Related Articles
Didn’t see this coming: Apple boss Tim Cook has apologised for the shambolic debut of Apple Maps — and recommended you use Google, Bing or Nokia maps apps instead.
“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,” Cook admits in an open letter on the Apple website. “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”, Cook continues, neglecting to mention the Maps app was actually Google Maps. “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.”
Turn-by-turn directions proved to be the sticking point in the relationship between Google and Apple, the fruit-flavoured phone-flinger ditching the Big G’s maps app because Google refused to hand over the important feature.
“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,” he writes, although he doesn’t reveal how many have actually found their location. “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.”
But wait — it gets better:
“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.”
Humble stuff indeed. I’m genuinely surprised Apple has apologised: the company usually brazens out its mistakes, insisting scratches on the iPhone are normal and even claiming that defects are your fault. Still, Apple does need to get used to apologising publicly — a court-mandated public apology is due to Samsung soon.
Are you impressed with Apple’s apology? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
