The Apple manager who oversaw the company's mapping team has been fired, according to reports, as Tim Cook and company scramble to get its navigation software back on track.
Bloomberg cites "people familiar with the move", who didn't want to be named because Apple hasn't made the information public yet. The move follows former iOS boss Scott Forstall being shown the door and designer Jony Ive put in charge of Apple's software design.
Apple higher-up Eddy Cue is supposedly responsible for firing Williamson, and is said to have turned to third-party mapping pros in a bid to improve its disastrous new Maps app.
Meanwhile TomTom, which provides the shonky maps used in Apple's cartographical car crash, is reportedly being poked by Apple to fix broken landmark and navigation data.
In a wholly uncharacteristic move, Apple offered an open apology for its borked app, with head honcho Tim Cook saying he was "extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers", and even urging riled-up Apple customers to use Google or Nokia's maps services while the iPhone-producing company fixed its shocking software.
Our head-to-head comparison highlighted that Apple's Maps app just isn't as good when it comes to satellite imagery, public transport or map detail. Google is reportedly drawing up a new Maps app for iOS, but despite the cries of dismay from iPhone owners across the nation, it's not yet been released.
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Peter Hudson 28 November, 2012 11:03
Much as the media sites like to moan on about it. Sales of iPhones haven't been affected. Kind of looks like people really aren't that bothered about maps.
anonymous 28 November, 2012 11:40
you seem very sensitive about your apple devices and that's always the case with a lot of iphone users they buy a iPhone even when it's a fail and I think you'll find most people would of bumped into the maps issue after they got the phone and I think a fair percentage of user will look elsewhere sooner or later, obviously there always going to have customers but it could be growing quicker like android. the ophone5 has got issues and that's that and if peeps want to buy it then they can crack on.
anonymous 28 November, 2012 14:26
I like the iphone 5 and all apple products now I think about it because they are expensive.
anonymous 28 November, 2012 16:11
I was waiting for the iPhone 5, so I could upgrade it from my 4s, but 5 being such a disappointment, I am looking forward to trying the Samsung Note II or the S3. Since I have upgraded to iO6, my phone has become slower and whenever I use the video recording it powers off. Luckily I only have to deal with the iPhone for another 15 days till my contract finishes on the 4s.
Many of my friends also are switching from Iphone 4 or 4s to Samsung and I am sure there will be many more...
Matt Winston. 28 November, 2012 17:47
I think all this map stuff is over hyped. Why can't people use the Google Maps website??
anonymous 28 November, 2012 21:22
As an Android user and fan, I can honestly say that I hardly ever use the maps app.
However I remember when Google Maps first started. It was crap at first, but back then nobody was bothered because it was amazing to see maps and its functions on a PC.
Years later on and lots of development, refinement and updates, Google Maps is great. Clearly it took time to get to that standard.
It's still full of errors and mistakes though. e.g. the turn-by-turn directs you to my street through a neighbouring road, across three back gardens and a stream !
anonymous 29 November, 2012 02:10
Peter Hudson
I don't know if I'm in the minority but I was intending to switch to the iPhone 5 as I'm not convinced I'd like a large screen. Coming from Android to be fair I didn't even realise Apple users didn't have free turn by turn until ios6 since it's been standard on Android for so long. I don't use it very often but when I do it tends to be urgent and it needs to be accurate. My contract has been up 6 months and I've ran out of patience. No google maps app at least promised in a week means no iPhone. Of course no Nexus stock means no nexus either. I want to buy a phone outright as I think next years phone will again go to a new level and be 4G futur proofed. So s3 or one x+. For £100 cheaper at £380 its gotta be the s3. cnet -> fix your comments page i cant see what im typing
anonymous 29 November, 2012 08:35
@anonymous 29 November, 2012 02:10
The reason turn by turn navigation wasn't on the iPhone is because Google wouldn't let Apple have it, nor one or two other features that are on Google Maps for Android.
That's part of the reason Apple decided to go their own way on maps.
Apple Maps has this feature and by and large this is considered the best and most usable feature of this incomplete and underdeveloped app. The biggest failings are with inacurate and out of date data, which comes from their supplier Tom Tom.
Makes you wonder about Tom Tom Sat Navs ?
anonymous 29 November, 2012 09:13
I've got a built-in Sat Nav in my car and don't really need one on my phone.