iOS 6 Maps introduced a new navigation experience to iOS with turn-by-turn navigation, 3-D flyover view, and new quick-loading vector images. These TomTom based maps were expected to be a big hit, but they quickly rebounded, as users started reporting that the maps were “terrible” and “inaccurate.” Users now eagerly await Google to launch an App Store version of their Google Maps service, which is currently in its beta stages.
Those of you expecting reform for Apple’s Maps application may be in luck. Apple has reportedly fired Richard Williamson, the man who has overseen the development and implementation of Apple’s iOS 6 maps application. That’s not to say that Apple will be reverting to Google Maps once more, however it does mean that we could see some major improvements in the application should a new person be put in charge.
Apple’s very own Eddy Cue is expected to place a new individual in Williamson’s shoes, however he has not done so just yet, as Bloomberg reports. That being said, the position is currently empty and the iOS 6 Maps application has no leader as of now. It is hoped that Cue puts the right guy in charge so that the Maps application can finally get on the right foot.
Any change to the Maps application is expected to be over the course of a long period of time and users will still have to rely on third party Mapping applications if they find Apple’s Maps application to be glitchy. Apple has included a Maps section in the App Store that showcases some of the App Store’s best navigation applications, such as TomTom, Waze, and MapQuest.
Hopefully the Maps will have been improved by the time they come to the Mac as they are expected to in OS X 10.9.
Sources: Bloomberg
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