New York - Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company is "extremely sorry" for the frustration its Maps application has caused and it's doing everything it can to make it better. In the meantime, he recommended that people use competing map applications to get around.

Cook said in a letter posted online Friday that Apple "fell short" of its commitment to make the best products for its customers.

"Everything we do at Apple is aimed at making our products the best in the world. We know that you expect that from us, and we will keep working non-stop until Maps lives up to the same incredibly high standard," Cook said.

The Cupertino, Calif., company released an update to its iPhone and iPad operating system last week that replaced Google Maps with Apple's own map application. But users complained that the new map software offers fewer details, lacks public transit directions and misplaces landmarks, among other problems. Users have been flocking to social media to complain and make fun of the app's glitches, which included judging landscape features by their names.

It's an unusual misstep for Apple, the world's most valuable company. Apple prides itself on releasing best-of-class products, but there have been mishaps - even under founder and late CEO Steve Jobs, whose dogged perfectionism is legendary.