Amid scathing criticisms surrounding the Maps feature in its iOS 6 operating system for mobile devices, Apple Inc. is assembling a team to work on the issues.

 

Tech site ZDNet said Apple, as early as last week, posted multiple job advertisements for software engineers to work at its Santa Clara Valley, California, offices.

 

"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," ZDNet said.

 

Other skills Apple is seeking include improving the rendering of 3D flyover models, generating terrain, and rendering roads, the ZDNet report said.

 

Also to be worked on are real-time rendering techniques, creating new and innovative features, and solving challenging algorithmic problems, it added.

 

The recruitment process came at a time the Maps in iOS 6 received criticism from many users.

 

Tech site All Things Digital said mounting complaints had branded iOS 6's Maps as "inaccurate, glitch-ridden and generally a poor substitute for the Google Maps-driven app that it replaces."

 

AllThingsD said the "recurring criticisms" of the app include:

 

- Lack of information about public transportation

- Searches for an in-town destination may yield results for a different city

- Mistaking farms for airports on occasion

- Placing gas stations in "utterly untenable locations"

 

But Apple sought patience, for a chance to improve things.

 

"We launched this new map service knowing that it is a major initiative and we are just getting started with it. We are continuously improving it, and as Maps is a cloud-based solution, the more people use it, the better it will get. We’re also working with developers to integrate some of the amazing transit apps in the App Store into iOS Maps. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better," it quoted Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller as saying.

 

However, AllThingsD noted "none of those things matters much if Maps continues to stumble with its core functionality by returning inaccurate mapping data and directions." — TJD, GMA News