Apple’s often-ridiculed Maps app is getting some much-needed assistance, thanks to a recent new hire who helped invent the satellite navigation systems used by a bevy of automakers.
Sinisa Durekovic, a software engineer who was the principle architect and engineer for Harman International Industries’ navigation systems, has reportedly joined Apple, and the company won’t say what he is working on.
Although Durekovic’s expertise could possibly be put to use building the self-driving features on the rumored Apple Car, Bloomberg reports that he’s likely working on the Apple Maps project that will include a 4,000-person team in India.
Apple debuted its mapping platform in 2012 and got off to a rocky start. The service has seen significant improvements in accuracy and richer features over the last few years, but lags behind Google Maps.
Durekovic has more than 20 years of experience working on various satellite navigation technologies that are used by the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagon and others. Before working at Harman, the German citizen spent some years at GPS company Navigon GmbH, which was acquired by Garmin.
Based on his LinkedIn profile, Apple appears to have hired Durekovic in October and relocated him from Munich to the San Francisco area. The company did not respond when asked what projects Durekovic will be contributing to.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
9 responses to “Apple hires satnav expert to improve Maps app”
significant improvements? after not using apple maps for years due to inaccurate directions i decided to try it 4 days ago for directions to dominos. It brought me to an empty field 3 miles away from where dominos actually is located. I am team apple FTW but for the love of accuracy admit defeat and make Google Maps the default!!!!!!
…
._______.
If you even visit urban cities like NY, Atlanta or SF, you’d eat your words faster than a squirrel. Literally.
It did exactly what it was supposed to do… keep you away from shitty Dominos Pizza.
I have been using apple maps since DAY 1 and it has never failed me. This media circus over apple maps is a total load of media piling.
I have used google maps and they are at wrist equals, at best apple is better.
I think Maps has proved enormously since its launch. I love navigating through Manchester with it because it renders the 3D building beautifully with incredible accuracy. BUT – I can’t make the switch from Google Maps for two reasons. 1 – Apple just can’t compete with Google when it comes to their database of businesses. I think they use Yelp over here which is good but still missing a lot. 2 – The traffic features on Google are now very sophisticated. I love knowing how long it’ll take to get out of a traffic jam. Only downside of Google Maps is its pretty much useless on Apple Watch.
Apple Maps is highly underrated when it comes to driving directions. My girlfriend (android user) and I often use our respective map applications at the same time wheb traveling. Both work fine with no significant difference in accuracy. On a recent trip to Peurto Rico, Apple Maps was routinely the better choice. Google kept trying to find ‘better’ routes that were confusing, and indirect. Google also got confused by some one way roads.
To but it bluntly, Apple Maps sucks. Period. I have used it a few times and gave it another try after my Apple Watch purchase to try and see how the two work together. Apple Maps took me into the heaviest traffic in the area while Google Maps would have rerouted in a different direction. Apple Maps has failed me too many times in the past. In pains me to say that Google Maps is far superior to this crappy app. Why Apple has left it alone in its crappiness is way beyond me.
In my area of the country (central New York State), Apple Maps kicks Google Map’s ass.