Apple has sacked the executive who lead its widely-criticised mobile maps program as part of an ongoing staff overhaul, according to a news report.
Technology blog AllThingsD reports that Rich Williamson was fired last week, citing a source familiar with the matter.
Apple provoked outrage when it ditched Google Maps in favour of its own software when the iPhone 5 was launched in September.
The new Apple program immediately drew scorn for omitting key landmarks and cities, failing to identify correct locations and distorting views from its images.
The move forced chief executive Tim Cook into a rare public admission that Apple’s product “fell short” of the standard customers expected.
The inadequate mapping service was a rare mistake for a company that is facing increased competition from the likes of Google, Samsung and Microsoft in the smartphone and tablet markets.
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 iPhone 5, the mobile operating system iOS 6, iPad mini, and new versions of the iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch and iPod nano.
Source: AllThingsD
