Apple Maps latest: company seeks to hire an NZ Ground Truth Data Specialist
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New Zealanders have had a good laugh, or cry, at Apple Maps.
Now, the dysfuntional navigation service could also deliver one of us a job.
@nzben spied this recruitment ad on on Apple's website for a New Zealand-based Maps Ground Truth Data Specialist.
I seems like a really good idea to have an Apple employee in NZ to verify updates.
When Apple Maps launched, the company conceded it had many gaffes, but said tap-and-send crowd-sourced fixes would help to quickly rectify problems.
Certainly, changes appeared fast.
But as Dunedin Airport shifted from its original Apple Maps location (near Greymouth) to inside the Octagon, one had to suspect some of the crowd sourcers were pulling the company's leg.
The job is advertised as an Auckland, Otago, New Zealand role, indicating gaps remain in local knowledge.
"They really need to fill that position," remarked iOS developer Layton Duncan on Twitter.
A screen grab is below (on the assumption Apple will eventually fix its geographical blooper; the ad has been up since Feb 27).
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Comments and questions8
I sure someone in Bangladesh with access to Google Maps could do the verifying.
The job ad says you need to have knowledge of the best driving routes etc.
I'm taking the Mickey in the article above, but it's a good move (though would have been better six months ago).
It shows Apple is serious about fixing Maps which - its dodgy data aside - has slick, user-friendly interface. It'll get there, and competition for Google Maps can only be good.
I've lived in Auckland most of my life and I still rely on Google Maps for best driving directions for anything outside of my small area of comfort.
Timaru Airport is still Christchurch.
CK - Did you notice the ad asks for someone in Auckland, Otago, New Zealand ?!!
There looks like there will be a fair bit of work to do!
Indeed. Screen grab added above (on the assumption Apple will eventually fix this geographic blooper; the ad has been online since Feb 27).
Some have suggested that a person is required for each location but it's just not clear. Clarity is a virtue in mapping.
If you click through to the ad, you can see it's definitely listing Auckland as a place in Otago. The filtering system shows two regions for NZ: Wellington & Otago. The only city in the Wellington region is Wellington, the only city in the Otago region is Auckland. :)
Still unchanged... wonder if they'll figure that out sooner or later.