Yes, Really
Apple, Google, and MapQuest, respectively
If you’re a person of a certain age, you remember MapQuest well. We used to look up our routes in advance, print out directions and maps, and even plan our stops along the trip before we even hit the road. It was, admittedly, a little less spontaneous, but often lead to accidental spontaneous adventures off route, with no way back on track except figuring it out. The uncertainty about a trip was a bit of a thrill, but road trips are stressful for plenty of reasons, getting lost doesn’t have to be one of them.
Over time, most people switched to Google Maps. Both Google and MapQuest had mobile apps, but only Google was the front page of the internet and could push you to their own maps. Plus it came pre-installed on Android phones. Then Apple started releasing their own maps, for those on iOS who didn’t want Google’s spyware preinstalled. Everyone had maps preinstalled, and, eventually that was good enough. As a result, MapQuest usage dwindled, but it never fully went away.
Now it’s back for one clear reason: it’s the only mainstream mapping service with some backbone.
MapQuest is the only major map app where you can find Lake Ontario, the Gulf of Mexico, and, now, the surveillance cameras—like Flock—in your area. Thanks to that, MapQuest, in its 30th year, has become a top app.
What’s in a Name?
The start of MapQuest’s climb back to the top of the app charts came when they gave you the same power as someone who we can only assume is a narcissist with dementia: you could rename the Gulf of America and Lake Ontario anything you want. MapQuest released a webpage where you could make a map with your own name for the Gulf of Mexico. Later, they did the same for Lake Ontario. Both of which Trump “renamed” during separate hissy fits.
MapQuest also started selling “We’re not changing it” and “It’s Lake Ontario on MapQuest” merchandise, including tees and totes.
This change alone drove MapQuest up to the top of the App Store in September.
Deflock Your Drive
Even the Hills have eyes
Surprisingly, MapQuest found other ways to stick it to fascists. MapQuest released an update to their app that adds a new layer. Now you can load up traffic and a layer with all of the surveillance cameras in your area.
The map includes license plate readers, Flock cameras, and other similar cameras from Axis Communications, Axon, Genetec, Leonardo (ELSAG), Motorola Solutions (Vigilant), Neology, PlateSmart, Rekor, Ubicquia, Verkada, and others.
MapQuest will even tell you what way the camera is facing, in case you want to approach them from behind, for some reason.
MapQuest’s Comeback is Well-Deserved
Big Tech™ caved to Trump like it was what they wanted all along. The moment he started the farce that has been his second term, they were there to support him. AI tools, support for ICE, shiny trinkets to distract him, censorship, increased harassment on feeds, and even renaming locations in the world just because Trump decided it should be named after America. Though, rumor has it, Google finally grew a single vertebrae before he could have “Trump Ocean,” and, as usual, the TACO chief did what he does, and backed down. The smallest amount of spine would silence him, but no one has one left.
Except, it seems, MapQuest. MapQuest stood up to the nation’s top bully when no one else had the guts to do so.
MapQuest mocked Trump, allowing their users to rename the things he tried to. They show where the tracking cameras used by police, ICE, and more. MapQuest chose a side, and it’s all of ours. I know what mapping app I’ll be using for a while. Welcome back, MapQuest.
Sources:
- Aj Dellinger, Gizmodo
- Michael Kan, PC Mag
- Jason Koebler, Joseph Cox, 404 Media
- Ramishah Maruf, CNN
- Maya Yang, The Guardian