Recently, Apple quietly launched a new application called "Surveyor," designed to enable data collection—including street signs and road details—to improve the accuracy of its “Apple Maps” app. However, this application is not intended for public use; instead, it's used by Apple and partner companies to assign mapping tasks.

Upon downloading and opening Surveyor, users are presented with an option labeled "Open Partner App," which directs them to another application called Premise where they can select task assignments. The company Premise allows users to earn rewards by completing simple missions such as participating in surveys or sharing local information like construction zones or supermarket prices.

According to reports analyzing Surveyor’s code, once a user accepts mapping tasks through Premise and installs an iPhone holder, rotates their device into landscape mode while driving, they will be instructed to use the Surveyor app to capture images along their route. The application indicates that these captured road features—such as signs or traffic lights—are sent back to Apple with location data for "precisely pinpointing objects on maps."

While Premise is not currently listed among Apple Maps' partners, its interface suggests that Apple utilizes information collected by Premise users to maintain real-time updates of small details within its mapping service.

(Picture source: TechNews)