Apple CEO Tim Cook has admitted that Apple Maps was one big fail. He has apologized for the faulty application and even suggests using alternatives like Bing and the Google map website.
Apple's Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook admitted on Friday that Apple Maps, which is included on the iPhone 5 and the new iOS 6 software update, has a series of issues.
Apple received some negative feedback after deciding to get rid of the Google Maps app which has been pre-installed on all iPhone since they were first created in 2007. Apple decided to create their own Maps app to replace the Google map on the new iPhone and on iOS 6. Apple started to see Google as a competitor due to its Android software for phones.
When Apple decided to get rid of the Google Maps app, users expected the Apple Maps app to be a better alternative, but users have found consistent mistakes with the application and it is less convenient to use than Google Maps. Users complained of getting lost and being confused over the new addition. Apple Maps has wrond addresses, mislabeled landmarks and other mistakes. For instance, a farm in Dublin, Ireland was labeled as an airport by the app, which caused much confusion. A bar was also listed as a zoo.
Now Tim Cook is apologizing.
"With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better," Cook said in the letter published on Apple's website.
Cook says that over 100 million people are using the new Maps app and he promises that it will get better as more people start to use it, however it still needs major improvements which Apple will work on.
In the meantime, Cook actually suggests turning to other apps and websites while Apple tries to work out the kinks of their own maps app.
"While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," Cook says.
This move is a bit ironic since Apple specifically replaced the Google Maps app with their own version. Some are seeing the apology as weakness on Cook's part and Apple fans are comparing him to Steve Jobs, saying apologizing and suggesting alternative is something Jobs would never do.
"Steve Jobs would never apologize. He'd tell us to stop using the maps wrong. And we'd strangely agree," said Twitter user @hawsk5999.
However, some see Cook's apology as a strong move. They respect his decision to admit faults and to go as far as to suggest using alternatives from competitors.
"Wow, I have such new found respect Tim Cook for apologizing for Maps and having the b***s to suggest alternatives," said user @reybango.
While Cook suggests using alternative, Google is working to develop a new maps app for iOS services that is expected to be available by the end of the year.
Here is the full text of Cook's apology letter:
To our customers,
At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.
We launched Maps initially with the first version of iOS. As time progressed, we wanted to provide our customers with even better Maps including features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, Flyover and vector-based maps. In order to do this, we had to create a new version of Maps from the ground up.
There are already more than 100 million iOS devices using the new Apple Maps, with more and more joining us every day. In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations. The more our customers use our Maps the better it will get and we greatly appreciate all of the feedback we have received from you.
While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app.
Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard.
Tim Cook
Apple's CEO
