Apple Maps on iPhone, iPad iOS 6 bugged

An entire city is in the ocean, a farm has been labeled as an airport, highways end in the middle of nowhere and a hospital now covers the entire center of British city Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's home.

Welcome to the new world of Apple Maps that greeted iPhone and iPad users when they downloaded the highly anticipated update to the consumer giant's mobile software platform, iOS 6.

Apple Inc's home-grown Maps feature was introduced with much fanfare in June by Apple's software chief Scott Forstall and is a direct challenge to the same service offered by friend-turned-rival Google Inc.

But the app is already facing criticism from users globally for a number of geographical errors, missing information and because it lacks features that made Google Maps so popular, including public transit directions, comprehensive traffic data or street view pictures.

Apple Maps has replaced Google Maps, which is no longer available on iOS 6.

Many users who downloaded Apple's iOS 6 software, released on Wednesday, took to Twitter and online forums to express their frustration at the glitches.

The people who thought the world was flat were more accurate cartographers than Apple Maps, @RayneBradley said on Twitter.

Apple Maps also have errors in business listings. I went to call a local taxi driver and it was a taxidermist (seriously), said @TomDavenport on Twitter.

Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said the company launched the new service knowing it was a major initiative.

Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get, she said. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better.

The criticism comes on the eve of the launch of Apple's iPhone 5, which hits stores around the globe on Friday. The iPhone 5 comes pre-loaded with the new iOS 6 software and Maps.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Cognizant Technology Solutions Q1 net profit rises 16.6%, maintains outlook

Windows 8 hits 100 million sales, tweaks for mini-tablets in works

Google Glass picks up early feedback on privacy issues

NIIT launches 'Cloud Campus' targeting students, professionals