Apple Boss Apologises For IOS6 Maps

Apple are one of those companies that made its name by telling us what we wanted. Not the other way around.

With the release of iOS6 Apple removed the Google Maps application and replaced it with their own solution. Unfortunately, as thousands of iPhone users found out, the new Apple solution caused more problems than it solved.

Now Apple boss Tim Cook has written an open letter to customer to not only apologise for their failing, but also to offer alternative solutions.

Here’s the full text:

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

I upgraded my iPhone 4 a couple of days ago and haven’t been able to find anything using the new Apple app. It really sucks.

Nokia’s maps work pretty well and are a good alternative. Bing’s also work pretty well. And of course Google Maps is the solution we’ve all been using for years.