One of the most embarrassing happenings in recent Apple history was the launch of its own Maps offering with iOS 6. People were getting lost and wondering why Apple decided to cut Google out of the OS at all. Google has since released its own iOS version of its apps product, and so far the feedback has been impressive.
During today’s Q1 2013 earnings call, Cook discussed where Apple is with the product, saying “We’re going to keep working on this until it lives up to our incredible high standards.”
Before completely apologizing for the launch, Apple said time and again that it was very early days for its own version of Maps, and that it was “just getting started.“
In September, Cook finally apologized for the release, saying:
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
Today was a bit of a repeat of this statement.
Cook addressed the situation after an analyst’s question, and promised “continued improvements.”
We’ve made a number of improvements to Maps, and will roll out even more improvements throughout the rest of the year. We will continue making improvements until it lives up to our incredibly high expectations.
One can only hope, because some of us still like to be on time for appointments.
Started by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne, Apple has expanded from computers to consumer electronics over the last 30 years, officially changing their name from Apple Computer, Inc. to Apple, Inc. in January 2007. Among the key offerings from Apple’s product line are: Pro line laptops (MacBook Pro) and desktops (Mac Pro), consumer line laptops (MacBook Air) and desktops (iMac), servers (Xserve), Apple TV, the Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server operating systems, the iPod, the...
Timothy D. Cook is Apple’s CEO, who took over from Steve Jobs on 25 August 2011. In his previous position as COO, Cook was responsible for all of the company’s worldwide sales and operations, including end-to-end management of Apple’s supply chain, sales activities, and service and support in all markets and countries. He also headed Apple’s Macintosh division and played a key role in the continued development of strategic reseller and supplier relationships, ensuring flexibility in response to an...
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