Apple exec Eddy Cue 'racing' to improve iOS Maps

A new report sheds more light on the behind-the-scenes personnel shakeup at Apple in the wake of criticism over the new Maps application that debuted in iOS 6.

Since taking over iOS Maps, Apple's Eddy Cue has been "racing to turn around the troubled service," according to a a report published by Bloomberg on Wednesday. It also restated that Richard Williamson, who previously oversaw Maps in iOS 6, was fired by Cue, who has put new leadership in charge in an effort to rapidly improve the software.

Cue reportedly pushed out Williamson quickly after he took on an expanded role that has put him in charge of iOS Maps.

Williamson was a key player in the development of the original iPhone. He worked at Apple for more than 10 years, and previously worked at NeXT computer with Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.

Cue also has a history with Jobs, and Wednesday's report referred to him as a "close confidant" of the late CEO. For years he has overseen Apple's iTunes and iCloud services, but his role expanded last month as part of an executive shakeup at the company.

Cue took over iOS Maps, as well as the voice-driven Siri personal assistant software, after the former head of iOS software, Scott Forstall, was ousted from the company. Forstall reportedly refused to sign a public apology for deficiencies in the iOS Maps application â€” a decision that allegedly contributed to his firing.

Bloomberg was first to report on Tuesday that Williamson was fired, and that Cue has been seeking advice from mapping technology experts outside of Apple. He has also reportedly encouraged partner TomTom to fix issues with landmarks and navigation data.

140 Comments

tallest skil 43086 comments · 14 Years

About 11 years ago

Originally Posted by AppleInsider
Forstall reportedly refused to sign a public apology for deficiencies in the iOS Maps application ? a decision that allegedly contributed to his firing.

I've been meaning to say something about this. Does it make more sense that he would have said "No, I'm not signing that crap! It's not true!" and that going over poorly or "No, I'm not signing that crap; we'll just fix what's wrong!" and that going over poorly?

dwilly 60 comments · 12 Years

You got to do what you got to do in these types of management changes. I'm sure Jobs would have cleaned house too.

allenbf 992 comments · 12 Years

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

I have my doubts about the latter.

Having said that, I think his refusal to sign the letter (for either reason) was just the final straw. When you have people like Mansfield and Ive, who are the real lifeblood of Apple (especially since Jobs is gone) then you do what you have to do to keep them around. If Forstall couldn't work well with the other VPs, he had to go.

rogifan 10667 comments · 13 Years

Every Apple executive that gets profiled these days is said to have been a close confidant of Steve's. Seems like just boilerplate filler for these articles. I'm just waiting for the next story about how Ive is racing to remove skeuomrphism from iOS. :lol:

quinney 2527 comments · 18 Years

[quote name="Tallest Skil" url="/t/154667/apple-exec-eddy-cue-racing-to-improve-ios-maps#post_2238082"][QUOTE name="AppleInsider" url="/t/154667/apple-exec-eddy-cue-racing-to-improve-ios-maps#post_2238081"] Forstall reportedly refused to sign a public apology for deficiencies in the iOS Maps application ? a decision that allegedly [URL=http://appleinsider.com/articles/12/10/29/scott-forstalls-refusal-to-sign-ios-maps-apology-letter-contributed-to-departure-sources-say]contributed to[/URL] his firing.[/QUOTE] I've been meaning to say something about this. Does it make more sense that he would have said "No, I'm not signing that crap! It's not true!" and that going over poorly or "No, I'm not signing that crap; we'll just fix what's wrong!" and that going over poorly? [/quote] I think he just said "No, I'm not signing that crap!"