Apple CEO Tim Cook Publishes Open Letter Apologizing for Maps

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Posted September 28, 2012 at 1:39pm by iClarified

Apple CEO Tim Cook has published an open letter to customers apologizing for falling short on Maps.

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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
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Apple CEO Tim Cook Publishes Open Letter Apologizing for Maps

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Ken - September 29, 2012 at 5:17pm

Spelling mistake or is that what's on your mind most of the time?

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Happy Customer - September 29, 2012 at 5:04pm

I am not an apple fan boy nor an apple hater. I don't own any apple products except for an iPhone and iPad. I really don't understand what all the hate and negative comments on apples new maps app. I have used it extensively the past two weeks and really have not found many errors. Sure, a search or two came up wrong, but that's only when I enter (or speak) a specified place instead of a specific address. I understand this is a small sample and other users may have found more errors. As more an more users report these errors, maps will become more accurate. Google had 10 years of this to get where they are today. With all the iPhone users out there Apple will get this app great in very little time. As for the great part of maps, the 3D view. The 3D views in apples maps are far far more superior to googles street view. The really nailed the 3D views, especially in the popular downtown areas. I wish someday, every place of earth, including my house, will have the 3D view. It is definitely possible. It all starts with this maps app. Can you imagine being able to explore every part of this earth in 3D someday? I myself have been all over New York, and San Francisco exploring in 3D maps. I checked out Paris and the Eiffel Tower a well, though a non 3D view of the Eiffel Tower is no excuse for Apple. All in all, yes the apple maps is not perfect. But it is very usable, with great accuracy, especially it's built in turn by turn navigation, which I use with Siri. It will only get better so I really don't understand what all the hate is about.

Gary Dun - September 29, 2012 at 2:28pm

Tim Cook, "This is bull dust". Apple should have launched "Apple Crappy Maps" in the appstore and leave the number one map app "Google Maps" on the phone. Or why not just release the Google Maps app back to the appstore is already exists you have removed it. My iPad and iPhone is crap.

Iignoretroll - September 29, 2012 at 2:24am

It is really funny how a lot people hate the new map Apps. I think this a very critical move for Apple. By creating and using their own Maps application, Apple does not have to pay Google for using their API from Google Maps. What does this mean to us? Apple can use the data collected to make a better apps and iOS and keep creating good quality products with a substancial price.

jahmed80 - September 28, 2012 at 11:07pm

Leggoman... Wtf r u trying to say man?!?!

Fsg - September 28, 2012 at 8:16pm

Can you just allowed us to go back to 5.1.1 so that we just restore back to previous version and those who like the iOS 6 can stay and enjoy the apple maps there nothing to appologize!

Arriman - September 28, 2012 at 6:00pm

Im glad I'm still on 5.1.1 on my 4s.

Jay - September 28, 2012 at 10:22pm

Kudos!

UsesMapsToGetStuffDone - September 28, 2012 at 5:03pm

Dear Mr. Cook, Apology not accepted. This should have been anticipated and you should repair it not by hoping that your users will give you enough information to make it bearable, but to restore what worked and leave this under development until it is ready. What you seem to have forgotten is that we rely on our phones to get stuff done, and we pay a lot of money for that. Apple made a user-hostile choice. This apology doesn't own up to it, nor does it take steps to fix it. You should restore a choice of using google maps data for the maps app, and figure out how to make the best out of data you can get while people use that. You'll see that people will periodically switch back to the new version to check whether it is ready, and leave the switch on as soon as they can do so without disrupting their productivity.

Bill bye - September 29, 2012 at 2:02pm

Have you ever used the maps app? It's not broken.... People hate change and are complaining about it google maps was slow and annoying. Apple made maps better

DarkKent - September 28, 2012 at 4:08pm

Crazy thing is, for where I be locally. the maps app works pretty well. haven't tested it abroad yet. just wished they added more 3d n flyover locations... but just reading Tim Cook Saying It Will Improve somehow assures me. lol... Loves My iPhone 5

Lollll - September 28, 2012 at 4:03pm

I buy iphone 5 not bc map anyway, i dont use map 24/7 stand alone gps go get one damn ppl make it so complicate cant blame the dog

achief - September 28, 2012 at 3:37pm

Im still waiting for Apple to make the Iphone 4 right

Adcpolo - September 28, 2012 at 5:55pm

Keep waiting

NightElf - September 28, 2012 at 3:16pm

First of all it was great from Tim Cook to apologize for the Maps App. Steve Jobs would have said "you're holding your phone wrong". So this is i a real Plus for Apple at all. The only problem they have now is that they stand now for everything, we used to hate in Microsoft. Isolating, Monopolizing and yet even when they apologize they say it like "it might be bad but its still the best user experience you can have, coming with the best phone in the world, you will make it better by time (just think what would happen if Google said something like that)". But there is still hope with this new CEO, if i may quote: "Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world." So he understand that their products are not the best in the world (but they try); and who doesn't know the old saying "a fault confessed is half redressed".

iceblu121 - September 28, 2012 at 3:14pm

Creaking apple maps couldn't even find a train station last night when I needed it!!

mike - September 28, 2012 at 2:48pm

I want my maps back

ricardo - September 28, 2012 at 2:43pm

Well Tim. Apologies accepted. Now, can you please release the unlocked version so we (people living abroad) can buy one?????

criminal record - September 28, 2012 at 2:34pm

it is better for the 100 million devices report a problem that can be fixed, rather than 10 developers try to find it themselves, not to mention....all over the world fixes, not just north america. chill out, it is an App....a FREE Maps App, i could remember buying Book Maps(not updated via software update), you have to buy a new Map($$$$). And you have alternatives, and still bitching. Plus google will be adding street view to their web app in less than 2 weeks. Apple will fix this in less than 10 months, when google took 10 years. For me that live in a big city, i dont need a fix, so that makes it even faster for fixes where it is needed.

DanCJ - September 28, 2012 at 7:00pm

The maps app isn't free. It's part of what we paid for when we bought our iPhones.

vix - September 28, 2012 at 2:25pm

We are the R&D team.

Thatcher - September 28, 2012 at 2:19pm

I honestly don't see what the massive comotion is about. I've used Apple Maps on my iPhone 5 all this week while travelling with my girlfriend and I've not had one problem. Yeah some of the names are wrong and other little annoying bits but people need to remember that this is a new app and like new apps they will develop into something loads better. Take a look at Google maps when that first launched, it was just as bad. You have to keep in mind it took Google 10 years to get their maps to what they are today and i can guarantee it won't take Apple that long. I do prefer Google maps and will be downloading the coming Google standalone app but come on, those of you with an iPhone 5 have just got free Satnav by Apple which in time will be amazing.

iCrunch - September 28, 2012 at 1:52pm

Solid. I like the new Maps app myself and have used it for 3 months during the iOS 6 beta period. It has always worked beautifully for me here in L.A. area. Buddy of mine up in San Francisco says he hasn't had any issues with it either. #Apple_Rulez

Simon - September 28, 2012 at 1:49pm

Nice damage control Tim. Now fix the damn thing.

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