Since it will probably take so long for Apple to fix its Maps problem, Tim Cook has offered some alternatives in his apology for the less-than-perfect app. In a note to customers Cook says: "While we’re improving Maps, you can try alternatives by downloading map apps from the App Store like Bing, MapQuest and Waze, or use Google or Nokia maps by going to their websites and creating an icon on your home screen to their web app," he wrote. That's a pretty big admission that the company messed up. Even noted Apple superfan David Pogue wrote a bad review of the app in The New York Times. 

As far as plans for improving his own product, Cook reiterated that the more people that use the app the better it will get. Plus the company has started hiring. If that doesn't make it better any time soon, Google is also reportedly trying to get an iPhone app up by Christmas. Until then, Google Maps' mobile web site, which will soon have street view, will have to do. 

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