The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Apple scrambled to hire iOS 6 maps engineers DAYS before launch

It's almost as if Apple didn't plan this very well

Ensure Ease of Recovery with Asigra’s Agentless Software

Apple posted job adverts for six iOS map engineers within the past ten days, perhaps preempting the storm of criticism over the controversial new map app in iOS 6.

Any effort to boost the software's team could be seen as too little, too late after fanbois and fangrrls across the world branded the new satnav-like service as rubbish. Apple had decided to replace Google's map app with its own program in the latest version of its mobile operating system, which was unleashed on the public this week.

Thanks to a tip-off from an eagle-eyed reader, The Register notes that Apple has hired 15 peeps into the maps team this year, starting on 5 July with a call for a "maps engineering project manager, iOS SW".

Since 11 September Apple has posted six job vacancies for iOS software engineers in the maps division - search for maps to uncover the listings. The job descriptions describe "proactive and hardworking software engineers", and make the debatable claim that the lucky hires will be working on "the best mapping program on any mobile platform". It reads:

Our team is responsible for displaying map content for the Maps application on iOS. It is used by millions of customers and it's the best mapping program on any mobile platform.

Well, some would disagree.

Responsibilities in the role include: "Implementing real-time rendering techniques, creating new and innovative features, solving challenging algorithmic problems and fixing problems."

Job adverts in iOS6, screengrab Apple

Vacancies for six iOS maps engineers on the Apple website

On 22 August, Apple posted vacancies for two software engineers for "maps navigation", and on 14 August Apple again posted for a "maps engineering project manager". On 3 and 6 August bosses were looking for a server quality assurance engineer in maps and an iOS software engineer who would work in the maps division, respectively.

There were three job ads specifically looking for people for the maps division back in autumn 2011, but nothing in between. It is understood Apple was hiring as early as 2010 for the group.

Perhaps Apple realised rather too late that its maps application wasn't very good, and that it needed new staff to improve it. Surely not at a company with a market cap north of $600 billion. ®

Regcast training : Hyper-V 3.0, VM high availability and disaster recovery

Anonymous Coward

Re: Megabucks.

Seriously? You're saying that 'Fandroids' are the ones that want this? I think you mean 'iFans'. You know, the ones who are in love with the company that's hell-bent on blocking the import of everyone else's phones?

21
0

Tim Cook fail

As so the slow decline into mediocrity begins. Steve J was a douche and cheapskate (where's the Steve Jobs foundation to help humanity?) but no way he releases a half baked maps service before its ready. And so it begins.

20
3

Re: Thumb down this, sheep.

Downvoted. Not because I disagree but because your comment is so badly written I can't understand the point you're trying to make.

16
0

More from The Register

Reg hack prepares to live off wondergloop Soylent
Our man puts eating people powder Food 2.0 to the test
ROBOT COW teaches Saudi kids where milk comes from
Udderly ridiculous bovine intervention is beyond the pail
 breaking news
Who's to be the next Dr Who? Sherlock beats Maurice - says you
Cumberbatch EXTERMINATES Ayoade, Atkinson, Pegg - and Tilda Swinton
Chewbacca held up by TSA stormtroopers for having light sabre
'Mrauuun' 'Right, Chewie, giant man do need giant cane'
 breaking news
I told you I'd be back: Arnie set for another career revival
Don't worry voters, Schwarzenegger's talking about Terminator 5
Waving an Eye-of-Sauron pulsating mock cock? STOP IMMEDIATELY
Mains-powered sex aid recalled ... Ultimate O turns into ultimate OH NO
At #guardiancoffee, we can now TASTE THE FUTURE through a PRISM!
I have measured out my life in espresso spoons
Oracle's Ellison outlines plans for Hawaiian Electriclarryland
Solar-sourced eau d'Oracle the key to island revival
Soylent days and soylent nights
Food 2.0 fails the post-pub nosh test
BEYOND Marxism: What Google learned from staring Glassily at Norks
Boobs, Noobs and Juche-oriented networked facilitators