Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes for iOS maps

In a letter, Apple's chief executive, Tim Cook, said Apple ‘‘fell short’’ in its commitment:

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. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

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.

Cook went on to write that people can try downloading mapping apps like Bing, MapQuest, or Google.

In his Tech Lab review of the new operating system on Thursday, Globe technology columnist Hiawatha Bray wrote:

The new map feature has already earned notoriety for its bizarre satellite images of landmarks such as New York’s Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges. But more annoying is the lack of features we once took for granted when Apple used maps from archrival Google Inc.

Bray did praise the turn-by-turn directions that are part of the maps.

Are you surprised Cook would apologize? Are you a fan of the maps. Discuss in our comments section.

Also, we asked readers about the problems they've been having with iOS 6. Here's what they said.