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World :: Apple's New Map App Under Fire

Apple's new Maps app for the iPhone has provoked a deluge of criticism over botched searches and errors.

Released on Wednesday as part of its new operating system, iOS6, the tool features real-time traffic conditions, turn-by-turn navigation and 3D mapping.

But it is already being panned by users over a series of graphic inaccuracies, including misplaced towns and cities and misspelt locations.

Apple created its own mapping software to replace the Google maps application which had come pre-installed on the iPhone since 2007.

However, it has come as a disappointment to some angry users who have flooded forums, blogs and Twitter with complaints.

One said: "I don't doubt they'll get better in time, but I really have to wonder why they thought these maps were fit for release now.

"They look terrible. I'm also surprised that none of the pre-release reviews I read mentioned how bad they are. They all said "not as good as Google, but they're getting there".

Another said: "People, if you need and use google maps on a daily basis, don't upgrade until google creates a downloadable I would imagine that they're going to have updates routinely on the map. map app.

"They are probably waiting to get maximum exposure and backlash of ios6 maps."

Other users said they did not understand what all the fuss was about and argued that the tool was a work in progress.

"I just can't process why people think that this is the final release and there will be no more changes," said one user.

But regardless, the furore is unlikely to be the reception Apple wanted on the eve of the launch of its new iPhone 5.