The Harlow Report-GIS
2025 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
November 24, 2025
Remember When?
A “Harlow Report” From November 24, 2024 —How GIS Became the Enterprise Technology It Is Today
by Nikki Paripovich Stifle
Enterprise technology update: Now known for predictive AI, collaboration tools, and business intelligence, GIS began as a visionary technical tool.
… Through the decades, GIS evolved to take advantage of technological advances—from mainframes to modern supercomputers, satellite imagery, and AI-based predictions. Companies came to embrace GIS as an enterprise technology, making it a go-to resource for corporate leaders to understand where things happen, analyze and predict business impacts, and take informed action.
To understand how a technology originally developed for land management found a loyal following among today's business analysts, managers, and executives requires a dip into the past.
Read full story at Esri…
Now back to 2025
12 Genius Google Maps Settings That'll Make Your Life Easier
by Alina Bradford
Google Maps can do a lot more than give you directions. These smart Google Maps settings are guaranteed to make your life easier.
Summary
Google Maps offers much more than basic navigation. By adjusting specific settings, users can unlock powerful tools to enhance their daily lives and travels. The app allows you to locate nearby amenities – like “Gas” and “Restaurants” – compare ride-share prices, and share your real-time location with loved ones. It also provides detailed layers for checking local air quality, tracking wildfires, and predicting traffic patterns to avoid gridlock.
For commuters and travelers, Maps offers features to find bike paths with terrain views, public transit options, and wheelchair-accessible routes. You can even save your parking spot or browse destinations incognito to protect privacy. Utilizing these hidden tricks transforms Google Maps' utility from a simple GPS — into a comprehensive travel assistant.
Read full story at Reader's Digest…
Beyond Maps: Driving Next-Gen Navigation with AI and Voice Assistance
by Antonio Zugaldia, Senior Engineering Manager, Mapbox
Not long ago, travelers relied on paper maps and handwritten directions to get from point A to point B. Advancements in technology have made navigation more efficient and accessible, transforming the driving experience in profound ways.
Summary
Voice-powered navigation is revolutionizing driving by minimizing screen distractions and leveraging AI for natural communication. As the industry moves beyond basic turn-by-turn directions, automakers are integrating Large Language Models and real-time data to create intelligent, personalized experiences. This evolution is crucial for electric vehicles, offering optimized routing and seamless charging payments.
Beyond logistics, next-generation voice assistants offer conversational, context-aware support, transforming the vehicle into a proactive companion. Coupled with high-definition 3D maps for visual precision — these advancements promise a safer, more intuitive journey. By balancing voice and touch interfaces, OEMs are driving toward a future where navigation is a fully integrated, adaptive experience that prioritizes user convenience and safety.
Read full story at AIThority…
Hexagon to Acquire Inertial Sense, Strengthening Its Positioning Portfolio
by Hexagon Press Release
Hexagon, announced an agreement to acquire Inertial Sense, a provider of tactical-grade global navigation solutions and inertial navigation systems (GNSS+INS), to strengthen the breadth of its positioning portfolio.
Summary
Hexagon has announced the acquisition of Inertial Sense to strengthen its innovation in the autonomous technology sector. This strategic move enhances Hexagon's assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) portfolio by integrating Inertial Sense's affordable, high-performance solutions. With over 30,000 systems deployed globally, the Utah-based company specializes in tactical-grade GNSS+INS technology — delivering centimeter-level accuracy for aerospace, defense, and robotics applications.
Hexagon CEO Anders Svensson stated that these capabilities fit seamlessly into their existing offerings. Expected to generate $5 million in 2025 revenue, Inertial Sense will join Hexagon's Autonomous Solutions division. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is anticipated to finalize in the first half of 2026.
Read full story at Hexagon…
New Learning Resources: Use GIS to Bring Earth Observations to Life
by Earthdata Staff
Looking to brush up your skills in GIS? You're in luck—Earthdata has released new tutorials and data recipes for GIS users.
Summary
Imagine turning NASA’s vast treasure trove of Earth science data into stunning, interactive maps that reveal climate patterns, ecosystem stress, and energy trends in real time. That power is now at your fingertips with Geographic Information Systems (GIS)!
Whether you’re a data scientist, storyteller, or curious explorer, tools like ArcGIS Pro and QGIS let you unlock NASA datasets — from the ECOSTRESS mission tracking plant temperature aboard the ISS to the globally trusted MERRA-2 reanalysis — and transform them into dynamic visualizations.
To make it effortless, NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems GIS Team (EGIST) just released a collection of exciting, step-by-step “data recipes” that guide you through adding files, streaming live web services, and building time-enabled mosaic datasets.
Dive in today:
- Add Downloaded Data to Common GIS Programs
- Use Web/Image Services to Access NASA Earth Science Data
- Create a NetCDF Mosaic in ArcGIS Pro Using MERRA-2 Data
- Create a GeoTIFF Mosaic in ArcGIS Pro Using ECOSTRESS Data
Read full story (and get links to above) at Earthdata (NASA)…
Power Utilities Embrace GIS and Drones for Maintenance
by Jeff Yoders
At Esri's Infrastructure Management and GIS conference, large utilities such as PG&E showed off how they were using geographic information systems when working with contractors and design firms as consultants to help them manage maintenance and asset needs.
Consultant EDM International has worked for utilities like Power New Mexico on initiatives such as how to better predict and prevent damage from wildfires. “You first have to identify where the fire risk is on your landscape,” says Greg Brenton, UAS coordinator and pilot for EDM. “Then [you can] identify where your feeders intersect with those wildfire risk locations. We use the H3 spatial indexing system developed by Uber to compile wildfire risk model output data in a way that makes sense.”
Within the EDM system, each grid cell has a risk score based on those weighted values of wildfire output data. Risk factors could be anything ranging from damaged poles to foliage overgrowing a transmission station. After EDM assigns overall risk scores to each cell, it can visualize those areas on a GIS map.
Read full story at Engineering News–Record…
Industry News
In Government
Debunking AI Security Myths for State and Local Governments
by Jennifer Hebert
Learn how IT officials can secure artificial intelligence systems by building on existing cybersecurity foundations and adopting multilayered strategies.
Listen (06:35)
Summary
State and local governments adopting AI must reinforce cybersecurity fundamentals, such as zero-trust principles and clear data policies, while addressing AI-specific risks with existing tools.
Human oversight and governance are crucial, as AI systems require boundaries, monitoring, and judgment calls to prevent mistakes and maintain public trust. A proactive approach, utilizing existing tools and strategies, will enable secure and effective AI deployment for government initiatives.
Read full story at StateTerch…
How the Military Uses Multifactor Authentication in the Field
by Erin Brereton
MFA adds a layer of protection to login processes for U.S. armed forces.
Listen (08:45)
Summary
The Department of Defense (DOD) is accelerating its zero-trust strategy, expecting over half of planned measures—including widespread multifactor authentication (MFA)—to be implemented by fiscal year 2027. Released in 2022, the DOD roadmap mandates at least two authentication factors for all users and devices: something known (password), something possessed (token or card), or something inherent (biometrics).
Experts emphasize that passwords alone can’t counter rampant phishing and identity attacks targeting the military. Advances in biometrics, hardware keys like YubiKey and Common Access Cards, and cloud-native solutions such as Okta for U.S. Military and Army Azure Virtual Desktop have reduced user friction while enabling secure remote access—even in disconnected submarine or battlefield environments.
Challenges remain: legacy systems need upgrades, exceptions slow rollouts, and defense contractors must now meet DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requiring MFA. Centralized identity management and single sign-on are emerging as key to balancing ironclad security with operational speed in modern warfare.
Read full story at FedTech…
State Leaders Push Laws to Bring Down Drones
by Chris Teale
While the federal government has ultimate authority over airspace, in the absence of firm action, more states are stepping up to protect residents from illegal drone activity.
Summary
States are enacting laws to allow law enforcement to bring down illegal drones, citing concerns about safety and security. Louisiana led the way with the “We Will Act” Act, granting officers authority to use various methods to mitigate drones.
While the FAA retains control over airspace, states are taking proactive steps to address the growing threat of illegal drone activity.
Read full story at Route Fifty…
In Technology
Google Boss Says Trillion-Dollar AI Investment Boom Has “Elements of Irrationality”
by Faisal Islam &Rachel Clun
In an exclusive BBC interview, Sundar Pichai hailed artificial intelligence as an "extraordinary moment" but said no company would be immune if bubble burst.
Summary
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has warned that no company—including Google—would be immune if the current AI investment bubble bursts. In an exclusive BBC interview, he described the boom as an “extraordinary moment” mixing rational progress with “irrationality,” echoing the dotcom era’s “irrational exuberance.”
While acknowledging risks of market overshooting and potential lost capital, Pichai argued AI’s long-term impact will prove profound, just as the internet did despite early excess. Google’s integrated “full stack”—from custom chips to vast data and models—positions it better to weather turbulence than rivals.
He addressed soaring energy demands (already 1.5% of global electricity), admitted slippage on Alphabet’s climate targets, and stressed the need for rapid new energy infrastructure. On jobs, Pichai said AI will disrupt society but those who master the tools—from teachers to doctors—will thrive. He also confirmed major UK investment, including future model-training in Britain.
Read full story at BBC…
The 5 Strangest but Clever Places To Stash Your Apple AirTag
by Katie Teague & Arielle Burton
The season of travel is here. If you're prone to losing things, AirTags may provide peace of mind.
Summary
Apple AirTags provide peace of mind by helping users track everyday items through Apple’s vast Find My network. These compact Bluetooth trackers work within close range or globally when near any Apple device, making setup simple and operation seamless.
Creative uses include slipping an AirTag into your tent while camping to find your campsite after long hikes, tucking one in a jacket pocket to avoid leaving coats behind, hiding it in checked luggage to monitor bags at airports (TSA-approved), placing one in a laptop bag to prevent costly forgetfulness at cafes, and discreetly attaching it to a bicycle for recovery if stolen or forgotten.
While not ideal for pets or true wilderness tracking, AirTags excel at locating keys, wallets, remotes, gaming devices, and anything valuable you might misplace.
Read full story at Cnet…
The Right Way to Run an Internet Speed Test (And How I Use the Results for Better Wi-Fi)
by Cesar Cadenas
After a decade testing PCs, routers, and home networks, I've seen what really causes slow speeds, and I can help you optimize your connection.
Summary
The article provides a guide on accurately testing and improving home internet speed, emphasizing the importance of getting the service your ISP promised. Using Speedtest by Ookla is recommended, but an accurate test requires preparation, such as using a wired Ethernet connection and closing background apps. Key terms like Mbps, latency (ping), and jitter are explained to help interpret results.
Recommended speeds are roughly 50 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, with latency under 20 ms being excellent for gaming. If speeds fall short, solutions include upgrading hardware (like a mesh Wi-Fi system), updating router firmware, replacing the router every four to five years, and checking for malware. If simple fixes fail, the final step is to contact your ISP.
Read full story at ZDNET…
In Utilities
How Smarter Software Can Help Utilities Build a Stronger Grid
by Resource Innovations
Software solutions like Resource Innovations' Grid360 platform help utilities model threats, forecast stresses, and strengthen grid resilience
Summary
The 21st century is ushering in a “new Age of Electricity,” with global consumption expected to grow significantly due to advances in AI, automation, and transportation electrification. This escalating dependence makes grid resilience essential, but threats from increasingly frequent and powerful extreme weather events and sophisticated cyberattacks are mounting.
Distributed energy resources (DERs) also challenge grid stability. Traditional, fragmented resilience approaches are now inadequate to face these complex problems.
Utilities must shift from reactive strategies to proactive planning, powered by comprehensive grid visibility and data analysis. Software platforms integrate siloed data to perform crucial contingency, sensitivity, and critical load analysis, identifying vulnerabilities and translating risks into tangible recommendations for infrastructure investments and operational changes. This modern approach is vital to maintain a reliable grid in this new electrical era.
Read full story at Canary Media…
Meeting America's Generation Challenge: Why Smarter Permitting Matters
by Scott Corwin, president and CEO of the American Public Power Association
Efficiency, predictability, transparency and meaningful stakeholder input should be the principles guiding permitting reform, writes American Public Power Association CEO Scott Corwin.
Summary
The United States faces a power challenge due to increased demand on the electrical grid. Public power utilities, serving nearly 55 million Americans, are prepared to meet these needs.
However, they are hindered by an outdated federal permitting system. Permitting reform is crucial to streamline the process, maintain environmental oversight, and allow vital energy projects to proceed efficiently.
Read full story at UtilityDive…
The AI Bubble You Haven't Heard About
by Dakin Campbell
There's an artificial intelligence bubble you may not know about, and it could soon come for your electric bill.
Summary
Tech giants are pouring hundreds of billions into data centers to fuel the AI boom, promising widespread benefits and massive profits. Yet the true cost—in water, electricity, pollution, and taxpayer subsidies—has remained opaque until now.
A Business Insider investigation, drawing on thousands of state air permits, utility records, corporate disclosures, and expert analysis, offers the most comprehensive tally to date: 1,240 existing or planned U.S. data centers, nearly four times the number permitted before 2010.
Key findings reveal 40% of these facilities are in high or extremely high water-stress areas, with some permitted to consume more daily water than 49,000 Americans. If all approved centers come online, they could demand 149.6–239.3 terawatt-hours of electricity annually—comparable to the power needs of Ohio or Florida.
Read full story at Busness Insider…