In the event you search maps web sites for details about the Gulf of Mexico this week in the US, you will note that, relying on which service you employ, the acquainted physique of water might need a brand new identify—or not.
These search outcomes exemplify the problems stemming from know-how firms’ various insurance policies for following President Donald Trump’s government order to rename that space of the Atlantic ocean because the “Gulf of America.”
On Tuesday morning, Google searches for the Gulf of Mexico will return an official “Gulf of America” data panel on the high, full with a tile displaying the up to date identify on Google Maps.
Curious how different on-line maps are reacting? I did some looking to search out out. Google seems to be the primary firm to start out utilizing the “Gulf of America” identify on a serious navigation service, but it surely’s unclear whether or not different apps, like Apple Maps, will finally comply with swimsuit. We’ll hold this checklist up to date as firms probably change their itemizing for the Gulf of Mexico.
Apple Maps
Map: Courtesy of Apple
Not like Google Maps, its foremost competitor for smartphone navigation apps, Apple Maps has not but modified its naming for the Gulf of Mexico. Bloomberg stories the identify change is coming to Apple Maps very quickly.
Baidu Maps
Map: Courtesy of Baidu
The navigation app from certainly one of China’s main know-how firms, Baidu Maps, nonetheless lists the identify because the Gulf of Mexico, in keeping with a screenshot offered by WIRED senior enterprise editor Louise Matsakis.
Bing Maps
Map: Courtesy of Bing Maps
Not solely does Microsoft’s Bing Maps function nonetheless checklist that space of the ocean because the Gulf of Mexico, it even repeats itself by naming the Gulf of Mexico twice.
Google Maps
Map: Courtesy of Google
For now, Google is the one on-line map I examined displaying the Gulf of America identify. Although, the app didn’t totally decide to displaying solely the Trump-ordered identify to these in the US throughout my exams. Once I was zoomed in, Google Maps listed it as Gulf of America, however as quickly as I zoomed out additional it switched to the nebulously phrased “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
HERE WeGo
Map: Courtesy of WeGo
A European navigation app that makes a speciality of offline maps, HERE WeGo nonetheless lists it because the Gulf of Mexico.
Mapbox
Map: Courtesy of Mapbox
Mapbox supplies customized maps for firms like Strava and Snapchat utilizing knowledge partially sourced from the open-source mapping platform OpenStreetMap. Whereas not a navigation service itself, the corporate does nonetheless embody a screenshot displaying the Gulf of Mexico on its web site.
MapQuest
Map: Courtesy of MapQuest
One of many pioneers for on-line mapping, MapQuest continues to checklist that space of the Atlantic Ocean because the Gulf of Mexico.
MapXplorer
Map: Courtesy of MapXplorer
One of many high 5 free navigation apps for American customers on Apple’s iOS retailer, MapXplorer (iOS, Android) has not modified the identify from the Gulf of Mexico.
OpenStreetMap
Map: Courtesy of OpenStreetMap
A well-liked mapping platform that’s run by volunteers and supplies underlying knowledge for quite a few apps, OpenStreetMap discussion board customers have mentioned altering the identify, but it surely stays the identical for now.
TomTom
Map: Courtesy of Tomtom
Trying out the corporate’s free model with TomTom’s AmiGO smartphone app, I nonetheless noticed the Gulf of Mexico identify on my display screen.
Yandex
Map: Courtesy of Yandex
The navigation function from certainly one of Russia’s high tech firms, Yandex, nonetheless reveals the identical identify to American customers.
