Apple Job Listing Hints at Turn-By-Turn Navigation in iOS

[Phillip Swanson]

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

It appears, based on the position description, Apple's rumored foray into turn-by-turn navigation (and an iOS "Maps App" different from the built in Google Maps App) is coming. Moving away from Google for their Maps solution seems natural, as Apple doesn't particularly like to rely on others for iOS services - or anything for that matter.

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]

[whereswaldo]

Haven't we heard this story about 50 times before?

[thetoothfairy]

Waldo I bet you could have stated something positive instead of what you stated... be nice

[jwil736]

Can you say iTravel? I wonder if that domain is taken yet...? I could see apple charging $10 a month for a premium turn by turn...

[sziklassy]

Just give us google navigation already. It's still considered to be in beta on Android and is still 1000 times better than any offering on iOS (navigon is great too but free > $50 IMO)

[farfromovin]

Just give us google navigation already. It's still considered to be in beta on Android and is still 1000 times better than any offering on iOS (navigon is great too but free > $50 IMO)

Just switched to Android and yes, Google Nav is very nice. The only thing UPS Navigon has on it is pre loaded maps. I prefer the speed and actual navigation routing of the Google version. This imap program out of Cupertino has been LONG overdue.

[DaLsim]

That map use wifi if u at home and data when ur not?
Then again there will be no longer unlimited data? so u pay crapple everytime u turn on the map. NO THKS.