There should be lots of interesting developments along this front over the next few years. We already are familiar with Google Earth and Google Maps. Recently Apple has entered this territory with its own brand of mapping software. Most of these applications are provided free, of course. Supported by advertising or offered as good will to support hardware sales, it would seem that there are no opportunities here. However, there are numerous small companies supplying the data to the larger titans. The data flows like a river to the consumer. Google, Apple and several others are mere channels, but they do pay for map services. Maps must be kept up to date, and there is much growth as navigations systems in automobiles become more ubiquitous.
Discussion of the politics of map making by government entities is encouraged, however partisan bickering will not be tolerated. Standard rules of civility apply.
For reference here is the link to the National Atlas home page. |
