iOS 6 Features, Release Date Problems Not Affecting Downloads, Users at 60 Percent, Issues Almost Resolved at Apple

Despite the initial bugs surrounding the roll out Apple's iOS 6, the company seems to have resolved the majority of its issues, and users are clearly pleased, according to a report from advertising and analytics company Chitka.

Chitka released updated metrics on ad impressions dating back to when iOS 6 came out last month that say more than half of iPhones in the U.S. and Canada are already on Apple's latest operating system. The data reveals that 60 percent of iPhone users have now downloaded iOS 6, as well as 45 percent of iPad users, and 39 percent of iPod users.

"Overall, this data points to Apple doing an outstanding job of keeping their user base up-to-date with the latest OS," Chitika said in a blog post. "By comparison, Google's latest data shows only 22 percent of its users being on its two most recent versions of Android."

Chitka released a report one day after iOS 6's release on Sept. 19, which said that 15 percent of iOS users were already on the newest OS.

iOS 6 was touted as having added "over 200 new features," according to Apple. A new maps application hat uses Apple's own data and replaces Google Maps was one of the most immediately polarizing features. The update also included big changes to Siri that add more information about movies, restaurants, and sports scores; as well as deep integration with Facebook.

The failure of Apple's maps app has been difficult to ignore. Virtually everyone seems to agree the new app is a total blunder.

Apple CEO Tim Cook even recently formally apologized for the app, saying the company was "extremely sorry" for the frustration its caused users.

Tech site T3 quickly noted that even with its aesthetically pleasing appearance, and some nice features, the functionality of Apple's Maps' search was reportedly "hit and miss in terms of finding London locations." Apparently, Apple's new app displays more road names than place names, and does away with color-coded roads, so, navigating to a specific point using pinch and zoom is much trickier.

Engadget thought the app wasn't nearly as comprehensive as Google's offerings on Android, but said the app's biggest drawback was its lack of public transportation directions, so if you haven't mastered the subway yet, you won't be getting any help from Maps.

And while asking for subway directions doesn't work particularly well, according to Engadget, the app actually does offer public transportation directions. However, if you choose that option it shoots you straight into the App Store with a search for "Routing Apps," a search that currently has zero results.

Apple Maps lacks the kind of detailed layering that you can apply in Google Maps and Google Navigation, and shows you whatever you want to see. Maps will list some important places of interest -- mostly gas stations and convenience shops -- but if you want to see all Italian restaurants on your route you'll have to dig deeper.

While Maps does show traffic, Engadget says it never saw it give a warning about traffic along a route currently being navigated.

Allthingsd said the app was a step backward from Google Maps. While Apple's maps feature a 3-D "Flyover" view of some central cities, they lack Google's very useful ground-level photographic street views. And while the site thought Apple's maps were accurate, they reportedly tend to default to a more zoomed-in view than Google's, making them look emptier until you zoom out.

Maps also reportedly lacks key details on prominent cities, and in one instance, an entire town was in the wrong location. Users also found duplicate islands and other bizarre quirks.

Even Google Maps designer Fred Gilbert who worked with Apple on the original Google Maps app for the first iPhone voiced his incredible disappointment with Apple Maps over Google+, saying "as one of the original designers of Google Mobile Maps I remember how difficult it was working with Apple. But this just blows my mind," according to seroundtable.com.

Apple is reportedly currently trying to lure ex-Google Maps staff to help improve its Maps app.

Some users have reported problems with Wi-Fi connection on their devices, although the problem now looks to be at least slowly improving, as complaints seem to be dying down on user forums, and Apple crowd sources users and employees for information. 

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