New Apple iPhone software puts zoo in city centre (From Hereford Times)

Map software places zoo in Hereford city centre

9:00am Friday 28th September 2012 in News By Lauren Rogers

NEW map software for the Apple iPhone has bizarrely put a zoo in Hereford city centre.

Millions of iPhone and iPad users who downloaded Apple’s new operating system last week noticed a host of glitches and errors – including the sudden arrival of exotic animals in Commercial Road.

While the zoo definitely doesn’t exist, the Hereford Times believes the mistake was made because local business Zoo Venues used to be based at 20 Commercial Road.

James Mackenzie, director of Zoo Venues – a management company that runs venues at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – was amused, if a little bemused, to hear his company was being marked out on iPhone maps with a picture of an elephant.

“Sorry to disappoint anyone looking for a zoo,” he said. “Maybe we should open one.”

Within minutes of launching its iOS6 operating system, which comes preloaded with the Apple maps instead of the Google maps, smartphone users were reporting problems.

According to reports London’s Paddington station had disappeared, Sears Tower in Chicago had moved, and people’s private homes were showing up as fish and chip shops.

It appeared the maps are using out-of-date information which could help explain why the fictional zoo appeared in Commercial Street when Zoo Venues actually moved out of those premises six years ago and is now based in Moor Street, more than half a mile away.

Other mistakes have seen the siting of Charlotte’s wine bar, Doodies and Cafe India in Hereford, despite the businesses closing a number of years ago.

Apple has since said that it is working to improve the application and “make the customer experience better”.