Apple hiring developers to fix iOS maps

Apple's iOS maps application has been received with mixed reviews, but the company had been gearing up to fix its problems even before it was released.

The company last week posted multiple job advertisements for software engineers to work at its Santa Clara Valley, California, offices, specifically for maps, which it claims is "the best mapping program on any mobile platform." The company expects to use the new developers to take its maps application "to the next level, with vector-based Apple Maps, turn-by-turn navigation, and 3D."

Most of the roles are for different skills, but they give a fair idea of what Apple will be focusing on as it assembles its team of software engineers to improve maps.

Some of the new hires will be looking at improving how the app renders 3D flyover models, generates terrain, and renders roads. According to the job description, doing so will require knowledge of C++ and "advanced shader techniques," with an emphasis on getting maps to work on different hardware platforms.

Others will be working on "implementing real-time rendering techniques, creating new and innovative features, solving challenging algorithmic problems, and fixing problems."

Another role listed "finding/fixing performance bottlenecks, creating performance-measuring tools, monitoring performance over time, and solving challenging performance problems" as some of the tasks involved.

Additional success factors for candidates included familiarity with location-based technologies and mobile, and curiously, "a special affinity for teapots and bunnies."

Navigation is also receiving some attention, with Apple hiring developers to help fix issues and enhance performance. In particular, they'll need to have experience implementing routing algorithms, such as Dijkstra and A*, and matching maps with GPS and other location data.