Apple Launches New App Store Feature Section for Alternative Maps

Following this morning's release of an open letter from Tim Cook apologizing for issues with the new Apple-driven Maps app in iOS 6 and mentioning some alternative map options available to users, Apple has also added a new featured section to the App Store highlighting some of those map alternatives.

iphone alternative maps
A host of alternative apps ranging from free to Magellan's $49.99 "RoadMate USA" are available from such brands as Waze, Mapquest, Garmin, Bing, and MotionX.

Apple's embrace of alternative map options seems to be a sign that the company is taking criticism of its own offering seriously, although directing users to downloads through the App Store is still of benefit to Apple. Cook's letter did, however, also promote web-based alternatives such as Google's and Nokia's maps.

Top Rated Comments

lzyprson Avatar
140 months ago
I've seriously had no problems with Maps, and I have used Voice Navigation almost daily since the release... Apology unwarranted!!
Score: 78 Votes (Like | Disagree)
srxtr Avatar
140 months ago
This is a new low for Apple...

EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I love the new Apple maps, and while I'm sure there are lots of people affected negatively by the bad data their software is perfect and I have yet to come across a problem with it. In fact, I'm going to sell my Garmin GPS Navigation system and use the money to buy myself car accessories for my iPhone 5.

I feel this whole situation is overblown and Apple shouldn't have had to take this unnecessary step. I mean, aside from Google, who has decent map data? Garmin? TomTom? I've had problems with all of them.
Score: 69 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jrswizzle Avatar
140 months ago
Can we finally just let this go and accept the fact that there are other options and that Apple is working to fix it?
Score: 51 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigZ243 Avatar
140 months ago
Pretty sad. All Apple needed to do is call it a beta and keep the existing maps on there until an update when it was ready.
Score: 41 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cougarcat Avatar
140 months ago
This is a new low for Apple...

Huh? Apple admitting their shortcomings is a good thing. Would you rather them pretend there is no problem?
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
caligomez Avatar
140 months ago
Well this is awkward...
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)