“Apple’s iOS 6 update is almost a day old, and for iPhone and iPad users, there’s much to love about this newborn. Despite a few odd glitches, it’s a solid update. Everything seems to run faster, use less battery life, and there are all sorts of easter eggs (such as the delightful Panorama feature) waiting to be uncovered,” Chris Taylor writes for Mashable. “But if you’re still waiting to upgrade, chances are it’s for the one reason I heard over and over from iOS users Wednesday: you’re reluctant to let go of the Google Maps app. Google Maps is replaced as the default in iOS 6 by Apple’s own Maps. (Google has indicated it will bring out its own iOS app, though it doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to release it.)”

“Condemnation of Maps was swift and fierce,” Taylor writes. “I really hoped I could say this criticism was unwarranted. Maps is a beautiful-looking app, with 3-D buildings and satellite imagery to rival anything in Google Earth. Turn-by-turn directions are provided by GPS industry leader TomTom.”

Taylor writes, “Apple bought three mapping companies to make this happen, and has had years to refine it. How bad could it be? The answer, I’m sad to say as an Apple fan, is very bad indeed. Almost unusably bad. Maps takes all the trust Apple has built up among its users over the years — trust that its products just work — and squanders nearly all of it in one go.”

“This is Apple, of course, a company that likes to iterate until it gets a product right. So I have absolutely no doubt that Maps is going to get better. I can’t wait to see how it looks in a few updates’ time,” Taylor writes. “It’s just that the problems are so numerous, Maps may never have a chance to prove itself before Google comes back strong. The search giant will soon release its iOS version, probably after just enough time has passed for us all to try Apple’s Maps and pronounce it DOA.”

Read more in the full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: It seems that, right now, it depends where you’re using Apple’s new Maps app and what you’re using it for that matters most. Hopefully, Apple stands ready to begin making major corrections and additions to the mapping data where needed.

While Taylor’s reactions are likely genuine, all of the Apple Maps app kerfuffle this still feels like “manufactured outrage” to us with some people primed and ready to pounce on any negatives (FUD campaign) regardless of the many merits found within Apple new Maps app.

For more of our thoughts, please see: Apple’s Maps app responsible for all the evil in the universe

Related articles:
Apple’s Maps app responsible for all the evil in the universe – September 20, 2012
New Apple Maps app under fire from iPhone, iPad users – September 20, 2012
Apple’s refined iOS 6 highlighted by stunning Maps overhaul – September 19, 2012
Apple’s Maps a looming disaster? – September 18, 2012
iOS 6 Maps app superior to Google maps; will also be used in third-party apps – August 4, 2012