How do we know this is Apple trying to hurt Google? How do we know this isn't Google trying to hurt Apple?
The fact that this sucks so bad for Apple's users and seems to be a net positive for Google would seem to indicate it is likely to be otherwise. The fact that Apple extolled the virtues of its map is immaterial. Of course they are going to do that.
By refusing to grant them a license to their map data in iOS 6? or placing such demands and restrictions on the license that it's preferable to Apple to just go with what they have?
The "license other" has been covered elsewhere, but do you really believe the current solution is more of a problem for Apple than no maps would have been?
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.
The fact that this sucks so bad for Apple's users and seems to be a net positive for Google would seem to indicate it is likely to be otherwise. The fact that Apple extolled the virtues of its map is immaterial. Of course they are going to do that.