Apple's Tim Cook makes brazen public apology for Apple Maps

Cook recommends iOS 6 users to download map apps from its staunchest rivals, including Bing.

 

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Tim Cook has said sorry for Apple Maps

In the wake of a highly-successful launch for the iPhone 5, Apple faced a rare setback after users of its new iOS 6 software began reporting several problems with the new mapping system.
Many users were left frustrated with the system, which has geographical errors, missing information and lacks popular Google Maps features such as Street View and public transport directions (one of the most commonly used features for people living in cities).

MSN UK compiled some of the more-outrageous examples of Maps gone wrong - and you can see those pictures in the gallery below.

Now, in an unbelievable move - Apple's CEO, Tim Cook, has gone on record and publicly apologised for not delivering the "best experience possible" in its Maps app.
Perhaps, even more damning is Cook's recommendation to "try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps." You can try out Bing Maps for yourself here.

Tim Cook's full apology follows:

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


Opinion: What do you make of this - was Cook right to apologise? Leave your comments below.

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In pictures: Riciculous iOS 6 maps mistakes