refined. Apple always puts in the extra work to make it work right. Google is nice but i welcome any other map that can do the same thing. It's like TOM TOM v.s Garmin. They use different maps but in the end it's still a map and gets you to your desired location. I'm sure we'll be able to understand a map app other than Google..if not then, you've got problems.

Like their ending sentence says.."We've only just started"! Think outside the box people!

[tudtran]

I like Google Map

[Zeal]

Apple...

Really REALLY pisses me off how Anal they are about everything.

[rwin84]

I dont really understand some of apples rationale

[domenicp]

I dont really understand some of apples rationale

It's simple... Google is now a competitor. Apple cannot be reliant on a competitor for one of its most important apps.

[Jahooba]

How does Google compete with Apple? Because they make products for the competition?

I'm sure it has less to do with competition and more to do with Apple having control over its own features. It's not about money, it's about control.

[domenicp]

How does Google compete with Apple? Because they make products for the competition?

I'm sure it has less to do with competition and more to do with Apple having control over its own features. It's not about money, it's about control.

They make competing mobile OSs. Apple went to google in the first place for a maps app. Why would they now change? What has changed? Now Google has their own competing mobile OS (Android). Apple could be left hanging dry as google introduces new features. That has to factor into this.

[tudtran]

Google and Apple should kiss and make up. It's hard for Apple to top Google Map. But Apple to have the tendencies to surprise. I hope Google Map is still be available via App store.

[hollow0]

How does Google compete with Apple? Because they make products for the competition?

I'm sure it has less to do with competition and more to do with Apple having control over its own features. It's not about money, it's about control.

Uhh wrong it's obvious google and apple will compete. They are 2 different manufactures of phone OSs. It's plain and simple to see. Do you see honda making their cars with ford rims or chevy symbols? Quit thinking everything they offer is for control lol. Geez.. that's everybody's excuse for a lame argument.

[[email protected]]

yeah i like that feature too

And streetview.

[brandonmarback]

Looks like my next phone will be an Android Phone. Good work Apple, I was hoping I would have an excuse to dump your worthless wares. Now I do.