It’s not often you notice Apple hunting about for a specific task. In fact, judging by the job listing found by the good folks at MacRumors, one can tell exactly what Apple has in the hopper… They want to take the built-in Maps App to the ‘next level’. Groovy.
A snippet from the job posting:
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.
This is all very, VERY interesting is it not? With Google’s recent turn-by-turn GPS developments (available on all Android 1.6+ devices), and the proliferation of Android on the mobile scene… Could it be that Apple wants to do something to differentiate themselves from the boys and girls on the Google Campus? Surely they do… and they no doubt see themselves falling behind.
With Google Maps becoming more and more tightly integrated into Android, and with many awesome new features built-in… Apple must be feeling the hurt, hence the need to find new software engineers. Perhaps Apple can build-in awesome new features that give me directions to awesome deals like ‘find me a new MacBook Pro for under $1000’… or, ‘hook me up with an iPhone on a carrier other than AT&T’.
Just buggin’ Apple, just buggin’.