Apple Fires Maps Manager

[Fred Zed]

http://www.eweek.com/mobile/apple-fires-maps-manager-after-controversy-surrounding-app/
The fallout over the very public failure of Apple's Maps app is continuing, with the company firing Richard Williamson, who managed the mapping group.


Apple reportedly is continuing to clean house after the debacle surrounding its disappointing Maps app in iOS 6.

Richard Williamson, who managed the team that developed the application, was fired by Senior Vice President Eddy Cue, according to a Nov. 27 report in Bloomberg. According to "people familiar with the move," Williamson's dismissal is part of a larger effort by Cue to address the problems that arose following the very public failure of the Apple Maps app, which debuted in September. Apple officials hoped that it would replace Google's Maps app on Apple devices, but the Apple software was found to be faulty and it was quickly criticized by reviewers and users alike.

 

[b4u]

http://www.eweek.com/mobile/apple-fires-maps-manager-after-controversy-surrounding-app/
The fallout over the very public failure of Apple's Maps app is continuing, with the company firing Richard Williamson, who managed the mapping group.


Apple reportedly is continuing to clean house after the debacle surrounding its disappointing Maps app in iOS 6.

Richard Williamson, who managed the team that developed the application, was fired by Senior Vice President Eddy Cue, according to a Nov. 27 report in Bloomberg. According to "people familiar with the move," Williamson's dismissal is part of a larger effort by Cue to address the problems that arose following the very public failure of the Apple Maps app, which debuted in September. Apple officials hoped that it would replace Google's Maps app on Apple devices, but the Apple software was found to be faulty and it was quickly criticized by reviewers and users alike.

Oh no Fred, you shouldn't have posted that. now otb,djk and danibbler will label you a hater

Apple can't be very proud of their new product, there is an awful lot of housecleaning going on....and it's not just for the maps

and yet they still sell like hotcakes....go figure.


I just read that a large portion of Apple users are refusing to upgrade to iOS 6 because they don't want to lose google maps on the devices....I guess that's a form of fragmentation

 

[djk]

b4u is absolutely right.

Companies shouldn't fire for incompetence. They should follow Google's example of keeping the same design team that kept Android in the stone ages UX wise until they brought on Matias Duarte in 2010.

LMAO!

 

[Social Gent]

From a recent transfer to Apple - Iphone from a Blackberry - I am really disappointed with the maps app. The functionality of the add-on Google maps just isn't there.
It is a smart R&D move from Apple; their reputation isn't enough with Android at their heels, they must continue to perform and innovate.

 

[onthebottom]

I'm note sure putting the iTunes and iCloud guy on it is an upgrade frankly....

OTB

 

[danmand]

As you well know its likely not incompetence its poorly thought out aggressive timelines and underfunding. Google didn't build maps in a day, Apple was down right stupid to include it in a launch pretty much untested.

Yeah, but the guy who pushed the overly aggressive schedules keeps his job. The guy who tried to follow orders is fired.

 

[djk]

As you well know its likely not incompetence its poorly thought out aggressive timelines and underfunding. Google didn't build maps in a day, Apple was down right stupid to include it in a launch pretty much untested.

They partnered with TomTom on Apple Maps. TomTom has been in this area for 21 years. Obviously, something went somewhere wrong but it wasn't due to lack of expertise. Their partner brought plenty of it.

 

[Anynym]

Who will Apple fire over the release of iTunes 11?