The iOS 6 Apple Maps catastrophe has led to many users wanting and anticipating for either an update or new opportunity to download and replace the map app.
On Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented as the criticism of the Apple Maps continued to soar, and admitted there was something wrong.
"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," wrote Cook in a letter on Apple.com. "We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better."
Cook added that while Apple is improving its map app, iOS 6 users could download alternatives from the App Store.
In perhaps a rare move, Cook named some of the alternatives: Bing, MapQuest, and Waze.
Are the alternative map apps Cook recommended good?
Latinos Post gathered some reviews and how you can download them.
Bing: Price - Free
The Bing app is compatible with the iPhones, iPod Touch, an iPad devices and could work on the iOS 4.0 and later.
The Bing app does offer more than maps, but also search engine results, deals at shops and restaurants, watch videos from Hulu, MSN, and YouTube, and recognize cover art from books, video games, and DVDs.
Reviews for the app included:
Marc Perdue: This app is great for what is does. Beautiful interface! The scrolling feature is gorgeous and intuitive. Really useful as an alternative to Google maps. I use the nearby feature all the time. News is great as well although it needs a built in reader feature like safaris's or at least an instapaper "read it later" option. Overall a great app.
Maxprank: Use it for the maps on iOS6. Way better than Apple maps. Love the maps!
Zak Martinez: The maps, while not as good as Google, are 10x better than Apple Maps!
Click here to download the Bing app from the App Store.
MapQuest: Price - Free
The MapQuest app touts itself as the "#1 provider of FREE voice-guided, turn-by-turn, GPS navigation for iPhone."
Features in the app include a voice guide, find the cheapest gas prices around you, live traffic updated every five minutes, walking directions, and live traffic camera, to name a few.
Reviews for the app included:
Mebree67: I tried one of the pay navigation system. When it froze up I tried Mapquest. Surprised it had turn by turn and voice for free. It is much better than the pay navigation system and on the spot. Thanks.
Thw.fwa: I have used Mapquest for six months on a daily basis and it has never steered me wrong. The only fault is that I haven't been able to figure out how to modify a route on my iPhone. But then I only tried for one minute.
Wheeler mommy: It is a great app always taken me where I needed to go!
Click here to download MapQuest from the App Store.
Waze: Price - Free
The Waze app, similar to MapQuest, also helps you find cheap gas on your route. It touts itself as "a fun, community-based traffic [and] navigation app, 20 million strong."
The app features voice-guided operation, automatic re-routing as conditions on the road changes, real-time traffic alerts, and share locations so friends can meet up.
Waze also says it it "hands-free and voice-operated."
Reviews for the app included:
Expedition Blue: Love it! However I wish, I could use it to plan trips...
Grammyglass: Kept me from getting lost soooooo many times!
Brent Cordis: It is off the chain how good the app has come along with all the good add ons. You have to use it.
Click here to download Waze from the App Store.
Other free apps, and most recently updated within the month of September, are GPS by TeleNav, Gokivo GPS Navigator, and Garmin U.S.A. however, the latter of the two charges $0.99 and $39.99.
For a reviews roundup of Apple Apps, click here.
For a slideshow of Apple Maps' mistakes, click here.
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