first published week of: 04/01/2013
When Apple released iOS 6 last year, it replaced the long-running Google Maps app with its own in-house mapping software. And, as most of you know, it took a lot of criticism over the move due to its inaccurate map data, missing features and other issues.
It was so bad, in fact, that Tim Cook wrote an open letter to iOS users, promising Apple would work non-stop to make it better. And it has been. It’s already made several improvements to the app, and is in the middle of a big hiring push for its Maps team…
Just last month we spotted over 10 job listings on Apple’s website that called for iOS software engineers that would be working on the Maps app. And today, several more Maps listings have surfaced (at least 7), this time calling for ‘Maps Ground Truth’ managers.
What’s Ground Truth? Well a quick Wikipedia search tells us that it’s a term used in remote sensing, for collecting data on location and comparing it remote data like satellite imagery. So essentially, it’s just confirming that the stuff shown on satellite really exists.
Here’s the description from one of the listings:
The Maps team is searching for a manager for the team responsible for regional map quality and ground truth in the U.S.. Each of our regional teams is responsible for the quality of our maps in their region. This team’s responsibilities include:
-Testing new releases of map code and data around the U.S.
-Collecting ground truth data to allow for analysis of the impact of potential map code or data changes relative to known truth. continued…