Another Apple executive fired over incorrect maps fiasco

BANGALORE, INDIA: After Scott Forstall, head of the mobile software unit, and John Browett, retail chief were asked to leave Apple Inc last month, it's now the turn of Apple maps chief Rich Williamson to leave the company. The Dow Jones website AllThingsD, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that Rich Williamson was fired last week in an extension of a shakeup at the California tech giant that began a month ago. Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

Last month, Scott Forstall, a long-time lieutenant of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, was asked to leave following years of friction with other top executives and his refusal to take responsibility for the mishandling of the Apple's much-criticized mapping software, people familiar with the situation said.

Sources said Forstall refused to sign a public apology after Apple's mapping product, which displaced the popular Google Maps on the iPhone and the iPad in September, contained embarrassing errors and drew fierce criticism. Instead, Cook signed the letter last month.

Users complained that the Apple Maps service contained geographical errors and gaps in information, and that it lacked features that made Google Maps so popular from public transit directions to traffic data and street-view pictures. "We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better," Cook had said in a letter to customers released on its website, adding that the company "fell short" of its commitment to deliver "the best experience possible to our customers." Unusually, he suggested that customers download rival mapping services available in Apple's App Store while the company improves the product.

"While we're improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," he had said in the letter.

(With inputs from NDTV)