Apple CEO Tim Cook has posted a public letter to Apple's website in order to apologize for the backlash caused by iOS 6 Maps. In the letter, Cook writes that Apple "fell short on this commitment" to make the best products for its customers, suggesting that customers can use alternatives from the App Store like Bing, Mapquest, or Waze—or they can use the mobile websites for Google or Nokia.

Maps did not receive a glowing reception when iOS 6 was launched earlier this month. In our own review, we pointed out that the driving directions took us to incorrect places and we were very unhappy with the absence of built-in transit directions—despite alternatives being made by developers. Others have echoed these statements, and a mini-uproar (colloquially being referred to as "Mapgate") has begun among Apple-watchers and the general public alike.

Things have apparently gotten bad enough to spur Cook to write a Jobs-style public letter. Below is the full text of the letter, which once again promises that Apple is making improvements to the app.