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MapQuest Tops App Store Charts After Refusing 'Lake America' Change
MapQuest has surged to the top of app charts in Canada and ranks fourth in the U.S. after rejecting a presidential order to rename 'Lake Ontario' to 'Lake America'. The app's popularity reflects users' support for familiar geographical terminology. In contrast, competitors like Google Maps have complied with the name change, showing a divide in user preferences and corporate responses to political pressure.
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Published 31 Aug 2026, 15:45 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- MapQuest becomes the top free iPhone app in Canada and fourth in the U.S.
- Refused to change 'Lake Ontario' to 'Lake America' following presidential order.
- General manager Doug Berger emphasized maintaining familiar names.
- Hundreds of thousands of downloads signaled positive user response.
- Google Maps has already complied with the name change.
Interesting facts
- The decision resonates with a significant portion of users preferring traditional names.
- MapQuest's popularity contrasted with competitors who acquiesced to the change.