Google officially changes the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Maps
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/02/10/google-gulf-of-mexico-america-maps/78394410007/Open linkView original on lemmy.world303
Comments74https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/02/10/google-gulf-of-mexico-america-maps/78394410007/Open linkView original on lemmy.world
Ok internet, lets sing a song called "non-google alternative map programs", ill start.
OpenStreetMap!
(I dont know the rest of the words... Halp)
Well, I just opened Apple Maps and typed in “gulf of america” and got 0 results. I typed in “gulf of mexico” and got a big bold label across the correct location saying “Gulf of Mexico”.
Under Google Maps, for either of them, I get Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).
That’s because they use open street map (and other providers).
May be time for Android users to switch to iPhone, then?
or just install a non invasive os that doesnt steal your data..
Or just use any other maps app. You can avoid Google entirely even on Android. Just takes bit of effort.
Sure I'll go support this little caritative company by buying a new ethical phone instead of using e/os or whatever alternatives there is! 😁
Organic Maps!
This is what I use as well. It even has Open Street Maps profile integration.
Magic Earth!
Love them, they almost seem too good to be true
Here Wego (formerly Nokia maps)
Just submitted some feedback.
Reported and left a one-star review for mislabeled locations.
Google Shadow banned all low reviews about the change and removed the ability to edit the location.
Not surprised.
Submitted as well
We must share a brain, because I did the same earlier too.
Well, I called them "dipshit collaborators" but you know.
It's important to remember that the only reason he can get away with everything is because lots of other powerful people are going along with it.
and by doing so, those 'lots of other powerful people' are getting less powerful by the hour. we may even be down to one or two scRotus rulings from those particular people not being needed anymore.
There's a simple explanation for that: they're more committed to fascism than to their own self-interests.
Rich and powerful doesn't mean wise.
Everyone always thinks they'll be on the life raft. That they're on the "inside" group.
History, statistics and economics would show the vast majority will not be, but they are willing to give up everything everyone else has, as well as risk all they own, to guzzle down the hopium that they'll hit the jackpot and be even filthier richer than they already are.
The shoe drop and leopard face-eating is inevitable, as is the fact another asshole will immediately start claiming if we just give him all the power and wealth that will be the fix.
Google has no credibility except that of complicity.
Time for a repeat comment: Organic Maps does everything Google Maps does (except traffic conditions), and is FOSS. Please encourage places to contribute business information to Open Street Maps.
I've been trying to fill in the data around me. It's not there yet. But I'm trying.
And I'm not in some backwater area. I'm just outside Chicago and when I go into the city I'm still filling things out.
No traffic data is a deal breaker for me.
Have you tried Magic Earth? It's based on Open Street Maps but it has real time traffic data.
No, but I'll take a look
Thanks
I also recommend StreetComplete (fdroid), an app that lets you contribute to the OpenStreetMaps database. It shows you a local map and asks questions like, how wide is this road? What kind of road is it? Is there a pedestrian crossing here? What kind of parking is here? How do power lines attach to this pole? etc.
Yea, we use this when we pre-map gravel rides by filling in the road types.
I really doubt that's true, but I'll give it a shot... it doesn't seem like they position it as a good tool for driving directions, which is my main use case. Lack of traffic data is sort of a big part of that. How well they keep up to date based on things like road construction and changes is important, too.
Might as well try it out. The quality of the maps also varies from city to city, so you might have a different experience compared to others. I find I'm able to get around reliably around my city on my bike.
I tried to report it in google maps, but it says you can't report on that area.
Probably just because there are no streets or landmarks there. I went through the "submit feedback" option, it took a screenshot of the Gulf, and let me submit with no issues
Apple maps still remains shite tho
I can't recommend Organic Maps enough
I'll check it out
I guess for your needs then. It's quite useless when you're in a third world country trying to find the street you're on. Whole districts have no ID on apple maps.
It's not quite as information-full as Google Maps, which still seems to be the leader there unfortunately, but it is getting close. I also tend to get better walking directions from it. Google Maps has some weird ideas about avoiding footpaths that will get you somewhere faster, at least around here. I'm thinking maybe because it doesn't count some places where cars can't drive.
Public act of fealty. Google has officially kissed the ring of the mad king. Realize what that means for the way they handle business moving forward.
They’ll still end up like all of Trump’s other business partners in the end. Betrayed, unpaid, and regretful.
Spineless collaborators. Fuck you, google.
Google is helping the rich try to take over the world?
Dam i always thought the richest company on the planet was looking out for the little guy!
Lmao but seriously nothing will meaningfully improve until the rich fear for their lives
Finally uninstalled Google Maps. Installed Organic Maps, instead. (f-droid).
You just couldn't resist sucking up to Trump, could you Google? Remember when your company motto was, "don't be evil?" That was 20 years ago.
I say it all the time however, people seem to hate to hear it.
Google has a monopoly on the internet and at this point is too big to fail, if you ever install the No-Script add on to any web browser and block any of googles tracking related javascript you’ll notice a vast majority of websites simply no longer function.
Whenever I bring up topics relating to digital privacy & security people seem to shrug it off and simply say “I’ve got nothing to hide”, it’s about setting a standard that people don’t want to be tracked and monitored like shrill 5 year olds.
Open Street Map hasen't
Simply disgusting. Still hunting for a good alternative though... It's hard since Google Maps is so good - especially for searching for things. Organic Maps is pretty good so far though.
I'm in the exact same boat my friend. I hate using gmaps but I also can't really find anything in organic maps.
Yeah it's pretty hit-or-miss. Seems to do okay with addresses, but not so well with businesses. I do like that it's offline though. I've used osmand+ for offline stuff and while it's pretty brilliant for a "map" it's simply useless for navigation.
I also have this problem. Especially since I'm living in a new town in a new country. Only Google Maps seems to have the actual information I need. I hate it.
Magic Earth is magical
Cowards
Maybe interesting for people here: There is not 1 Google Maps.
There is a version per country.
Open it in Russia and you might see a larger Russia...
Open it in Ukraine and you might see the Ukraine, as if there was no war...
So, it does not even surprise me that they change the name of something, if they even change borders...
I now see the following: „Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)“
I’m in Europe. Yes, there’s a version per country (or at least there are multiple versions), but this change is also made for places that will continue to call it Gulf of Mexico. Its annoying.
Same in the UK.
Same, but still reviewed it 1 star. Shame my car can only use Google maps natively...
Funnily enough in Mexico it's still called Gulf of Mexico, no brackets or anything. I'm wondering if that's the only place where it didn't change.
I'm in the US and I see this if I zoom out a bit.
(Psst: It's "Ukraine", not "the Ukraine". It was "the Ukraine" when it was a territory of the Russian Empire. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_of_Ukraine)
It’s time to switch to the private ![email protected]
Reciew bomb it to oblivion. Google sides with fascism. Next stop map out where minorities are (lgbtq, unregistered foreigners etc.)...
When are they changing Lake
MichiganIllinois?shameless butt kissing
Larry Page and Sergey Brin are rolling in their graves.
Does an executive order make it an official governmental name?
This executive order stuff over there in the US unfolds as a really bad idea.
I like mapquest
Alternative can be TomTom AmiGO (nice pun in this matter) for your navigation needs
Well, that's what it is for 4% of the world's population. For the rest of the world it's business as usual as the US is smelling its own farts.
From Australia they're using parenthesis to display it as an uncommon name.
Same in Canada.
They're doing that in the US as well, but only if you zoom in, weird
I call it baby bumpers ... Google maps has placed baby bumpers on its service for Americans so that they don't hurt themselves with anger.
Fuck you Google
I’m fine with this. America includes Canada, Mexico, & all of South America. This change promotes diversity & inclusion. Stay woke. 🫶