Australian Police Tell iPhone Users Not To Rely On Apple Maps

This is a bit of bad PR: Macrumors reports that Australian police have warned iPhone owners in that country not to rely upon Apple Maps due to “safety concerns.” According to a local police statement:

Mildura Police are urging motorists to be careful when relying on the mapping system on the Apple i-phones operating on the iOS 6 system after a number of motorists were directed off the beaten track in recent weeks.  Local Police have been called to assist distressed motorists who have become stranded within the Murray-Sunset National Park after following directions on their Apple i-phone. 

Tests on the mapping system by police confirm the mapping systems lists Mildura in the middle of the Murray Sunset National Park, approximately 70km away from the actual location of Mildura.

No doubt this will be promptly corrected but it’s another embarrassing Apple Maps moment after the controversy had substantially died down. Anecdotal reports suggest that Apple Maps are improving and that the company has been working consistently to correct and improve the underlying maps data.
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently removed top software boss Scott Forstall and then his replacement Eddie Cue fired Richard Williamson who had managed the mapping team specifically.
A native iOS Google Maps app is anticipated although we don’t have a clear sense of the submission and potential approval timing. It has been speculated that Apple might try and block a Google Maps app. However that’s extremely unlikely.