This Is How You Do It, Folks...

If you own and iPhone (as I do), and you upgraded to IOS6 (as I did), you've probably already had first hand experience with the massive screw-up otherwise known as “Apple Maps”.  My own first experience matches that of many other people: just to try it out, I set it up to give me directions on how to get to work.  Within a mile it was trying to send me down a 20 mile long four-wheel drive only dirt road – one that I know has several locked gates across it.  Virtually everyone who's tried to use the app reports similarly hideous results.  The geek media's talking heads have been howling for days.

Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, responded yesterday with a letter to Apple's customers.  Here's the lead:

To our customers,

At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better.

No weasel words, no finger-pointing – just a straight-up and direct apology, along with a commitment to fix it.  Go read the whole thing if you'd like to see how a real class act deals with their mistake.

Kudos, Mr. Cook.  I wish we saw our leaders (business, political, or of any other flavor) exhibit more of exactly this willingness to take responsibility. I'll survive with Google Maps.  When Apple comes out with an upgrade for Apple Maps, I'll try it again.