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Apple Fires Manager Responsible for Maps as Eddy Cue Turns to Outsiders for Help

Tuesday November 27, 2012 9:15 am PST by Eric Slivka
As Apple continues to work toward improving the new Maps service the company rolled out in iOS 6, Bloomberg reports that Apple has fired Richard Williamson, the manager directly responsible for the project.
Richard Williamson, who oversaw the mapping team, was fired by Senior Vice President Eddy Cue, said the people, who asked not to be named because the information wasn’t yet public. Cue, who took over last month as part of a management shakeup, is seeking advice from outside mapping-technology experts and prodding digital maps provider TomTom NV to fix landmark and navigation data it shares with Apple.
As part of a management shakeup at Apple announced last month, iOS chief Scott Forstall will be leaving the company next year and his responsibilities have been delegated to other executives. With Eddy Cue now overseeing Maps in addition to his iTunes Store, App Store, iCloud, iBookstore, iAd, and Siri responsibilities, Apple has brought on its "product resuscitator" to help fix the highly criticized service.

Cue is said to be taking a very hands-on approach with Maps, and with his firing of Williamson seems to be looking to build his own team to address the service's many issues.

Tags: Eddy Cue, bloomberg.com
[ 407 comments ]


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HarryKeogh
89 months ago
I feel bad for Williamson. After he was fired he couldn't find his way out of the building.
Rating: 157 Votes
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rorschach
89 months ago
Steve WOULD do that. ;)
Rating: 83 Votes
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Dr McKay
89 months ago

Maps may be looking nice for iOS 7 next year.


One would hope so, it tells me my nearest pub is 47 miles away. Anyone living in the UK knows this is impossible.
Rating: 64 Votes
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SprodeBoy
89 months ago
I don't see why. I have found so many cool places my being misguided! After moving to Alabama accidentally while trying to find a Hardee's, I couldn't be happier
Rating: 46 Votes
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dearfriendx
89 months ago
I've been using the Maps app since like June and haven't had any problems. What's it doing for the rest of you? Like guiding you into a lake? Hahaha you guys are like Dwight Shrute.
Rating: 45 Votes
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bushido
89 months ago
well ... even the app icon tells u to jump over a bridge sooooo

anyway, so sick of seeing my city in black and white
Rating: 35 Votes
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RoelJuun
89 months ago
He'll be heading into other directions.
Rating: 27 Votes
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Rogifan
89 months ago
Ok can we now fire who ever approved the changes to the AppStore UI? Or would that require firing Cue himself?
Rating: 20 Votes
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Nevzorus
89 months ago
I actually have 0 problems with maps besides that I don't have flyover in my city. It's pretty good though :)
Rating: 18 Votes
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AppleInMyBlood
89 months ago

How this happened originally is crazy. Firing people now is too late - the mess already happened.


So what do you suggest they do? Keep the people responsible on staff and give up? :rolleyes:
Rating: 18 Votes

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