The amazing iOS 6 maps fail

Think back over the years and there have been many tech and gadget announcements that have been billed as 'the next big thing' but, in reality, few manage to achieve, yet alone maintain that status.

Against the backdrop of the launch of their flagship iPhone 5 handset, Apple made a headline-grabbing attempt to strike out on its own by breaking free of Google's own maps technology. Unfortunately for Apple this made the news for all the wrong reasons... As the laughter begins to die down after embarrassing glitches were uncovered in Apple's iOS 6 maps app - a careful look through the history of gadgetdom will tell there have been more than a few other tech disasters along the way.

We've selected some classic examples, and as you'll see - while the timing of a product is paramount it also helps if you've got a good idea in the first place too...