In an unexpected twist that few saw coming, the old-school mapping service MapQuest took the No. 1 spot on Apple’s free app charts in both the United States and Canada this week.

The app’s popularity surged after it refused to replace Lake Ontario with “Lake America.” What may seem like a small decision breathed new life into a mapping brand many associate with dial-up internet and printed driving directions.

All of this started after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 27, directing federal agencies to adopt “Lake America” as the official U.S. name for Lake Ontario. It didn’t take long for Google and Apple to fall in line, changing the lake’s name for U.S. users. However, MapQuest took a different stance, posting on X: “We’re not changing it.”

The OG mapping company read the room correctly, and the response was immediate. MapQuest’s parent company, System1, said in an August 31 press release that “hundreds of thousands of downloads [pushed] usage to 50 times its normal rate.”

Estimates from mobile analytics firm Sensor Tower, cited by TechCrunch, found that 56% of MapQuest’s U.S. downloads for all of 2026 came between August 27 and September 1.

MapQuest Gave Users a Reason to Reconsider the Default

Google Maps and Apple Maps have been the go-to apps for driving directions for years. A big reason for that is their deep integration with the phones millions of people already use.

Most people haven’t had much of a reason to shop around for other navigation apps when the default on their phones already works.

That was until MapQuest suddenly gave them one with its decision to stand on principle and refuse to capitulate to President Trump’s demand to rename Lake Ontario, the way Google and Apple did.

MapQuest’s newfound stardom suggests that default status doesn’t always equal loyalty. When companies make a product decision that clashes with user preferences, it can be enough to push people to find an alternative they might never have considered.

MapQuest General Manager Doug Berger told CNN the company had passed 1.5 million installs and said, “usage is through the roof.” This suggests that at least some of those new users are actually using the app, making it more than just a symbolic download.

Keeping Those Users Will Be the Harder Part

Getting people to download an app is one thing; convincing them to stick around and use it is another. By generating more than 1.5 million installs, MapQuest has completed the first step with flying colors.

Now the company has to compete with years of investment by Google and Apple in traffic data, business listings, transit directions, saved places, and in-car integration.

It’s clear the company recognizes this unique opportunity. Berger said new users have already started making feature requests and submitting bug reports, while MapQuest’s Google Play listing now promotes an Android Auto beta.

The public’s response to MapQuest’s efforts will determine whether this becomes a brief App Store spike or turns into something that lasts.

MapQuest has already convinced consumers to reconsider their default mapping app. Now it has to give them enough reasons to keep opening MapQuest after the controversy fades.

Also in Consumer Tech News

Firefox Is Adding a Built-In Ad Blocker on iPhones

iPhone users can now block intrusive ads on Firefox without installing a separate extension. The company announced the built-in ad blocker for Firefox on iOS on September 1, saying it “blocks many third-party ads and ad-related trackers before they load.”

The feature uses Apple’s WebKit Content Blocker technology and the EasyList filter list. Unfortunately, it won’t get rid of every ad, such as those that come directly from websites or those that appear in search results. You can enable the new feature by going to Settings > Browsing > Ad Blocker on the Firefox iOS app.

Android Will Remember Where You Put Your Keys

If you have trouble remembering where you left your keys, Google will soon let you enlist Gemini to help find them. As part of its September Android Drop, the tech giant announced that users will soon be able to tell Gemini where they left physical items, such as a passport or spare keys.

Gemini will save the information in Find Hub, where users can add an optional photo and retrieve it later. For example, you can say, “Hey Google, remember in Find Hub that I put my extra set of keys in the kitchen drawer.” When you need the item, all you have to do is ask Gemini where it is or check the Find Hub remembered items tab.

The feature will work on Android 16 and newer devices in supported countries. Google is also adding Motion Assist to Android 17, which places moving bubbles on the screen designed to reduce motion sickness while passengers use their phones in a moving vehicle.

Google Wants You to Talk to Gmail and Docs

Google is adding conversational voice controls to some of its most popular and widely used productivity apps. The company announced Gmail Live, Docs Live, and Keep Live on September 3, giving Google AI subscribers new voice tools to search inboxes, create documents, and organize notes.

Gmail Live can search for information buried in a user’s inbox through conversation, while Docs Live can help draft and work through documents using information from services including Gmail and Drive. Keep Live can turn spoken thoughts into organized notes and lists. The features are rolling out now to eligible Google AI subscribers and are coming soon to Google Workspace business customers.

ESPN Unlimited Is Now Built Into YouTube TV

YouTube TV subscribers can now watch ESPN Unlimited programming without leaving the YouTube TV app. Google announced the integration on September 1 for subscribers to the main YouTube TV plan or any plan that includes Sports.

The new design brings programming, including college football, the US Open, PGA Tour events, LaLiga, out-of-market NHL games, and ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentaries, into YouTube TV.

Google also updated the interface with dedicated ESPN Unlimited listings and options for alternate feeds when available. ESPN Fantasy Football users can now link their accounts to YouTube TV as well, so they can follow their fantasy teams while watching live NFL games.

Originally published by Techopedia on September 4, 2026, as part of the Techopedia Consumer Report series.