Tim Cook apologizes for crappy iOS 6 Maps

The new Maps app is one of the reasons why Apple users refuse to upgrade their device to iOS 6. It is inaccurate, subpar, half-baked and ugly at times. Because of that, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook apologizes and suggests you try other maps.

Tim Cook acknowledges the shortcomings of the Maps app and apologizes to customers through an open letter saying, “We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.”

If that wasn’t bold enough, he went on to suggest that you try the competition’s mapping system. “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.”

Furthermore, Apple also launched a special App Store recommendations to show alternatives to the Maps app.

Personally, I think Tim Cook’s move took a lot of balls and is an admirable one. It’s rare for a CEO of a company such as Apple to openly admit their shortcomings, apologize for it and even credit the competition. However, it is also rare for a company such as Apple to allow an incomplete product to be released. As some would say “It’s very uncharacteristic for Apple.”

{sources 1 & 2}

Diangson Louie

This article was written by Louie Diangson, Managing Editor of YugaTech. You can follow him at @John_Louie.

https://www.yugatech.com

25 Comments

Miss Call says:

12 years ago

“However, it is also rare for a company such as Apple to allow an incomplete product to be released.”

So I guess Apple products that failed, were discontinued, or were still in beta (meaning not yet in final form – like Siri beta) were never released huh? Memory loss, huh? Pippin? Ping? Newton? Others?
- Reply
lost traveler says:

12 years ago

I wonder how Apple managed to deliver their products to their Apple stores…google maps or nokia maps? Apple Maps is so crappy that many people got lost in travel because of it.
- Reply
Match Sumaya says:

12 years ago

Now, it shows what is the difference of Apple without Steve Job. Im sure he will not allow incomplete product/software to get out or he will have a wily alternative for it.
IMO, Apple will now decrease its awesomeness and credibility.
- Reply
Ron says:

12 years ago

Even their icon for Maps looks like an oversight. It’s like you need to jump out of an overpass.

I remember Steve Job’s email to Gundotra about the yellow gradient on the Google icon for an app, that Jobs assigned someone to help fix the issue asap.

â€œItâ€™s very uncharacteristic for Apple.â€

Not really, now that Steve is gone.
- Reply
Iyan Sommerset says:

12 years ago

Actually, if Steve were still around, this would still have happened and then he’d try to downplay the whole thing or claim it’s a “feature” of some sort. (re: Antennagate)

“Apple Maps lets you be in two places at once. Our first successful foray into quantum computing! Innovation!”
- Reply
Steve says:

12 years ago

Imess..Iapolagize
- Reply
humblebee says:

12 years ago

nobody and nothing is perfect.

but to apologize and being true to themselves is being human.

good job tim cook!
- Reply
Budz says:

12 years ago

Even the Maps logo tells you to jump off a bridge…
- Reply
Ruben says:

12 years ago

Lol, yeah… How can you have a flat Eifel Tower? lol
- Reply
alainL says:

12 years ago

This is not admirable. Instead of apologizing and telling them to use other maps product, they should have just fixed it. Written by a true iFan.
- Reply
maigo says:

12 years ago

Apple Maps told me to jump from a cliff just to reach my destination. Good thing Google Maps saved me the day when I jumped off from a cliff.
Whew.
- Reply
humblebee says:

12 years ago

Apple has apologized MANY times:

– The AntennaGate incident, where they gave away bumpers to everyone
– When the iPhone 16GB came out, Apple lowered the price of iPhones by $200. Early adopters complained so they decided to give them $100 credit
– When MobileMe wasn’t working as well, they transitioned to iCloud and extended all existing MobileMe users beyond their subscribed status
– When they lost their EPEAT certification they replied they’ll get re-certified
– When the first iPod Nano got complaints on scratching, they replaced all first gen Nanos with sixth gen Nanos

There’s probably more, but that’s just on top of my head. Apple is a paragon in the world of customer service and they’ve been listening whenever the consumer’s are unhappy.

Leo
from philmug.ph
- Reply
tarush says:

12 years ago

at least Apple admits its shortcomings, unlike the Android fans that are still in denial of their crappy OS performance…
- Reply
wendell says:

12 years ago

Use nokia =)……simple but reliably awesome =)
- Reply
NemOry says:

12 years ago

It’s really crappy. Nokia Maps is best
- Reply
bursky says:

12 years ago

reminds me of this: http://lifehacker.com/5934647/fuck-it-ship-it
- Reply