Google Maps being replaced with Apple Maps sparks disappointment among iPhone users

Apple reigns supreme in the retail world once again after the release of the new iPhone 5 this past weekend, but not without some unforeseen growing pains.

Apple Maps, the new navigation system used on the new iPhone 5 and iOS 6 operating software that replace Google Maps, stirred up almost immediate disapproval and criticism from new users.

When Apple first announced they would stop using Google Maps in favor of its own system in June, a mixture of curiosity and excitement came over the iPhone faithful, wondering what greatness the post-Steve Jobs era could possibly have in store.

Instead, the Apple Map app is being referred to by many as unsatisfying, inconsistent, and pointblank: inaccurate. Chief grievances include having a lack of local transit information, wrong directions given steadily, sketchy street views, poor 3D driving interface, and even crucial buildings being non-existent.

Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller said the company was focusing to make the experience better and valued the criticism of customers.

“Customers around the world are upgrading to iOS 6 with over 200 new features including Apple Maps, our first map service,” Muller said.

“We are excited to offer this service with innovative new features like Flyover, turn by turn navigation, and Siri integration. We launched this new map service knowing it is a major initiative and that we are just getting started with it. Maps is a cloud-based solution and the more people use it, the better it will get. We appreciate all of the customer feedback and are working hard to make the customer experience even better.”

Twitter hash-tags such as #Mapocalypse and #Thanksapple began to sarcastically surface on the web, voicing students concerns with their highly anticipated purchases.

“Apple forces customers to use its own products, even when they are not as good as those from rivals,” an SHSU student tweeted.

Some Bearkats were more than pleased with the new product, but also acknowledged that there were a few hiccups with Apple Maps. “The Apple flyovers are a really cool new feature, but they only work in a couple of cities,” said SHSU alum Christopher Wayne. “ It might take Apple as long as it took Google to fine tune the system into something super useful. I don’t have too big of a problem with it. It gets me where I’m going.”

Other iPhone users claim that the Maps’ poor performance will cause them to be hesitant with future Apple products. “What’s odd to me is how Apple could let something like this fall through the cracks after being extremely consistent and disciplined in putting out high value stuff for so long,” SHSU alum James Smith said. “One more slipup and it’ll be hard not to question any new Apple products on the horizon.”

Even Apple’s original co-founder, Steve Wozniak, has spoken up about the new iPhone 5’s bizarre shortcomings. Wozniak claimed that he purchased his iPhone on Friday by queuing at an Apple Store in Australia, and he loves it so far. The one thing he is disappointed with, he told the media, was the Apple Maps app.

“I tried to navigate somewhere, and I couldn’t get to where I wanted to by voice,” he told ZDNet Australia. “So, I was a little disappointed, because I love navigation by voice with my Google [Android] phones, actually, since they always get it and are based on a better database.”

 However, Wozniak did defend Apple, saying that the reports knocking the new Maps app may have been embellished. “I have been reading about the problems, and I don’t know if they are that severe,” he said.