Apple taking their Maps app to 'the next level'
Apple is looking for yet another engineer to help make the iPhone even better. A new job listing found on Apple's website was posted looking for a full-time software engineer to be a part of the Maps application team. The position description explains that Apple wants to take their Maps application to "the next level" and states that they've "only just started."From the listing:
It's pretty clear that Apple is feeling the heat from the increasing number of GPS and augmented reality applications available from third-party developers and even the advancements that Google has made on their Android platform. This job application definitely shows that Apple is certainly not resting and that work is continuing on the iPhone OS and the applications it offers. While this listing is far more specific than usual, it could be a sign of great things to come.We want to take Maps to the next level, rethink how users use Maps and change the way people find things. We want to do this in a seamless, highly interactive and enjoyable way. We've only just started.
[via Macrumors]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jordan said 10:23AM on 11-30-2009
It's about time. I used Maps last night for the first time in a long time and was reminded why I never used it before. Slow and shitty.
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Callum said 10:39AM on 11-30-2009
i think they're looking into augmented reality. this is where its at- and Apple will take it to the masses first.
you think?
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Jordan said 10:56AM on 11-30-2009
Yeah...cuz the iphone is the perfect platform for that....
Callum said 11:44AM on 11-30-2009
demo augmented reality app: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2uH-jrsSxs
this would be great in reality.
PEU said 10:52AM on 11-30-2009
I would love to be able to use my google maps, I mean the maps you can customize at their site with areas, tours etc.
Google earth supports them, but google earth does not have street views, only satellite.
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PinkLisa said 11:05AM on 11-30-2009
With all the stuff people are adding to phones now it is hard to make calls now. It's more like a hand held computer.
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imalmostjesus said 12:20PM on 11-30-2009
Umm, on the bottom of my screen ther is always a phone button. I push it, I look for the persons name/dial the number, and then hit the green button.
Ooooor I can just hold down a button and speak the number I want to call, and the phone recognizes the exact numbers I say 9/10 times.
So basically what I'm saying is that the opposite of what you're saying is true.
PinkLisa said 5:46PM on 11-30-2009
Well maybe you just spend a lot more time on the phone then I do. I just need a phone that calls people and nothing else. I do not have the time to search through a bunch of buttons just to make one call for a minute.
15 minutes looking for the call button. LoL but I like the look of the apple phone. I will keep it around for when I get bored. LoL But as a regular phone it has to much crap in it. I could never dial 911 fast on it if I needed to.
Montana Leet said 6:10PM on 11-30-2009
Umm... I don't know where to start. You do not have to push multiple buttons to make a phone call, you need to tap the phone app, and then either tap a contact or dial a number, and voi la. If you realllllllly can't find the phone app because you have so many apps, you can do a spotlight search for the phone app, which is done by pressing the home button once, and then pressing it again. It's very very easy to find the home button because it's one ofthe only 5 buttons on the iPhone, and it's the only one facing you. If you still can't find it, it's the little circle right underneath the screen. If that fails, then you can find the contacts app and tap a contact to call from there. Additionally, if you're browsing the web using the safari app, any phone number you come across there you can call by tapping it. As a previous poster mentioned, you can also use VoiceOver. And, regarding dialing 911... There's an app for that. Apple makes it exceedingly easy to make calls using the iPhone, and it's exceedingly clear to me and everyone else here that you do not own an iPhone.
mike said 10:47PM on 11-30-2009
just curious, did you deliberately get the iPhone so you could ignore its really cool features? Or do you just, want a cell phone? You can pick a burner up for about $50 and pay 20-30 bucks a month for calls and texts.
i'm sure someone would be glad to take that iPhone (yes its a personal computer/camera/mobile phone/game player in your pocket) off your hands. Maybe you could repackage it as a Xmas gift.
Or maybe you don't wanna give it away, you just felt like parroting a cheesy argument that's been played out since the iPhone was released.
Dan Woods said 11:33PM on 11-30-2009
If you want a Phone for just phone calls, there are plenty of cheap phones on the market. As long as it has Bluetooth, has a standard charging connector (miniUSB) and works with your relevant network, it should do the trick. The market is swamped with these devices, none of which turn a profit for their manufacturers.
If you want a more fully featured device, either get an iPhone or get an iPod Touch and a MiFi.
PinkLisa said 4:29AM on 12-01-2009
Well thank you for the input. I am glad I did not have to pay all that much for my phone. and the service is very low for service each month.
John said 11:14AM on 11-30-2009
Does anyone else feel totally cheated that the maps app now lists featured listings before closest to you? I looked up Chic-fila yesterday and the order went 15 miles away, 20 miles away, and then the one I was looking for
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John said 11:15AM on 11-30-2009
I don't know why it cut me off... looking for < 1 mile away.
Martin said 1:32PM on 11-30-2009
I sure do. I also feel cheated that your closest Chik-fil-A is only that far away. :( The only Chik-fil-A in Minnesota is in the U of MN campus, so it's open 11am-2pm on weekdays only.
FooFoo said 12:06PM on 11-30-2009
Maps should integrate with your address book and have the option of *your* address be the featured listings.
The "my maps" integration was great.... but the problem is that they integrated with the wrong app! It should have been with maps, not earth.
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Mark Kawakami said 1:12PM on 11-30-2009
I think this means "we want to get rid of our dependence on Google Maps, for obvious reasons."
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Surge said 3:30PM on 12-01-2009
Apple want to make thier own Maps App because Google is gonna leave em behind once Android takes off. You can already have free navigation with Google maps on android...No Google voice no Google Nav/maps.......Apple is trying to cover their butts which i dont blame
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