MapQuest reaches top navigation ranking on Apple App Store after keeping Lake Ontario name

While Google Maps and Apple Maps adopted the change for U.S. users, MapQuest chose to keep the historical name. MapQuest reported that hundreds of thousands of people downloaded the app after the decision, driving usage to approximately 50 times its normal level. As of August 30, the app was ranked as the No. 1 navigation app and the No. 8 free app overall in the U.S. App Store. Doug Berger, general manager of MapQuest, stated that the company wanted to provide an app that kept the names people are familiar with. The company also expanded a feature allowing users to rename the Lake Ontario entry themselves. Eric Yaverbaum, CEO of Ericho Communications, noted that MapQuest capitalized on a cultural moment by not forcing the change, but he cautioned that companies should be careful when entering political issues.