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Apple releases unknown tools to the App Store, may be expanding its partner base for Apple Maps data collection

You can never have too much data when it comes to GPS-based mapping applications.

Apple appears to be expanding its pool of partner firms supplying data for its Apple Maps app, as the company has recently released an app designed for partner companies to contribute updated information.

The new app, dubbed “Surveyor,” is available in the US App Store, doesn’t seem intended for public use. Rather than the GPS tracking, multiple cameras, and LiDAR scanning that Apple’s fleet of Apple Maps cars use, Surveyor is intended to capture images of street signs. The app seems geared towards getting detailed information to Apple without having its cars repeat their data collection routes.

Per MacRumors, the Surveyor app itself initially appears to do nothing but give the user a button called “Open Partner App.” The phrasing suggests that there could be multiple partner apps, though the current option seems to open one called “Premise.” Given the lack of publicly available information, it’s unknown exactly what Surveyor or Premise do, but according to the code within Surveyor, it appears that whoever uses the app will be instructed to mount their iPhone and drive while using Apple’s app. The app then works to record and relay details such as street signs. It’s also been rumored that Apple is considering adding search ads to Apple Maps. This could mean firms can pay to feature more prominently in Apple Maps search results.

As always, stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

Via AppleInsider and MacRumors

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