In a letter posted on Apple’s website and addressed to its customers, Apple CEO Tim Cook apologizes for the new Apple Maps that comes with the new operating system for the iPhone, and even goes so far as to suggest that iPhone users use Google Maps until Apple Maps improves.

It’s a startlingly frank apology and suggestion since Apple Maps is basically intended to replace Google Maps on the iPhone.

Cook writes: "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."

Apple Maps comes with the operating sytem, iOS 6, installed on the new iPhone 5. In addition, when current owners of Apple devices download iOS 6, the new operating system automatically deletes Google Maps on any of those older devices, replacing it with Apple Maps.

Cook wrote: "While we’re improving [Apple] 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."