As such, Apple took the decision to essentially wipe out Google maps from the latest upgrade to the iOS software, on which all iPads and iPhones run.
Instead, Apple has designed its own mapping and directions applications in-house. The company promised the new service would contain many useful features, and indeed, since its release earlier this week, the Apple maps app has garnered some positive reviews for features such as turn-by-turn directions and a “flyover” mode that presents a sort of bird’s-eye view.
Unfortunately, however, most of the overall reviews have been far from positive.
Users quickly found all manner of glitches, inaccurate data and missing locations. In one instance, the Hoover Dam seemed to disappear midway across the river. Rendering errors left myriad bridges, roads and runways around the world hopelessly warped, as though they were built in close proximity to a black hole. In perhaps the most famous blunder, Apple’s new maps service put an empty space where the statue of liberty should be.
Within hours, a Web site was set up to collect all the geographic mishaps.
It is likely Apple will quickly get to work on fixing the numerous errors in its software. In anticipation of the maps app, the company has purchased several smaller mapmaking firms in recent years. Even so, Google has more than a half-decade head start on building maps software.
It is unclear whether Google will build a standalone maps app for iOS devices in the near future. This week, the company unveiled an upgrade to the version of its maps software running on Android devices. Apple users can still access Google maps through their Web browsers.
“Apple’s Maps app is the worse [sic] piece of software to ever get released from Apple,” wrote one user, a0me, on Apple’s Support Communities forum.
“I’m seriously reconsidering purchasing an iPhone 5 because of that single app, as much as it pains me to say it.” Another, dawson, wrote: “My address is the same as another in the next town and the map finds it in the wrong town no matter what town or zip code I enter. The navigation isn’t much better. Apple should be ashamed.”
One user, who described himself as a longstanding Apple customer, referred to Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs, saying: “I don’t believe your previous CEO would have ever permitted this application to have been released in its present form.”
