Apple apologizes to customers while admitting they ‘fell short’ with new Maps app

Last week Apple released iOS 6, a new update for the iPhone that introduced a ton of new features like Facebook integration, Passbook, FaceTime over cellular, and a bunch of other apps to make your life easier. One feature, however, has not caught on the way Apple had hoped.

Apple took a chance with iOS 6 in replacing the trustworthy Google Maps with their own custom Maps app. Unfortunately, it hasn't quite lived up to expectations as Apple's Maps was littered with wrong directions, false information, and just an overall disappointment in functionality.

Today, Apple released a statement apologizing for the frustration, while promising they are doing everything they can to make Maps better.

"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," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an open letter to Apple users. "We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better."

He explained: "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," he added. "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."

Cook also suggested a few alternative map apps while they improve Maps. Some of the apps you can download from the App Store include Bing, MapQuest and Waze. You can also use Google or Nokio maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app. Additionally, Safari will be adding the popular Street View aspect of Google Maps to the iOS web browser.

"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," Cook concluded.