The Internet gets angry about iOS 6 Maps

Apple’s new Maps app for iOS 6 has certainly set down a marker – but unfortunately, it’s probably not in the right place. The new service, which replaces Google Maps for anyone who updates their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to the latest version of iOS, has attracted the ire of users for being, well, not as good as Google Maps.

The BBC gives a few examples: towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Solihull are missing while others are in the wrong place; users reporting a furniture museum apparently located in a river; and many satellite images being obscured by huge areas of cloud. There are also complaints about the routing sending people miles out of their way or the wrong way down one way streets, and local searches resulting in strange results.

Apple has remained silent in the face of the criticism, but may have to speak up sooner or later. Tom Tom, which provides some data for Maps, has already defended its involvement by saying its info provides no more than the foundation of the service.

But the Internet has the scent of blood in its nostrils: “Google Maps” is trending on Twitter worldwide, and there’s already a tumblr blog, The Amazing iOS 6 Maps, posting screenshots of the app’s bizarre behaviour or terrible image quality.

Google Maps has been removed from the default iOS homescreen, and the company has yet to offer a replacement app – but any user frustrated with Apple’s Maps can still access the Google service through their web browser.

Have you had a bad experience with iOS 6 Maps? Share with the group below in the comments section.

UPDATE: Apple has released a statement. Spokesperson Trudy Miller told All Things D:

“Customers around the world are upgrading to iOS 6 with over 200 new features including Apple Maps, our first map service … We are excited to offer this service with innovative new features like Flyover, turn by turn navigation, and Siri integration. We launched this new map service knowing it is a major initiative and that we are just getting started with it. Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better.”

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Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.