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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Apple CEO apologizes for map app, promises improvement, touts rival

By: Barbara Ortutay

Posted: 09/29/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

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Tim Cook: 'working non-stop' (CP)

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NEW YORK -- Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized Friday for the company's error-ridden new mobile mapping service, pledging to improve the application installed on tens of millions of smartphones and, in an unusual mea culpa, inviting frustrated consumers to turn to the competition.

In a letter posted online Friday, Cook said Apple "fell short" of its own expectations.

"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 nonstop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard," Cook said.

Apple released an update to its iPhone and iPad operating system last week that replaced Google Maps with Apple's own map application. But users quickly complained the new software offered fewer details, lacked public transit directions and misplaced landmarks, among other problems.

People have been flocking to social media to complain and make fun of the glitches, which include judging landscape features by their names. The hulking Madison Square Garden arena in New York, for instance, shows up as green space because of the word "garden."

Until the software is improved, Cook recommended people use competing map applications to get around -- a rare move for the world's most valuable company, which prides itself on producing industry-leading gadgets that easily surpass rivals.

Apple has made missteps in the past -- even under late founder and CEO Steve Jobs, whose perfectionism was legendary.

"I think they are clearing the air and, more importantly, clarifying why they had to do their own maps," said Tim Bajarin, a Creative Strategies analyst.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 29, 2012 B4

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