Apple sacks exec in maps fiasco

Nov 27, 2012
A person looks at an iPhone 5 during the opening of a new Apple store on November 15 in Saint-Herblain, western France. Apple has ousted the executive who oversaw the mobile maps program which was a spectacular flop, a report said.

Apple has ousted the executive who oversaw the mobile maps program which was a spectacular flop, a report said Tuesday.

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 begun a month ago.

Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment.

The news comes a month after Apple announced the departure of its head of the mobile software unit, Scott Forstall, as well as retail chief John Browett.

Apple last month said it was promoting other executives including Jon Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi to better integrate hardware, software and services.

Apple has in recent months launched the , the mobile operating system iOS 6, iPad mini, and new versions of the iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, and .

Apple was forced to make a highly embarrassing apology in September for its glitch-ridden maps application in the new operating system used by the iPhone 5 and urged customers to use rival programs while improvements are made.

Apple developed its own mapping program included in its new mobile iOS 6 operating system, and in doing so booted off , which had been the default program for Apple devices.

But the new Apple program immediately drew scorn for omitting key landmarks and cities, failing to identify correct locations and distorting views from its images.

Explore further: 2 top executives leaving Apple

add to favorites email to friend print save as pdf

Related Stories

2 top executives leaving Apple

Oct 30, 2012

(AP)—Apple Inc. shook up its executive ranks Monday, saying the head of its store operations is leaving after just six months on the job and the long-serving head of its iPhone software development operations is exiting ...

YouTube dropped from iPhone-iPad operating system

Aug 07, 2012

Applications to let users watch YouTube videos will not be pre-installed on the next generation of iPhones, iPads and iPod devices, in another sign of mounting rivalry between Apple and Google.

Apple sets new operating systems for iPhone, Mac

Mar 28, 2011

Apple said Monday that it will unveil the next generation operating systems for the iPhone and the Macintosh computer at its Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco in June.

Recommended for you

US panel rejects Motorola bid to block Xbox imports

12 hours ago

The US International Trade Commission sided with Microsoft in a patent dispute with Google-owned Motorola Mobility that could have led to Xbox 360 videogame consoles being banned from import.

Pandora posts in-line 1Q loss, upbeat sales

23 hours ago

(AP)—Internet radio company Pandora reported higher-than-expected revenue in the latest quarter, with losses in line with analysts' forecasts, as the number of subscribers who pay for ad-free listening rose above 2.5 million.

User comments : 0

More news stories

Google eyes emerging markets networks

Google has become deeply involved in a series of projects to build and operate wireless networks in emerging markets including sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, a report said Friday.

Facial-recognition technology proves its mettle

(Phys.org) —In a study that evaluated some of the latest in automatic facial recognition technology, researchers at Michigan State University were able to quickly identify one of the Boston Marathon bombing ...

Drones may violate international law

(Phys.org) —As President Obama gives a speech on national security—including defending U.S. use of drones to combat terrorism—Leila Sadat, JD, international law expert and professor of law at Washington University in ...

Galaxies fed by funnels of fuel

(Phys.org) —Computer simulations of galaxies growing over billions of years have revealed a likely scenario for how they feed: a cosmic version of swirly straws.