New Apple iPhone 5 maps app frustrates users

Missing locations and several other inaccuracies in Apple's new map app for iPhone 5 have caused a barrage of criticism ahead of the updated smartphone's release to the public tomorrow.

The new software often displays shop, restaurant and even train station streets away from their actual location.

According to some tech reviewers, some of the locations that appear to be missing include:

• William Shakespeare's birthplaceStratford-upon-Avon.
• Paddington Station in London.
• Tokyo Station.

In another glitch,the app shows London, England, as having a Woolworths store, even though the chain haslong been shut down. Developers also discovered they weredirected to London, Ont., not the British capital, when they plugged in the search word "London."

In June, Apple announced it was creating its own mapping software and would no longer offer users of the iPhone 5 the Google Maps app.

Software operates on other Apple products

Data from navigation specialist TomTom was used for the new app. The Dutch company says it was only the data provider and is not responsible for how it works.

The software, which is already installed on the new iPhone, is grouped with the latest version of Apple's operating system, iOS6.

It operates on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

Although the Google mapping app is gone from the new system,owners of the latest iPhone can still access it through their web browser.

The retail launch of iPhone 5 is set for Friday.