Maps: Apple's biggest blunder in a long time [Google+ hangout]

September 28, 2012|By Salvador Rodriguez

<p>Tim Cook's apology is the most official sign Apple Maps is a disaster. What now?</p><p>The new Maps may improve over time, but at least out of the gate, this is one of Apple's biggest flops. Join Times staffers Michelle Maltais, Michael Hiltzik and me as we discuss the Apple blunder.</p></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-in-top" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"><script type="text/javascript"> var adSkipCounter = 0; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "blunder alternatives time";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,8076373282,8321278795,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=34152199&cat=internet+%26+telecom&pe_id=34152199&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=8076373282&rnccn=CMI-A-016&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=ctr-lt-in-top", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"><p><strong>LIVE DISCUSSION: Join us in a Google+ Hangout at 2:30 p.m.</strong></p><p>What alternatives should you consider? Should you hold off on iOS 6? When will Google release its Maps app? We'll cover it all and answer any other questions you might have.</p><p><strong>ALSO:</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-map-alternatives-20120928,0,7064125.story">Can you find the way to San Jose with Cook's map alternatives?</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-steve-jobs-tim-cook-maps-antenna-20120928,0,1974989.story">Apple's Cook handling of "mapgate" better than Jobs' "antennagate"?</a></p><p><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-apple-tim-cook-apology-20120928,0,4208097.story">Apple's Tim Cook apologizes, tells users to download other map apps</a></p><p>Follow Salvador Rodriguez on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sal.rodriguez">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sal19">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/113277625114571485301/posts">Google+</a></p></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc" class="mod-adcpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "blunder alternatives time";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,8076373282,9488961041,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text"; google_image_size="600x125"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="2"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "wide_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=34152199&cat=internet+%26+telecom&pe_id=34152199&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=8076373282&rnccn=CMI-A-016&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=a-body-after-first-para-ad-cpc", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-a-body-after-second-para" class="mod-latarticlesarticletextwithadcpc mod-latarticlesarticletext mod-articletext"></div><div id="mod-sm-badge-bottom" class="mod-latarticlessocialmedia mod-socialmedia"><div id="mod-sm-badge-bottom-defer"><script type="text/javascript">/* Javascript deferred */</script></div><div id="fb-root"></div><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style" id="mod-sm-badge-bottom-defer_addthis" style="display:none;"><script type="text/javascript">var addthis_options = "digg, twitter, facebook, stumbleupon, delicious, friendfeed, buzz, slashdot, reddit, mixx, fark, linkedin, aim, google, myspace, newsvine, technorati, tumblr, typepad, wordpress, more";var addthis_exclude = "print";var addthis_pub = "archivedigger";</script><a class="pmPrint" title="Print" href="/print/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928"><span class="pmPrintIcon"></span></a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/250/addthis_widget.js"></script></div></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://cdn.gigya.com/js/socialize.js?apiKey=2_COh26GgfZDptreu0iQ9aknzT_Ig861qYxOHZVxizrZMTn81vygTB-ptN33wgCtrj"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function fixDoubleButtons() { if (jQuery('#mod-sm-badge-top .st_pm_button .stButton').size() == 0) { setTimeout('fixDoubleButtons();', 500); return; } var query = '#mod-sm-badge-top .shareThisEmailIcon .st_pm_button .stButton'; if (jQuery(query).size() == 2) jQuery(query + ':eq(1)').remove(); query = '#mod-sm-badge-top .shareThisShareThisCompact .st_pm_button .stButton'; if (jQuery(query).size() == 2) jQuery(query + ':eq(1)').remove(); query = '#mod-sm-badge-bottom .shareThisEmailIcon .st_pm_button .stButton'; if (jQuery(query).size() == 2) jQuery(query + ':eq(1)').remove(); query = '#mod-sm-badge-bottom .shareThisShareThisCompact .st_pm_button .stButton'; if (jQuery(query).size() == 2) jQuery(query + ':eq(1)').remove(); } </script> <script type='text/javascript'> function removeCommentsButton() { if (jQuery('.comments-container .comments-counter').size() == 0) { setTimeout('removeCommentsButton();', 500); return; } jQuery('.comments-container').empty(); jQuery('.comments-container').remove(); } removeCommentsButton(); </script><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-featured-title" class="mod-latarticlestext mod-text">FEATURED</div><div id="mod-article-image-lt" style="float:left;" class="mod-featuredimage tplmodulefeaturedimage mod-homepageimage mod-articleimage"><div class="photowrapper"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/may/17/nation/la-na-nn-skechers-20120517"><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-4fb56bea/turbine/la-na-nn-skechers-20120517-001/600" onerror="pm_imageFailedFeatured(this);" ></a></div><div class="text-area"><div class="title"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/may/17/nation/la-na-nn-skechers-20120517"><h2>Skechers lawsuit: How to get your piece of the $40-million payout</h2></a></div></div></div><div id="mod-article-image-ct" style="float:left;" class="mod-featuredimage tplmodulefeaturedimage mod-homepageimage mod-articleimage"><div class="photowrapper"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/jul/28/sports/la-sp-sn-nascar-danica-patrick-20120728"><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-50146761/turbine/la-sp-sn-nascar-danica-patrick-20120728-001/600" onerror="pm_imageFailedFeatured(this);" ></a></div><div class="text-area"><div class="title"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/jul/28/sports/la-sp-sn-nascar-danica-patrick-20120728"><h2>Hard crash ends Danica Patrick's NASCAR race at Indianapolis</h2></a></div></div></div><div id="mod-article-image-rt" style="float:left;" class="mod-featuredimage tplmodulefeaturedimage mod-homepageimage mod-articleimage"><div class="photowrapper"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/sep/26/business/la-fi-tn-iphone-5-lost-stolen-track-20120926"><img src="http://www.trbimg.com/img-50633362/turbine/la-fi-tn-track-iphone-5-20120926-001/600" onerror="pm_imageFailedFeatured(this);" ></a></div><div class="text-area"><div class="title"><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles_image', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928'); return false;" href="/2012/sep/26/business/la-fi-tn-iphone-5-lost-stolen-track-20120926"><h2>How to find your lost or stolen iPhone 5</h2></a></div></div></div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-featured-more" class="mod-latarticlestext mod-text">MORE:</div><div class="float" style="clear:both;height:1px;line-height:1px;"><img src="/images/pixel.gif" height="1" width="1" alt="" /></div><div id="mod-hp-article-list" class="mod-latarticlesarticles mod-articles"><div class="article"><div class="title"><h2><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928');return false;" title="Top 10 cars: best gas mileage, lowest sticker price" href="/2013/mar/12/autos/la-fi-hy-autos-edmunds-lowest-cost-mpg-cars-fuel-20130220">Top 10 cars: best gas mileage, lowest sticker price</a></h2></div></div><div class="article"><div class="title"><h2><a onClick="parent.recordOutboundLink(this, 'ap-LA12-G02 more_articles', 'http://articles.latimes.com/2012/sep/28/business/la-fi-tn-apple-google-hangout-20120928');return false;" title="Upsets abound in Farmers Classic quarterfinals as Ram, Berankis advance" href="/2012/jul/27/sports/la-sp-sn-upsets-abound-in-farmers-classic-quarterfinals-20120727">Upsets abound in Farmers Classic quarterfinals as Ram, Berankis advance</a></h2></div></div></div></div><div id="area-left" class="area"><div id="mod-left-sky" class="mod-latarticlesadcpc mod-adcpc with-fourth-cpc"> <script type="text/javascript"> //<![CDATA[ var loc = window.location.href + ""; var float = ""; google_hints = "blunder alternatives time";google_ad_client="pub-0227802054925200"; google_ad_output="js"; google_ad_channel="5212128158,8076373282,2508893692,8261105409"; google_ad_type="text,image,flash,html"; google_image_size="300x250"; google_safe="high"; google_feedback="on"; google_max_num_ads="4"; google_skip="" + adSkipCounter + ""; google_adtest="off"; google_page_url=document.URL; function google_ad_request_done(ads) { if (ads.length == 0) { return; } // If no ads are returned then dont build the ad block if (ads[0].bidtype == "CPC") { adSkipCounter += ads.length; } // Increment ad skip counter when cpc google_ad_request_done_internal(ads, "", "", "true", "medium_rectangle", "", "", "pgtp=article&pi=34&ci=34152199&cat=internet+%26+telecom&pe_id=34152199&tv=ap-LA12-G02&rna=pub-0227802054925200&rn=g&rnrci=5212128158&rnrcn=CMI-A-002&rncci=8076373282&rnccn=CMI-A-016&rnpci=&rnpcn=&rntci=&rntcn=&rnlci=8261105409&rnlcn=8261105409&rnp=c&rt=cpc&paidClick=1&placement_id=left-sky", "", "", "", "", "", "ap-LA12-G02", "Los Angeles Times Articles"); } //]]></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/google_ad_request.js.php"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script></div><div id="mod-ctr-lt" class="mod-latarticlesadopenx mod-adopenx mod-adblock"><div><div class="ad_header">Advertisement</div><div id="mod-ctr-lt-defer"> <iframe name="openxi-339767" src="about:blank" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="300" height="250">