Apple CEO Tim Cook is "extremely sorry" to customers for inaccuracies in its new mapping software included in iOS 6, and has pointed users to competing services in an open letter to customers released Friday.
With many users and news stories noting multiple inaccuracies in Apple Maps, Cook said Apple "fell short" on the company's goal to make world-class products for customers.
"While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," Cook wrote in the letter.
Apple launched a new version of Maps last week, and the latest version was built from the "ground up," to include new features such as turn-by-turn directions, voice integration, and vector-based maps, Cook said.
More than 100 million iOS devices use the new version of Maps, Cook wrote. "In just over a week, iOS users with the new Maps have already searched for nearly half a billion locations," he said. "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."
The Maps software has misplaced some landmarks, pointed some searchers to wrong addresses and has not included major infrastructure such as bridges.