Who provided the data for the "Maps" app prior to iOS 6 again? I've forgotten...
An alternative would be no maps, but as bad as the new maps app is, it is clearly better than no maps.
Another option might be licensing somebody else's maps, but we don't know that they didn't try and fail to find somebody willing or find some somebody willing but with, on balance, no better data than Apple currently has (or slightly better but at the cost of another long-term deal that keeps them from controlling this critical part of their platform).
Maybe Apple really did do this out of hubris alone, but, as arrogant as they are, I find that explanation to be the one that requires the most suspension of disbelief.
An alternative would be no maps, but as bad as the new maps app is, it is clearly better than no maps.
Another option might be licensing somebody else's maps, but we don't know that they didn't try and fail to find somebody willing or find some somebody willing but with, on balance, no better data than Apple currently has (or slightly better but at the cost of another long-term deal that keeps them from controlling this critical part of their platform).
Maybe Apple really did do this out of hubris alone, but, as arrogant as they are, I find that explanation to be the one that requires the most suspension of disbelief.