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Apple crowd-sourcing its own retail employee army to help improve Maps app

In the wake of Apple’s Maps controversy, CEO Tim Cook noted in an apology to customers that the company is “doing everything we can to make Maps better.” Today, reports from both ifoAppleStore and MacRumors claim Apple is testing a new program that will see retail employees test the maps and submit corrections to Apple on company time:

According to MacRumors:

Apple is piloting a program to tap into its vast number of retail store employees to help improve the company’s new Maps app for iOS 6. Details on the initiative remain unclear, but multiple sources have indicated that participating stores will dedicate 40 hours of staff time per week, distributed among a number of employees, to manually examine Apple’s mapping data in their areas and submit corrections and improvements.

How exactly Apple will handle the program is unclear, but MacRumors noted at least one store would have a team of 10 employees participating, while ifoAppleStore said the program at this point is still voluntary. Earlier this month, Cook recommended users take advantage of third-party mapping apps as Apple improves the Maps experience. Google is one company taking advantage of frustrated users, and The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg confirmed this morning that Mountain View will release an improved Google Maps web app with StreetView tomorrow.

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Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.