New Job Listings for "Apple Maps" Engineers

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Apple is advertising for four new iOS software engineers, and all of them need experience in developing navigation software. The new listings are seen as the strongest signal yet that Apple is looking to come up with an in-house version of the Google service that drives the Maps app, potentially including turn-by-turn navigation.

In addition to skills with navigational software, Apple is also looking for candidates with "deep knowledge of Computational Geometry or Graph Theory," which would be the kind of math required to come up with a competitor to the Google Maps direction-finding algorithm. In addition, the engineer must have "experience with Linux server-side development of distributed systems." This would suggest that Apple is developing not just an app but a fully-fledged mapping service like Google Maps.

Apple's interest in developing its own mapping services has been clear for some time. Last year, Apple bought mapping firm Placebase, which had come up with its own Google Maps alternative, with more extensive capabilities to provide overlays of complex data on its maps. And in July, it was reported that Apple acquired Poly9, a Canadian company which had developed a Google Earth-like "cross-browser, cross-platform 3D globe which does not require any download," and moved all its employees to Cupertino.

Source: AppleInsider

[Aliquippakid]

Now I think they are just checking stuff off the bucket list. Free turn by turn would be a nice addition tho.

[Zokunei]

…potentially including turn-by-turn navigation.

Maps.app already has turn-by-turn.

Are they trying to cut Google out of the bundled OS?

[whereswaldo]

I guess if they don't want google stuff on the iPhone, they also need to make AppleTube and change Safari's default search engine

[Zokunei]

I guess if they don't want google stuff on the iPhone, they also need to make AppleTube and change Safari's default search engine

Lol yeah, maybe Bing.

[whereswaldo]

Lol yeah, maybe Bing.

Then it would incorporate the ultimate enemy, Microsoft. Maybe Yahoo or maybe Apple makes their own search engine

[athleticswimmer]

Then it would incorporate the ultimate enemy, Microsoft. Maybe Yahoo or maybe Apple makes their own search engine

haha nice one! oh wait you weren't kidding (typing in isearch.com...omg it's true) this CHANGES EVERYTHING AGAIN...

EDIT - I realize "isearch" already exist so if apple were to create there own search engine (99.99% doubt) they probably won't name it that..or they would give a million bucks to the owners of that website.

[Zokunei]

Then it would incorporate the ultimate enemy, Microsoft. Maybe Yahoo or maybe Apple makes their own search engine

That was the joke : \

[scroogelives]

Don't see apple doing a free built in nav app!! Think how much money Tom Tom and sorts have made them!! Only thing I see them doing is bribing out a high price app that will take 5 years to deliver what all the basics!

[wolverinemarky]

Ugh I rather have the google maps update that android phones have then something that has no real world experience in use for years. But maybe that just me just cause we use google for maps and YouTube and search doesn't mean people will go for android I know that's probably what apple is thinking but iOS and the iPhone are amazing cause we have the best of everything.


Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

[Cer0]

Didn't Apple buy a map company last year?

[farfromovin]

Didn't Apple buy a map company last year?

Didn't you read the first post?

[Cer0]

Didn't you read the first post?

Ha lol. Guess I missed that part. I was skimming the article and posts because I am at work.

Thanks.

[WCR4_6]

Maps.app already has turn-by-turn.

Are they trying to cut Google out of the bundled OS?

It's not true Turn by Turn (unlike TomTom or Navigon) as the Maps.app route stages remain static when you follow them. (That is the user forwards onto the next step manually).

Fully featured turn by turn would be brilliant

[Zokunei]

It's not true Turn by Turn (unlike TomTom or Navigon) as the Maps.app route stages remain static when you follow them. (That is the user forwards onto the next step manually).

Fully featured turn by turn would be brilliant

Oh, ok.

[cory]

I guess if they don't want google stuff on the iPhone, they also need to make AppleTube and change Safari's default search engine

don't forget that Apple bought Siri not too long ago...

[Zokunei]

don't forget that Apple bought Siri not too long ago...

Isn't Siri just a pretty package for a bunch of other sources?

[cory]

From what I remember hearing is that it was a new search engine. I don't know too much about it, but thats what I remember.

EDIT: Ok after looking it up on their website it is just a pretty package for a search on other sites. Maybe thats what apple wants to give everyone. search results from everyone, not just one site. I can see this a something apple would do before seriously taking a stab at google.

[vantheman169]

I have thought about this before, i am surprised Apple has not gotten into the portable GPS game anyways. The only problem is an APPLE GPS unit would cost 600 Bones knowing Apple. But i like google maps, i wish they would just get along. HA!

[Gyngabread Man]

i love the pic i wish i could have that in a theme it put a smile on face and for that i thank u.... just not with the thanks button cuz i dont feel like hitting backspace after i type this