Apple has promised to fix Apple Maps, the app that's so bad at its job it's had police warning against it. Top Apple chap Tim Cook promises, "We will continue making improvements until it lives up to our incredibly high expectations."
"We've made a number of improvements to Maps", said Cook in answer to a question from an analyst while discussing the company's financial performance, "and will roll out even more improvements throughout the rest of the year."
Cook made the comments while discussing Apple's most recent numbers for the last three months of 2012. Apple shoved an astonishing £34.4bn under its mattress, stuffing an eye-watering £8.3bn profit into the piggy bank. Despite those dizzying numbers, the company's share price fell.
The Maps debacle has proved a huge embarassment for Apple. After ditching Google Maps for a half-baked own-brand Maps app riddled with mistakes and missing data, Apple was forced to contend with Australian police rescuing users sent into the outback by incorrect information. When Google Maps returned to iOS, it was downloaded 10 million times in two days.
Heads were soon to roll, with iOS chief Scott Forstal given his marching orders. Cook was forced to issue an unprecedented public apology -- even recommending alternative apps such as Google, Bing or Yahoo.
Improvements so far have included better 3D graphics, adding 3D imagery in Britain as well as in the US, and corrected data
Do you use Apple maps? Has it improved? What's the best alternative? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 25
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Damien2701 24 January, 2013 13:14
No need. the new google maps app is better than android
anonymous 24 January, 2013 14:25
I agree. 3D images are by far the most important feature that I require from my mapping software. When I want to plan a route from A to B, looking at wobbly aerial photos of the landscape easily allow me to plot my course. Same with public transport, if I need to catch a train then change onto a bus, an overhead image of something that may be a bus station, or possibly Tescos will get the job done.
Apple really are the best at everything.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 14:34
lol what!!!! i am stggered by the above comment. its hopless,
Rich Trenholm 24 January, 2013 16:11
Don't worry Anonymous at 14:34, I detect a hint of sarcasm
anonymous 24 January, 2013 16:21
i use apple maps quite regularly and it seems to work perfectly fine around the area.
used it to find various points of interest and places such as hospitals and friends houses, and it takes me to the exact spot and even lets me know which side of the road its on (handy if in an estate of houses with no numbers etc.)
have seen a definite improvement and look forward to further ones.
long live apple.
anonymous 24 January, 2013 23:35
The comments really are perfetic and hopeless 'long live apple' 'apple really are the best at everything' lmfao
anonymous 25 January, 2013 06:59
It is still completely useless. I had to laugh when I saw St John's Town of Dalry as a district of Edinburgh when it is a Galloway town. Main A-roads in Dumfries and Galloway are marked as 'Galloway' instead of the road number.
I am so happy to get th Google Maps app back. Apple should ditch their maps app and come to some arrangement with Google on this. There is no way they can compete on maps.
Ash Wilson 25 January, 2013 09:32
In my area Apple Maps has been working perfectly fine! The 3D renders for buildings in London are a little sketchy but they are so much better than before! The only issue I had with Apple Maps was when I got directions to go somewhere and it tried to lead me up a one way road...the wrong way. But as soon as I went the right where it was speedy to re-direct.
anonymous 25 January, 2013 11:18
It was diabolical, it's still diabolical and it will remain diabolical for a number of years to come. You can NOT in any way fix the clusterf**k that is Apple Maps in a few months and anyone that tells you different is lying to you. Google has been doing mapping for many years and invested hundreds of millions into doing so. As soon as Google maps was in the App store I had it downloaded to replace Apples junk. To the Apple rules forever idiots and the Apple fawnboy who said it's better than the Android version.. it's not, get a grip and ease up on the Apple worship, it's really quite sad and pathetic. It's only a corporation that makes stuff. Muppets!!
anonymous 25 January, 2013 11:42
@anonymous 24 January, 2013 23:35
brilliant spelling there mate, well done!
James Katt 25 January, 2013 14:13
Actually, iPhone users are now using Maps more often now than before iOS 6.
Apple has palpably improved Maps. And it now has more features - such as turn by turn directions that Google would not previously allow on Maps.
anonymous 25 January, 2013 16:06
@anonymong oh I didnt know they where giving out english lessons on cnet! Idiot you think I give a toss about my spelling.
anonymous 26 January, 2013 04:21
@James Katt - With all due respect but.... you're full of s**t. People may be using maps more now, but it's Google maps they are using, especially now that it does include TBT directions, and public transport links, and Streetview, but hey... Apple maps has flyover... and in the odd place where 3D modelling is, well... modelled, it's ok at best, well f*****g useful. Palpable improvements? you mean like putting some cities back where they are supposed to be, or within a few miles anyway, mainly it's still c**p. Do you really think that if so few were using maps before IOS 6 that Tim Cook would have apologised for that rubbish or Forstall would have been shown the door... I think not.
anonymous 26 January, 2013 14:55
I have not had a single problem with it sofar, I'm a late joiner to ios.. That said I have been using Mac's since the 90's. I love almost everything apple has ever made (i own a lot of it).. I hear a lot of hate with maps!! Does any one remember how crap google maps were when they started? I think it was a bold move that they have pulled off amazingly considering. Look at it now its still young and Almost so much better than googles. I think in a years time people will be looking back and wondering why they ever used gmaps.
anonymous 27 January, 2013 01:59
@anonymous 14:55 - You're an Apple Fawnboy and an idiot. An idiot who obviously doesn't get around much. Google maps might not have been the best, but it didn't put cities & towns up to 50 miles away from their actual location. Your phrase "still young and almost so much better than googles" simply highlights the fact that you are an idiot. I should btw point out that I do use an iPhone and iPad. I also use OS X (although I wasn't stupid enough to pay for an overpriced Apple machine). So this doesn't come from a place of being a fandroid or something (although I own android tablet as well) but simply from a place of using these things, reading your comment and knowing you are an idiot.
anonymous 27 January, 2013 17:44
anonymous 24 January, 2013 23:35 - The fact you can't spell really messes up your argument. Idiot.
anonymous 27 January, 2013 01:59 - As above, "Fawnboy"? Seriously?
anonymous 27 January, 2013 18:36
@anonymong 27 jan 17:44 you do realise some people have dyslexia c@#t face! What were you abused as a child or something it sure seems like it! Again because you obviously got amnesia I dont give a toss about a spelling mistake and how does it mess up my argument? Leave you mother's house house boy and get a life!
anonymous 27 January, 2013 19:45
Ah, foul-mouthed Internet trolls insulting people because they pointed out a simple mistake. Even of you have dyslexia (as you offensively claim) there is such a thing as a spell checker.
anonymous 27 January, 2013 20:04
anonymous 27 January, 2013 18:36 - How am I an amnesiac? You haven't told me you don't value spelling, so am I supposed to have ESP? If you don't give a toss about spelling or grammar, I have to ask, what is the world coming to?
It messes up your argument because people don't take you seriously. The world, surprisingly enough, values some form of education (also, spelling anonymous wrong when it's in front of you on the computer is pretty sad).
anonymous 27 January, 2013 19:45 - +1.
anonymous 27 January, 2013 21:12
@anonymous 19:45 20:04 anonymongs lol! Because i really thought it ended in with g! You need to get over yourself, you really are funny people, if your even different people that is. If you take I like that when every time someone makes a spelling mistake, well what can I say, have fun with yourself.
anonymous 28 January, 2013 00:52
@anonymous 17:44 - Fawnboy was a deliberate misspelling you idiot... as in fawning over Apple and/or their products.
fawn 1 (fôn)
intr.v. fawned, fawn·ing, fawns
1. To exhibit affection or attempt to please, as a dog does by wagging its tail, whining, or cringing.
2. To seek favor or attention by flattery and obsequious behavior.
Maybe you should look up satiric misspelling before you seek to make a fool out of yourself again you moron.
anonymous 28 January, 2013 17:59
@anonymous 00:52 lmfao today sir il keep it simple, get a life.
anonymous 8 February, 2013 14:31
@ anonymous 27 January, 2013 19:45 - I do love it when someone criticises another person for a spelling error without checking their own post...
PS. Before you criticise me for the spelling of 'criticise', it is the correct UK spelling. Look it up if you like.
Ah, foul-mouthed Internet trolls insulting people because they pointed out a simple mistake. Even of you have dyslexia (as you offensively claim) there is such a thing as a spell checker.
anonymous 19 February, 2013 10:11
At the moment as painful as it is to say, long live google, apple maps is beyond a joke how can they get it so so wrong, why not just roll the mapping system out per country rather than world wide and mess it up so bad.
anonymous 19 February, 2013 20:18
I have been using Apple for a long time. I like Apple, but it will take an incredible amount of time for Maps to be fixed to be able to even come close to Google Maps quality. I doubt there will ever be street views. I do not see Apple investing in Apple cars to take street view photos, hence 3D flyover.
I dont see them implementing Public Transport functions, even Google has had headaches obtaining data from public transit authorities around the world. So it was an easier route for Apple to drop it and have third parties do it for them. The only way it will get fixed is if Apple literally invests in a Google type setup, a lot of people to be able to rectify errors reported etc etc, list will go on.
but in the end, until they invest in the ground work, they will continue to be inferior.Which is a shame, I like Apple Maps, but Google just works.