Apple has ousted the executive who oversaw the mobile maps program which was a spectacular flop, a report said Tuesday.
The
Dow Jones website AllThingsD, citing a source familiar with the matter,
reported that Rich Williamson was fired last week in an extension of a
shakeup at the California tech giant begun a month ago.
Apple did not respond to an AFP request for comment.
The
news comes a month after Apple announced the departure of its head of
the mobile software unit, Scott Forstall, as well as retail chief John
Browett.
Apple last month said it was promoting other executives
including Jon Ive, Bob Mansfield, Eddy Cue and Craig Federighi to better
integrate hardware, software and services.
Apple has in recent
months launched the iPhone 5, the mobile operating system iOS 6, iPad
mini, and new versions of the iPad, iMac, MacBook Pro, iPod touch and
iPod nano.
Apple was forced to make a highly embarrassing apology
in September for its glitch-ridden maps application in the new operating
system used by the iPhone 5 and urged customers to use rival programs
while improvements are made.
Apple developed its own mapping
program included in its new mobile iOS 6 operating system, and in doing
so booted off Google Maps, which had been the default program for Apple
devices.
But the new Apple program immediately drew scorn for
omitting key landmarks and cities, failing to identify correct locations
and distorting views from its images.