Apple Maps isn’t so powerful after all
We already knew this right? Apple Maps totally flopped during its debut and Apple apologized to us.
Apple really meant its apology by adding a new Maps section to its App Store, letting people know its ok to use third-party competition while we sort out our giant mess called Maps.
But now Apple really, really means it. They are beyond sorry. They now admit that their Maps app isn’t so powerful after all.
Technology blogs picked up on the fact that Apple changed its description of Maps on the iOS 6 page. Here’s what it used to say:
“Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps gives you interactive 3D views and the stunning Flyover feature. All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever.”
This is what it says today:
“Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps gives you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature. All in a beautiful vector-based interface that scales and zooms with ease.”
A 9to5 Mac reader suggested the line change on Twitter yesterday, tweeting “@9to5Mac Tim Cook should consider changing this line…!!!!” including a photo of the Maps screenshot on Apple’s homepage.
Just how bad are Apple Maps? Well they’ve shown wrong addresses, left out significant milestone marks and some of those beautiful 3D views aren’t really that beautiful.
In an apology letter, CEO Tim Cook did say that the more people use Maps, the better it will come. And he’s right.
Google Maps is so powerful because it has nearly eight years of data on it from use by millions upon millions of people. Apple couldn’t possible expect its Maps to be better than Google Maps overnight.
Maybe Apple should have thought about using its $110 billion it has in the bank and just buying all of the data from Google Maps.
What’s your take? Like Maps? Hate Maps? Let us know below.




October 1st, 2012
Apple maps works flawlessly in my country and Google’s maps doesn’t support turn-by-turn.
October 7th, 2012
There is already an update to Apple Maps.