Apple Maps revamp in Australia: No they’re not rewriting our names

The furore over the decision by Apple to ‘impose’ Indigenous names on Aussie maps is a pretty big over reaction when you actually look at what they’ve done, writes Mark Furler. JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Local children are being encouraged to share images of their areas via Apple Maps.

Apple’s move to add Indigenous names and territories to its Maps product should have been a good news story for the tech giant.

But judging by the reaction of some of our readers across Australia there were far more flames than bouquets.

Many were threatening to ditch their iPhones, some shared advice on how to delete Apple Maps, while others were saying Google Maps was a far better option anyway.

Apple’s decision to make it something you could not opt out of was undoubtedly the most contentious.

About 60 per cent of our readers thought it should be optional, while another 28 per cent thought the changes were confusing.

Some felt it was the big bad tech giant imposing their ‘woke’ view of the world on the masses.

Many of those commenting probably haven’t even looked at the new features and how it works on Apple Maps.

I’ve had a good look since it has gone live and there are some key things to note.

Apple Maps will allow local Indigenous groups to tell their stories via place cards.

The first, and most important thing, is that no existing name has been ‘changed by Apple’.

If you search for Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast, Darwin, Melbourne and Sydney, that’s what you will find.

If you say Hey Siri, “Get me directions to Fraser Island, it will give you directions to K’gari, because that is the official place name.

Apple Maps will show the Indigenous names of more places like K'gari (formerly Fraser Island).

As you scroll across Queensland, you don’t come across the subtle overlays marking Indigenous territories until you are up around North Queensland.

You have to zoom in to see the Indigenous names.

Place names like Cairns, Mackay, Townsville, Cooktown, and Port Douglas are far more prominent.

It’s a similar experience scrolling across most of our capital cities and towns.

Apple Maps overlays show Indigenous lands.

Apple says it made the addition of Indigenous names non optional because it is in line with its vision of creating the best and most accurate map in the world.

As it pointed out this week, the place names added as overlays and dual names are not ones they have come up with, or imposed on users, but rather based on the names being used by governments and Indigenous groups.

They are the same names that are featured in the The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies maps that are published online.

Reading through some of the comments, it is clear that some people have misunderstood the changes.

Indigenous people are happy to be able to share their stories via Apple Maps.

But probably what we should all remember is that many of the names of our towns and streets across Australia have Indigenous origins.

The Indigenous culture is something that is rich and interesting to many Australians.

Seeing images of Indigenous children capturing their town on iPads and being able to share them with the world through place cards on Apple Maps should be something we celebrate.

For Indigenous people, being able to share their story, their history, and their place in our country and the world, is important to them. It’s about them saying ‘we’re here’, this is where we live, this is what we love about it.

We should celebrate all that is special about living in this ancient land, including our First Nations people.

MOST LIKED COMMENTS BY READERS

Bees1

Why is this even being contemplated 61% of Australians voted against this sort of thing in the voice vote.

Eric

Should be optional, I’m not interested.

Teresa

That’s it. If I can’t opt out of this, my next phone is Android.

Wayne

More woke race based politics – I will opt out or stop using iPhones

Michael

One reason I have an android phone, and still call it Ayers Rock.

SusanneWell, that just about tells me all I need to know about you Michael. Android, Apple, whatever, but there's really no longer a defendable excuse for calling it Ayers Rock other than absolute ignorance or worse.

Fortress Queensland

Apple has misjudged this move very badly. Peter Time to ditch the iPhone. Did they not learn from Woolworths etc?

R

So I pay $2k for a iphone and it’s gone woke. I’ve just deleted the app and will get an Android next time. Bye bye.

Alan

 Goodbye Apple and Good Riddance. How dare you tell me what to call the names of the places in the Country I was born in.

Richard

 This will just totally confuse everyone; tourists, businesses, locals. Why are we having this pushed on us? We haven't voted for this. It’s a dictatorial decision. Is this a case of the ‘silent majority’ not being heard?

Jim

 This is meaningless. The object of naming and way finding is to provide people with knowledge of where to go or where they are. The proposed names mean nothing to 97%of the population. It is pure virtue signalling that alienates the majority.

Peter

 In one blow, Apple Maps has become useless. Try remembering just 3 such names, let alone spell or pronounce them. The pain and confusion resulting from this move are just not worth it. Not even all of Australia’s Indigenous community with some 250 language groups would have a clue. Apple, this is a clueless move.

Originally published as Apple Maps revamp in Australia: No they’re not rewriting our names