Q: Apple maps very disappointing

Derek from Sydney, Australia again.  Iphone5 customer. 

I have been following this thread for 4 days now.  I am disappointed in Apple's lack of response to the genuine problem with their service.  I am happy with their products (iphone5 and ipad3 are both amazing!) but when Apple decided to launch their own apps for mapping, messaging etc they are now providing a service.

When my Gmail or Google calendar sync setup stop providing their functions, I do not blame Sparrow or iOS Mail or iOS Calendar - I email/call/post to Google directly; (who respond promptly and helpfully.)

That is what I and many others who are having problems with the Apple Map service are doing here.  

And yet there is no official information about how Apple are actually fixing their service! We are completely in the dark.  This forum seems to be the only place I could find where we might be able to discuss the problem in a way that might get Apple's attention (and eventual response), but even this forum itself has been censored (see Jingling's post and subsequent banning - I don't believe this is an acceptable way to treat a paying customer).  I have submitted feedback to their feedback service, I've tweeted to Tim Cook's Twitter account and even emailed him directly (this email did not bounce so I assume someone has received it at apple).  The Apple employees I have spoken to are equally uninformed of what is being done to rectify this, so they cannot help me either.  Are there any other channels we can viably use to get an official response to this?

Recall the Antenna-gate issue of the iphone4.  Steve Jobs held a press conference and addressed the issue personally with his solutions (which were acceptable: a bumper to insulate the user's hand from the metal casing).  To date Tim Cook has officially responded by saying, "we are doing everything we can to make Maps better".  But what is this exactly?  Suggested errors submitted to their feedback site have not been fixed, and there is no process of accountability here either - we don't know if that error submission was assigned to be fixed, by who, with a timeline etc. 

Secondly there are the alternatives he has listed, "Bing, MapQuest, Waze or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites."  Yes, these are alternatives, but you are now providing a service to your customers, and in suggesting we use other services you are merely deflecting the root problem - the errors with your own service!

My core problem with Maps is the inaccuracy of pin placement.  I'm a photographer in Sydney - when I receive PDF job sheets, they have the address or name of venue on them.  I load this address at home, where I have reliable WIFI, and load the end location with sufficient context (neighbouring streets etc).  These locations are usually in the Sydney CBD and walking distance.  Since the deployment of Apple Maps, these pin locations have often been incorrect.  In these cases, I've wandered around asking people and resorting to the Google Maps web service - but in more than one instance, since I was now out in the field, data over 3G couldn't be acquired (reception issue probably) and it was of no help.  I cannot even use this service in the above method (pre-lookup address at home, through WIFI) because the Google Maps web service does not cache map data; if I close Safari and re-open I have to search from scratch over 3G. 

So in summary, two things:  As paying customers we need to be more informed.  Even a simple tweet would suffice (hopefully more, though).  Is there anyone on this forum who has any contacts within Apple who can give us an update of what the game plan is?

Finally, I'm loathe to invest in a 3rd party mapping app, but will do so if that is my only option.  Is Apple going to provide a better interim solution (as Steve Job's did with his iPhone4 bumpers?) or should I bite the bullet and buy something like Tom Tom.  The reason why I hesitate, is that I have no idea if this solution will be any better, or meet my needs without forking over cash and trying it - there is no way to test before buying.  For instance - I downloaded the free Maps+ app that was suggested, but it was unable to find, through it's search, some of the locations that I needed (that WERE able to be found by Apple Maps and the Google Maps web service - Apple had an incorrect pin placement, though).

What would REALLY satisfy me is to access to the iOS 5 Maps app (alongside the new Apple Maps if need be) in the interim period while Tim Cook improves his app (I'm more than happy to provide corrections, error reports etc to help him do this, but I see this is taking many months and I need a solution as soon as possible). 

Thanks for your time, and sorry for the long rant!

Derek. 

I have read all posts in this forum and it only has proved what it was obvious: The fanatism of the fanboys, for whom Apple is almost a religion to be followed with eyes closed. The history has already proved that fanatism leads to nowhere except to anger.

The fanboys seem to live at "Alice in the Wonderland". I even imagine if Sigmund Freud could explain this fanatism.

If Apple God says: Faeces is good and will be sold in a beautiful packing, the next day the fanboys will form long lines at the Apple Store for buying.

I personaly use iPhone and Android, Mac and Microsoft, and all of them have their goods and their the bads, and the only truth is that they only want one thing, and all of you know what it is: money, just money. I'm not saying that this is wrong, because we work for money too.

But what it is unacceptable is the false advertising of Apple Maps.

Just one question for the fanboys: If Apple launched its own phone carrier and the iPhone stopped making calls for many regions, what would you do? What would you say, it's OK, at least it works as an iPod?

Many of us has bought an iPhone or an Android for making calls, using apps and looking or finding directions with maps.

It seems that Apple is loosing directions. For example: I can't install Mountain Lion on my MacBook white because it doesn't support this new OS. On the other hand, Windows 8 can be installed on older PCs.

I hope the fanboys know some history, but back in 1996/1997 Apple almost went bankrupt, and Bill Gates from Microsoft helped save Apple from bankruptcy. Gates and Microsoft invested $150 million in Apple. At that time, Steve Jobs said: "Apple almost went bankrupt because It failed to innovate". But for sure, Steve Jobs was thinking and inovation and functionality.

I used to admire Apple products because of inovation, functionality and easy of use, but it seems that functionality and easy of use stopped in time.

If you fanboys help us pressing Apple for better products, we all will be gaining.

Agree. Better products and in this case, the simple, legally enforceable option of reverting to the product we purchased - IOS5 Maps. IOS6 Maps does not work for many people for a lot of reasons and none of the options suggested in Tim Cook's apology solve the problem.

Not official response? Not being kept updated?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19760978

Are you living in a cave?

It's been all over the news in the UK and elsewhere.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/sep/28/apple-maps-tim-cook-apology

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/9573974/In-full-Tim-Cooks-Apple-Maps -apology.html

Your post reads an awful lot like trolling - "Just one question for the fanboys:"

Not excusing what has happened, but it is clear that they doing all they can to fix the issue. Hardly a show stopper though is it.

If you can't livw without maps - gosh, how DID we manage before smartphones - then roll back to your backup.

You do have one don't you?

Please read the thread. That is the entire issue - a rollback using backup does not work. Apple is not allowing it since 26th.  That is all that most of the people on this thread want - a simple ability to roll back to IOS5 Maps until Apple fixes its own maps.  If that means roll back the OS to IOS5, that's fine.

And we are also saying that it is illegal in many jurisdictions for Apple to not allow us to roll back.

Then that will be why they are making other mapping applications available to you.

This not work?

<Link Edited By Host>

Again, please read the thread. It has already been explained in detail by several people, why the other apps don't work for many people. We need a roll back to IOS5 Maps - that is the solution.

Nope - none of the solutions in Tim Cook's apology or as suggested by Apple in other places, work. A roll back to IOS5 Maps is the simplest and only really workable interim solution for the next 12 months. If you want to know why, read the excellent explanations by JBDirect and others in this thread. To understand why it is illegal for Apple not to allow this, read analogies and explanations already given in this thread.

Actually JBD, I am the ONLY person here who has given you a solution that will work immediately and without fault, and is at minimal cost (postage, packing and eBay fees). I totally understand why you don't like the solution; it feels wrong, it is not your fault, Apple should surely pay for what they have done etc etc. But it is a solution, and if your business truly depends on the tools then take it to help your business and then persue Apple for costs.

The alternatives:

1. Legal. I doubt pursuing a legal solution alone is going to deliver results quickly - all the time your business will suffer. So that should be a route to cover costs.

2. Roll-back to iOS 5. Well there is no sign this is going to happen. The iPhone 5 can't use it, the anticipated new iPad mini probably can't use it, so my guess is that Apple feel they can't go back. I may be wrong, but how long will it take to find out.

3. Use other apps. Actually I have read every message in this thread since Stilts original post. I accept the new maps are rubbish, but for me a combination of TomTom and Google in a browser and Live Street Maps is an ok if inelegant work around. But I do not run a delivery company, and I accept that none of the apps out there provide the experience you want which is one that fully integrates with the OS and is on a par with Google/iOS5. You and others have convinced me that iOS6 plus Apple maps and other apps is not good enough.

4. Wait for Apple to fix their maps. They will, but this will take a couple of years at best. It's taken Google 7 years at least. Apple didn't realise the importance of doing their own ground level survey, which is what the street view cars have been doing. They thought they could just buy pictures and map data and stick it together. FrankenMaps are the result.

5. Move to Android. This may be your second best short term option. But, I'm guessing that the migration of data and process is going to take considerable effort an while you may gain maps you will lose something else. And Android doesn't have a better reputation for user experience than Apple. So it could be a matter of out of the frying pan into the frying pan. It is also a relatively expensive route, though maybe not prohibitive.

6. Wait for Apple to do a deal with Google to get maps back on iOS 5 and iOS6 as the default map. This is the option I'd like, and I'd like it tomorrow. But no one anticipates this, even the hopers on this thread. It coul happen, but who knows when?

So, although you like to dismiss me as unhelpful, in truth I present probably the only 100% solution, one you can have tomorrow, and one with relatively low costs. You may refuse to take it out of principal, and I understand that. But if your business is genuinely being disrupted by the maps fiasco then you may have to weigh your principals against pragmatism.

You are exactly right.  Apple used to mean innovation.  Now, it just means you're paying a higher price for an item that is PLANNED to be obsolete in a couple of years.  My G5 iMac runs fine, but there is no way to upgrade it any further, so it's basically useless.  My original iPad isn't even two years old, and yet it has already been excluded from new iOS updates (which was a blessing in disguise), and will not run iPhoto because it does not have a camera.  Never mind the fact that I can easily put photos on it via my photo stream.  Apple, we do not all upgrade our equipment every year.  My 6 year old Windows PC is still running strong, and is completely able to be updated and upgraded.  About to buy a new laptop...and it will not be an Apple.

Hi,

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I did not intend in any way to troll!!! 

I indeed included direct quotes from Tim Cook's official response, what I was referring to was response in the form of support and information (in the form of more transparent communication about this problem).  We are on a support forum hosted by Apple and there has been no such additional information for the 4 days which I have been following this thread.  I've submitted feedback through their site and attempted all other forms I could (Twitter, email, phone and Apple store) with no official response (the employees of Apple did not even know what actions were being taken).  Additional information from Apple is not that much to ask for, is it?  We're paying customers!

You're right, it's not a show stopper (and in my original post, I did state that I love the iphone5) , but I do believe they are handling this Maps issue poorly by continuing to keep us in the dark about how they are actually proceeding to fix this problem (they even censored a user Jingling on this forum).  This is why I used the example of Antenna-Gate and Steve Job's press conference.  He was very thorough in providing as much information about the problem as he could, and an acceptable solution for all.  Use the bumpers or get your money back no questions.  Vastly different to Tim Cook's "we are doing everything we can to make Maps better."  (With no timeframe or process detailed as to how this is happening.)

Interesting point you make about how we could live before smartphones - It reveals a dependency that has formed by me (and many others) on technlogy.  I'm probably going through technology withdrawal, hence why so many of are cranky!  But dependency issues aside: I was defining a use-case of the Apple Maps app and the suggested interim solutions that were offered.  In this case both solutions failed to meet the core requirement (me getting to my location!). 

re: backup - yes, I backup everything before upgrading, but in this case I'm an iPhone5 user, which shiped with ios6.  If you meant backup maps system, I have printed Google Maps in the past (prior to iPhone) but things aren't that bad yet!

Sorry again for the confusion, if any of my views offend you I do apologise (I'm new to posting to forums - this one is out of necessity).

Derek.

The problem is primarily being faced by a few million consumers who have upgraded from IOS5 to IOS6.

The simplest and fastest solution is for Apple to allow them to regress to what they had (and paid for), while Apple fixes its Maps or buys a better default Map or allows other Maps to be default Maps.

It is not feasible for many people to use clumsy and difficult to use alternatives or to change their legacy solutions to work with something new and different, with no compatibility to what existed.

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I would like to say something and make another request, for a class of people who will never post on this forum and who are at serious risk.

Of the 100 million people who upgraded from IOS5 to IOS6, between 10 and 40 million people are challenged - with advanced age, declining or low cognition, technology illiteracy ....

Most of these people do not know anything about the dysfunctional IOS6 Maps and have not heard of Tim Cooks Apology. They are unlikely to read or understand the alternative solutions suggested by Tim Cook.

They will do what they have done before, use an easy to use, very well designed Map application (this is true for both IOS5 Maps and IOS6 Maps). They do not know that unlike earlier, the new Maps may point them to the wrong place or in the wrong direction.

They risk injury and death.

Apple IOS6 Maps must - on every screen or through repeated notifications, warn of the problem. Not doing so would be irresponsible in the extreme.

Adam,

Have you tried this yourself ? Has it worked for you ?

Has anyone on the forum tried this rollback ?

Also, would it affect the functioning of other Apps, for which I have updated the iOS6 versions ?

I am trying to use the "report problem" function in the Apple Maps app.

After tapping "Report problem" , I select "search results are incorrect".

I tap "next" and get a page with Previous Searches.

The Next button is not active.

The only thing I can do is use the Cancel Button.

How am I supposed to report an incorrect search result?

I would appreciate any practical help here.

My issues with Maps are:

- I live in Thailand, and all street names are exclusively in Thai scripts (which I cannot read, same goes for practically all foreigners living here or visiting)

- this makes Find My iPhone and Find Friends totally useless

- the number of incorredt results I find.

But if I want to help correct these mistakes I should be able to use the  "Report problem" function.

Am I missing something?

Thanks for any practical help.

Francois