The writer is an abject moron. The previous maps app was coded by Apple, but used data licensed from Google. Without that data, maps are worthless. It will tak

The writer is an abject moron. The previous maps app was coded by Apple, but used data licensed from Google. Without that data, maps are worthless. It will take Apple years to get to a level resembling the quality of the Google maps. I'm referring to the POIs, accuracy, maintenance, etc etc. Anyone thinking otherwise knows nothing about the complexity of mapping and routing (I do: used to work for a company that licensed data to Google maps, and marketed the first trip planners in Europe -- no, not TomTom). This was a gift from the Gods for Google. I betcha it would take Google no more than a month or two to code their own app if they had to start today, which they wouldn't have to, the switch wasnt a secret, and another 6 months to have it approved by the Apple gatekeepers. However, why would Google do this? The google maps web version covers most immediate needs (great search results, good routing) and as announced, they anticipate adding a web version of street view shortly. This is pure WIN for google. Loads of goodwill for saving the day, loads of crappy Apple apps with Apple maps, and they'll have Q4 to look forward to with many many additional activations of Android (S3, Note II, etc.) so who's in a rush? Meanwhile, I rue the day I upgraded to IOS6. Siri is sucky. Tethered WiFi connections have issues. All apps that use the standard "maps" component are ruined... I also see class action lawsuits and EU rulings in Apple's future... for failure to provide an option to revert to IOS5, rendering old hardware less useful and ruining apps, and locking in the user base to sub-par solutions because of their monopolisitc control. Remember Microsoft and IE? History will repeat itself. It always does.