( December 14, 2012 ) — According to the Apple website, Apple Maps has about 100 million daily users, searching over half a billion locations in just a few weeks of release. But with the release of the new Apple Maps with iOS 6, navigation applications have taken a “step backward,” according to The Wall Street Journal. The Apple maps application is almost essential to students and teachers who drive to school and travel frequently. Teacher Fred Blattner has frequently used an older version of iPhone Apple Maps when he drives. “I actually use Maps frequently,” Blattner said. “Whenever I’m travelling places, it’s always on. If I’ve ever gotten lost, it was because I didn’t follow it.” The first Maps application for the Apple operating system was released in 2007 with the first generation iPhone, powered by Google Maps. iPhones used this version of Apple Maps until a new version was released in 2012 with the iPhone 5. Instead of being powered by Google Maps, the new Maps application would be powered by TomTom and Open Street Maps. Although Google licensed Apple to use their map application, Apple switched away when Google considered loading ads in their maps. Google also refused to license turn by turn technology to Apple, to have consumers go back to Android phones. Scott Forstall, the head of mobile software was removed from his position shortly following the release of Apple Maps and Siri, the two flops of the Apple company. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, posted on apology letter on the Apple website in regards to the application, apologizing for frustration that may have been caused. Cook recommends that Apple device users download third party products while they work to improve the app. According to the Apple website, Forstall had conflicts with other Apple executives and refused to sign the apology letter. The new Apple maps application is supposedly full of outdated data and misleading directions. Forbes magazine has written several articles such as “Apple Maps’ Most Epic Fails” where the application provides an incorrect address for Washington D.C. or leads Australian motorcyclists into the outback. But, the application is not as flawed as the media depicts it. The new Apple maps displays larger amounts of North Korea than Google Maps and has more detailed freeway signs as well. A Google consumer survey shows that 74% of iOS users see no problems with the Maps application. But the popular consensus from reading any media website is that the new Apple Maps application is a step backward from the old. “From what I’ve heard, the new [Maps application] is not as good,” Blattner said. “They switched providers from Google when people were already happy with it. You know, why would they do that?”