Apple Wants to Pay You to Help Improve the Maps App

Apple is on the cusp of announcing a new program that will enable people everywhere (yep, even me and you) to ‘work’ for the company on the fly, quite literally, by helping identify, verify, and upload point of interest (poi) and location data to Apple Maps — and receiving in exchange, small, task-based payouts that could actually add up if you play your cards right.

That’s according to a report published on Friday by French website iGeneration, which went on to cite that Apple has been working to publicly implement its ‘TryRating’ program since last year. The program’s primary goal is to completely overhaul Apple’s Maps platform to reflect the most accurate and up-to-date information possible. According to the report, Apple has been actively contracting users to take part in the TryRating program — albeit on a very limited basis — and the company hopes to announce an expansion of the program very soon.

As far as user compensation, iGeneration reports that average users can expect to bank around 54 cents per accurate, verified update — with each user limited to logging no more than 600 tasks per week, respectively. There’s also a time limit variable that you’ll have to factor in to this equation: you’re given only a 20-hour window of time each week within which to complete as many tasks as you can, and that’s it.. until next week.

It’s a somewhat strange implementation of an otherwise cool and potentially lucrative opportunity (for the right person). But if you truly put your heart and soul into it, you could actually make some good cash on the side. Of course, that’s if — and we admit, this is a big if — you were able to log 600 tasks per week, which at around 54 cents per task, would pan out to a little over $300 per week. It’s not bad money for a side gig, you’ll just have to be sure you’re able to withstand long periods of time behind the wheel.

What’s interesting about this program is that Apple once relied exclusively on its retail workers to help update and identify information in Maps. Although the tactic was not particularly efficient, given the massive scale of data required and the relative scope and location of Apple’s retail employees. Apple Maps was recently found to be far less accurate than competing platforms like Google Maps, for example, so the company is clearly aware of its need to amp up Maps.

In terms of when we could see a public announcement of the program, iGeneration reports it could come as soon as this month.

[The information provided in this article has NOT been confirmed by Apple and may be speculation. Provided details may not be factual. Take all rumors, tech or otherwise, with a grain of salt.]