Neil Hughes
While Apple Maps is currently restricted to dedicated apps on iOS and OS X, that will change, as a new job listing from Apple reveals the company plans to make its mapping service available cross-platform on the Web.
Apple's future plans were revealed in an advertisement seeking a "Maps JavaScript Engineer" posted by the company in the last month. The full-time position based at the company's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters seeks a Web technology expert "to help make maps work seamlessly on the web."
The Web development position requires "deep knowledge" of JavaScript, as Apple unsurprisingly plans for its Web-based Maps service to be a "cross-platform" solution.
Currently, Apple Maps are only available on iOS 6 and later, as well as OS X 10.9 Mavericks and newer, but presumably a Web-based Maps service would allow users on other platforms, such as Microsoft's Windows, to access the service. Such a move would not be a huge surprise for the company, which already offers much of its iCloud service, as well as the iWork productivity suite, in cross-platform browser-based forms.
In addition to JavaScript, Apple also seeks a candidate familiar with HTML and CSS, and the ideal applicant will have a "proven track record of shipping excellent client-side web applications." The job listing was first noted by Benedict Evans.
Apple already owns and uses a Web URL for its mapping service at maps.apple.com, but in its current form it cannot be used to access Apple Maps via a browser. Instead, Apple uses it to allow users to share map data with other users and other devices, including cross-platform transitions between OS X and iOS.
The job listing marks the second time this year that Apple has revealed future plans for its Maps service via a vacancy. Back in April, AppleInsider was also first to report that the company advertised plans to bring public transit information to Apple Maps.
A major overhaul of Apple Maps is widely expected to be a key feature of the next generation versions of iOS and OS X, to be announced at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference next week. Beyond cross-platform Web access and public transportation, other potential additions could include crowdsourced traffic information, indoor location tracking, and more detailed Flyover "street view" data thanks to Apple's mapping vans that have been driving around the U.S.
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Wesley Hilliard
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37 Comments
Now that is interesting, Given ad revenue or gathering user data are not Apple's motives I wonder what benefit allowing other platforms to use it are? The only purpose I can see is to attract users to buy Apple hardware, in which case Apple must feel confident the new Maps will be of a very high standard in terms of use and performance, which as we all know, wasn't the case a while back. Or am I missing something?
This is good news being Apple iphone user, It may allow to use Apple maps software on my Windows desktop machine . I can chart my travel direction route on desktop and than send it to my iphone to exactly follow that route on iphone while driving.
Now that is interesting, Given ad revenue or gathering user data are not Apple's motives I wonder what benefit allowing other platforms to use it are? The only purpose I can see is to attract users to buy Apple hardware, in which case Apple must feel confident the new Maps will be of a very high standard in terms of use and performance, which as we all know, wasn't the case a while back. Or am I missing something?
If they have an iPhone, but use a Windows computer, or simply use Windows at the office, this would be beneficial. Basically like Maps app on Mac. Send route to iPhone, sync history and favorites etc.
If they don't have any Apple hardware, this could be beneficial too. Maybe they add some new feature like indoor mapping or something we haven't thought of yet.
Regardless, more users is beneficial to Apple and the platform and other users. More people sending corrections, more people searching for things, more people planning routes. The more user data they have, the better they can make the app, even if it's not for getting ad revenue.
iCloud's "Find My iPhone" feature already uses Apple Maps, albeit in a limited fashion; no search, points of interest, 3D Flyover, etc. It works in Internet Explorer, Chrome and Safari on Windows and OS X (and Linux).
Obviously Apple would probably like to bring the full experience to the web in a dedicated stand-alone site, and I've always thought they would as part of iCloud's services. I also think iMessage and Spotlight will eventually make its way to iCloud as well.
[quote name="digitalclips" url="/t/186551/job-listing-reveals-apple-maps-will-become-available-cross-platform-via-the-web#post_2730372"]Now that is interesting, Given ad revenue or gathering user data are not Apple's motives I wonder what benefit allowing other platforms to use it are? The only purpose I can see is to attract users to buy Apple hardware, in which case Apple must feel confident the new Maps will be of a very high standard in terms of use and performance, which as we all know, wasn't the case a while back. Or am I missing something?[/quote] If this means Apple is really getting serious about the cloud that's a good thing. Start fighting Google on their home turf.