The controversy over Apple's new Maps app, which has faced a lot of criticism, continues. Even though iFans have welcomed the latest iPhone 5, several niggles and functionality issues have dogged Apple's latest iOS 6 operating system's Maps application.

Google Maps have been a standard feature on the iPhone since it debuted in 2007. However, Apple decided to discontinue Google Maps and introduce its own mapping service in the iOS 6. Since the launch of iOS 6, users have reported problems with the new maps app, which lacks detailing and omits public transit directions.

Apple's highly-touted 3D flyover feature has also come under the scanner. The feature frequently displays comically distorted images that look like major landmarks and structures have been destroyed. The Statue of Liberty and The Brooklyn Bridge are conspicuously absent on the map.

"Designed by Apple from the ground up, Maps gives you turn-by-turn spoken directions, interactive 3D views, and the stunning Flyover feature. All of which may just make this app the most beautiful, powerful mapping service ever," indicated Apple's Web site before the series of Apple Maps failure.

However, with the ongoing fracas surrounding Apple's mapping service, the company changed the second sentence of that copy to read: "All in a beautiful vector-based interface that scales and zooms with ease."

User reactions towards Apple Maps have been so intense that in a bid to placate users and resolve the Maps app issues, the company's career Web site revealed that it is hiring software engineers to work on the application. The company's CEO Tim Cook also released an apology to its customers.

"At Apple, we strive to make world-class products that deliver the best experience possible to our customers. With the launch of our new Maps last week, we fell short on this commitment. We are extremely sorry for the frustration this has caused our customers and we are doing everything we can to make Maps better," said Cook.

Furthermore, Tim Cook also stated that in the interim users could try alternative map apps like Bing, MapQuest, and Waze from the App Store, or use Google or Nokia maps.

Apple is tackling plenty of embarrassment because of its mapping service. Even if the company fixes the app, it is anybody's guess if users will re-employ the services of the Apple Maps feature in the near future.