#29 Apple's 'mapology'

The Williamsburg Bridge in New York, as seen by the Apple Maps app at launch.

(Credit: Screenshot by James Martin/CNET)

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Apple's Maps app was released as part of iOS 6 in late September. Besides a new look and feel, the main feature is spoken turn-by-turn directions, something the software had lacked. Apple's own software also adds a snazzy 3D view of select cities using imagery captured from flyovers, something only users on Apple's newer devices can take advantage of.

Despite the niceties, the software came under fire for the accuracy of some of its data and other shortcomings compared with the Google-powered app it replaced. Shortly after its release, and subsequent scrutiny, Apple CEO Tim Cook publicly apologized for the software and promised improvements. The ouster of iOS software chief Scott Forstall was said to be linked to that apology, and Forstall's unwillingness to sign it.

In a subsequent interview with BusinessWeek this month, Cook said, "We screwed up. That's the fact."

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