Apple overhauling data services 'front-to-back' for future version of Maps, job listing reveals
Apple is planning major changes to Maps that will involve radically overhauling the data services behind the platform, according to a job listing posted on Thursday discovered by AppleInsider.
The company is searching for a senior software engineer to join its Maps Data Services team, which is tasked with behind-the-scenes data infrastructure. The company is specifically asking for someone with experience in large-scale distributed systems, as well as skill in technologies like Java, Scala, Kafka, and/or Zookeeper.
Towards the end of the listing, the company states that it has "big plans," and is hunting for "engineers and leaders that can design and build clean, scalable, and performant data services."
More significantly, Apple says it is "overhauling things front-to-back," and wants "engineers that live and breath [sic] data and distributed services."
The full extent of Apple's plans is unknown. The company could conceivably be shaking up Maps for iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 -- both of which should arrive this fall -- but if so the new hire would likely be joining a project well underway. Apple is due to showcase the new operating systems at WWDC 2015, which starts June 8, and it will need at least some basics in place by then to share with developers.
In April, AppleInsider learned that Apple has a team working to restore public transit directions, a feature that has been missing in Maps since Google content was stripped out in 2012. That could be one reason for a major data services revamp.
The company is searching for a senior software engineer to join its Maps Data Services team, which is tasked with behind-the-scenes data infrastructure. The company is specifically asking for someone with experience in large-scale distributed systems, as well as skill in technologies like Java, Scala, Kafka, and/or Zookeeper.
Towards the end of the listing, the company states that it has "big plans," and is hunting for "engineers and leaders that can design and build clean, scalable, and performant data services."
More significantly, Apple says it is "overhauling things front-to-back," and wants "engineers that live and breath [sic] data and distributed services."
The full extent of Apple's plans is unknown. The company could conceivably be shaking up Maps for iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 -- both of which should arrive this fall -- but if so the new hire would likely be joining a project well underway. Apple is due to showcase the new operating systems at WWDC 2015, which starts June 8, and it will need at least some basics in place by then to share with developers.
In April, AppleInsider learned that Apple has a team working to restore public transit directions, a feature that has been missing in Maps since Google content was stripped out in 2012. That could be one reason for a major data services revamp.
Comments
It hasn't been mentioned here at all, but Apple recently completed a full top to bottom redo of Siri's backend, which is why she's much better these days. My guess is they're planning a similar effort here.
So.. where has it been mentioned?
More significantly, Apple says it is "overhauling things front-to-back," and wants "engineers that live and breath [sic] data and distributed services."
Perfect.
So.. where has it been mentioned?
One article:
http://************/2015/04/27/siri-backend-mesos/
(I see AI doesn't allow linking to other Mac sites. You'll have to Google it, when you get home from your 9 to 5 job.)
Hahaha are you serious? That's pretty funny. A bit insecure don't you think ai?
About time. Apple Maps continues to fall behind other sources. I live in a new area in fastest growing metro region in the country, and Apple maps is more than a year behind Google, and has no user edit capabilities to add missing data. I can't even send them a pic of the current map. I love their products but this one is not good. I sure hope they address this.
Apple's Maps app, on both OS X and iOS, allow you to "Report a Problem" by clicking on a POI (point of interest) or dropping a pin and clicking on it. Scroll down to the bottom of the pop-up window if you don't see the selection button. Options listed may include: "Location is missing", "Wrong location on map", "Location details incorrect", "Location or information incorrect", "Location is closed", and "My problem isn't listed" depending upon the OS and whether a POI or dropped pin. Selecting one of these choices allow you to reposition a pin, add or correct details, and add a photo.
But did that spelling error originate here or with Apple?
One article:
http://************/2015/04/27/siri-backend-mesos/
(I see AI doesn't allow linking to other Mac sites. You'll have to Google it, when you get home from your 9 to 5 job.)
Test http://************/2015/05/14/find-my-iphone-glitch/
http://bit.ly/1PJGHBX
then what is your explanation for the link blocking?
In a related topic, has anyone else observed that any user reported map problems are getting solved much quicker nowadays? Also they give a notification on the iphone/ipad when they have fixed it.
I have had quite a few issues fixed within a week, and sometimes within a day even. I think this is wonderful.
I live on a new development of 1000 houses in the UK constructed between 2006 and 2012, The aerial map images for both Apple and Google were the same, showing an incomplete development missing at least 100 newly built homes. This helped to date the aerial to around 2010. About 3 months ago I reported the out of date satellite image to both Apple and Google. It probably took about 3 or 4 weeks before Apple replaced the aerial view with one of the completed development tat show all house. Google still have the out of date 2010 satellite image.
Not sure if this in anyway connected but yesterday I did see the Google street view car 2 miles away in the next town. I wonder if they are updating street view where I live. As an aside, it was interesting to see people's reaction to the Google street view car. Many of them waved at the cameras.
Yes, here's evidence of Siri, before and after her back end overhaul:
Hahah really AI? Seeing how you are quite happy to copy stories from these other sites, blocking links to them is pretty low...
I wonder what other Apple sites are blocked:
macrumors.com - Mac Rum0rs
************ - 9 to 5 Mac
macosrumors.com - Mac 0S Rumors
macdailynews.com - Mac Daily News
cultofmac.com - Cult of Mac
Weird. Maybe Kasper(?) fell out with 9to5Mac.
The story is much longer than a simple fallout. But that's not for discussion here.
If people want to link to 9to5 simply replace a dot with %2e, like so:
http://9to5mac.com/2015/05/14/find-my-iphone-glitch/
[@]mgcsooner[/@] Google has an 8 year headstart. Keeping that in mind I'd say Apple has done an outstanding job in creating such a feature rich product in -for all we know- just one year development.
So.. where has it been mentioned?
I know that they bought Novauris in 2013 to fine tune SIRI but I think they still partner with Nuance.
http://www.cnet.com/news/apple-acquires-speech-recognition-firm-novauris-for-siri-help/
I also know Apple has a dedicated team in Boston focused on enhancing SIRI.
http://www.betaboston.com/news/2014/09/08/apple-is-growing-the-cambridge-research-team-focused-on-improving-siri-speech-recognition/
http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2013/07/26/apples-boston-area-team-working-on-speech-in-nuances-backyard/