Apple Renames Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America in Maps App

Apple has officially rebranded the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America within its Maps app, following an executive order issued by US President Donald Trump on his initial day in office. This change is in accordance with the official map amendments made by the US government. Although Google Maps has already adopted this new naming convention, platforms such as Bing Maps and MapQuest have not yet made the updates.

Update Rollout for Apple Maps App

As reported by Bloomberg, this update will be initially accessible to users in the United States starting Tuesday, with plans for a worldwide rollout soon thereafter. The Apple Maps app is frequently utilized on devices like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and the recent introduction of a web-based version aims to provide competition against Google Maps.

Reactions to the Renaming

The renaming has elicited mixed responses. Republican lawmakers have commended Google for its prompt adaptation and have expressed frustration towards Apple for its slower response, with US Representative Greg Steube remarking on Facebook that Apple appears to be “still lost at sea.”

Conversely, the decision has been met with criticism, as numerous users have accused Google of succumbing to political influence. The government of Mexico has also expressed significant discontent, arguing that the US cannot unilaterally alter the name of a body of water that is jointly shared by both nations.

Following Trump’s election, high-profile tech leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google’s Sundar Pichai, have been noted attending events alongside the president, including his inauguration.