The Harlow Report-GIS
2025 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
June 23, 2025
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A “Harlow Report” From June 24, 2024
Navigating the Future of Location-Aware App Development
by Julie Bailey
Location-aware application development is facing a significant transformation. Discover how to navigate its market trends and challenges here.
A 2022 report revealed the global positioning system (GPS) market revenue recorded $94.25 billion. This figure is projected to increase with a 16.1 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2030.
Location-based services lead the market share of this revenue.
Location-based services involve location–aware applications. As the segment continues to dominate the GPS market, it's good news for developers and new entrants seeking to deploy location-aware apps.
However, location-aware app development is facing significant changes. Navigating the trends and challenges can be challenging, particularly for new entrants.
This guide will help you understand how location-aware applications work.
Read full story at NetNewsLedger…
Now back to 2025
Powering the Future: How Modern GIS Systems Are Transforming Australia's Energy and Utility Sector
by Rob Haggett, Amlan Roy & Shirish Patil
Today, Energy Queensland powers a vast area of north-eastern Australia, four times larger than California, with a mix of thermal, hydro, wind, and solar energy, including power from 37 large solar farms.
Over a third of its solar power comes from customer-owned panels, a number expected to hit 50 percent soon. Facing the challenge of blending this diverse supply into the network and managing demand swings, and Energy Queensland relies on Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to map its infrastructure in 3D, ensuring efficient, reliable service across this extensive region.
The role of GIS in supporting the clean energy transition cannot be overstated. From locating potential sites for wind and solar farms to optimising the distribution network for efficiency and resilience, GIS is a critical tool in the energy sector's arsenal. It enables energy companies to make informed decisions, respond to regulatory pressures, and ultimately, contribute to a sustainable and resilient energy future for Australia and beyond.
The modernization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is particularly important for Australian utility companies who need to be able to navigate Australia's extensive geography —including arid, temperate and tropical zones, each with their unique opportunities and constraints around energy generation, transmission, distribution and storage. GIS helps pinpoint the best spots for new distribution or transmission lines, as well as renewable energy projects, like solar and wind farms, making sure there are optimally located to meet Australia's energy evolving demand, be resilient to climate conditions and address social license considerations.
Read full story at Wipro…
Announcing the Next Generation of ArcGIS Survey123
by Chris LeSueur, James Tedrick & Cory Marietta
This update promises a wealth of new features, an enhanced user experience, and cutting-edge technology, all aimed at making your data collection processes more efficient and effective than ever before.
The new ArcGIS Survey123 is being built using the latest ArcGIS Maps SDK for .NET. This modern framework allows us to deliver improved mapping capabilities, better performance, and enhanced stability across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and Windows. The transition to this new technology ensures that the app will be compatible with the latest devices and operating systems, providing a seamless experience for all users.
One of the key goals of the new ArcGIS Survey123 is to provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience. We have revamped the first-time user experience to make it easier for new users to get started with a streamlined onboarding process. The new design incorporates Esri's Calcite Design System to bring a clean and contemporary look and feel to the app. Additionally, we have focused on better supporting accessibility tools such as light and dark display modes, screen readers and keyboard navigation, ensuring that the app is usable by a wider audience.
Read full story at Esri…
Family Safety App Life360 Launches Location-Based Ad Targeting
by James Hercher
Life360, a popular family safety and tracking app, is getting deeper into the advertising and analytics platform business.
[Recently], it announced its first location-based ad targeting solution, called Place Ads, and a foot-traffic analytics product named Uplift that measures store visitation.
The company has a portfolio of products built around tracking.
It' widely used by parents to monitor their children's whereabouts and is also known for its emergency service, which operates not unlike a medical alert button. The app can be set to alert family if it detects a potential fall or crash, and offers a “Watch me Fly” service, which sends a notification once a flight lands. Not to mention that Life360 owns tracking device company Tile, which it acquired in 2021.
The common theme here is persistent location tracking.
“You can't use Life360 without always-on location sharing,” Brian McDevitt, Life360's VP of ads, told AdExchanger.
Read full story at adexchanger…
How Technology Is Transforming Real Estate Valuation In California
by Syed Qasim
The real estate industry in California is experiencing a profound transformation as a result of integrating advanced technologies that are redefining property valuation methodologies.
The emergence of big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovative software solutions has enabled industry leaders, such as CREtelligent, to pioneer advancements that provide accurate and timely real estate valuation services.
The Role of Big Data in Property Valuation
Big data has fundamentally redefined the landscape of real estate valuation, transitioning it into a more precise and strategic undertaking. Real estate professionals now have unprecedented access to extensive datasets, facilitating detailed analyses of historical sales, intricate market trends, and comprehensive neighborhood statistics. This wealth of information allows for precise and accurate evaluations of a property's true worth. Firms like CREtelligent leverage the power of big data to enhance their valuation services significantly. By employing advanced analytics and sophisticated algorithms, they generate insights that were previously difficult to obtain, empowering stakeholders with improved decision-making capabilities.
The Importance of Geographic Information Systems
Geographic Information Systems have emerged as vital tools in property evaluation. GIS technology allows appraisers to visualize critical location-specific data, including zoning regulations, flood zones, and demographic information. By integrating GIS into their real estate valuation services, companies like CREtelligent can provide contextual analyses that aid clients in making informed decisions.
Read full story at INSC…
Why Your GIS Skills Are More Relevant Than Ever
by Wanjohi Kibui
The global GIS market is predicted to grow by over 13% through 2025 and beyond.
GIS is no longer just a tool, it's a language
Geographic information systems (GIS) have historically been seen as technical support, a nice-to-have capability to complement the 'real' business of decision-making. But that perception is now outdated. Today, GIS has evolved from a support function into a strategic enabler. From climate modeling and natural disaster response to urban planning and smart agriculture, spatial intelligence is at the heart of real-world decisions.
With a projected CAGR of over 13% through 2025 and beyond, the global GIS market is not just expanding; it's evolving into a foundational layer of modern decision-making. This growth reflects a deeper trend: spatial intelligence is becoming central to the daily operations of organizations across nearly every sector. GIS is no longer just a tool, it's a language — and those who speak it are increasingly
Read full story at GIM…
Industry News
In Government
NSGIC Applauds FGDC's Vision for Improving our Nation's Decision-Support Systems
by NSGIC
he National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) is proud to announce its full support for “Vision 2035: Advancing Our National Spatial Data Infrastructure.”
The plan, developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) outlines a comprehensive roadmap to improve the nation's geospatial capabilities, promoting timely, dependable, and actionable insights for decision-making.
The NSDI Strategic Plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration across federal, tribal, state, and local governments, private sector, academia, and non-profit organizations. By fostering these partnerships, the plan aims to create an interconnected geospatial ecosystem that supports all facets of decision-making, including national security, disaster response, natural resource development, food security, and healthcare planning.
Key Goals and Objectives: The strategic plan is structured around three primary goals:
- Governance: Engaging stakeholders in decision-making to ensure effective oversight, policy refinement, and resource allocation for the NSDI.
- Data and Technology: Modernizing infrastructure and leveraging advanced technologies to improve data quality, accessibility, and interoperability.
- People: Building a skilled and inclusive geospatial workforce to drive innovation and address complex challenges.
Read full story at NSGIC…
Pentagon Heightens Scrutiny on IT, Management Consulting Contracts
by Ross Wilkers
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's newest directive for the department zeroes in on providers of “system IT integration, implementation, or advisory services.”
The Defense Department is under a new edict to lower the number of IT consulting and management services contracts as part of a larger push to take on more of that work in-house.
In a memo sent Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed DOD leaders and components not to execute new contracts or task orders for IT consulting or management services without a written justification first.
That justification must lay out why the work cannot be performed by DOD personnel or be “acquired from the direct service provider, whereby the prime contractor is not an integrator or consultant.”
DOD components also must get approval from the deputy defense secretary before carrying out these contracts. The components must provide a cost-benefit analysis, evidence that alternatives were evaluated, and the justification for going outside both DOD and direct service providers.
Read full story at NextGov/FCW…
Public Transit Agencies Continue to Lag in Cybersecurity Prep
by Skip Descant
Collectively, U.S. transportation services have cyber preparedness work to do, according to a recent study. Individually, they are hardening their postures; an Illinois state pilot offers locals consulting and training.
Transit agencies continue to fall behind in cybersecurity training, staffing and policy development according to a new report, placing these organizations at increasing risk as threats rise and take on more sophisticated forms.
“The most interesting thing, after doing this work for the last four years, especially in the smaller and more midsize agencies, is that they don't have the basic written policies and procedures that you would expect,” Scott Belcher, a research associate with the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University in California, said.
Read full story at GovTech…
In Technology
Another One for the Graveyard: Google to Kill Instant Apps in December
by Ryan Whitwam
It was a good idea that arrived too late to matter.
Apps used to be the measure of a mobile 's worth, with Apple and Google dueling over who could list the most items in their respective stores. Today, the numbers don't matter as much—there are enough apps, and Google's attempt to replace parts of the web with apps is going away. Instant Apps, a feature that debuted in 2017, will reportedly be scrapped in December 2025. In its place, you'll just have to use the Internet.
Developer Leon Omelan spotted this news buried in the latest Canary release of Android Studio (confirmed by Android Authority). The development client includes a warning that Instant Apps is headed for the Google graveyard. …
Instant Apps wasn't a bad idea—it was just too late. Early in the mobile era, browsers and websites were sluggish on phones, making apps a much better option. Installing them for every site that offered them could be a pain, though. Google's Instant Apps tried to smooth over the experience by delivering an app live without installation. When developers implemented the feature, clicking a link to their websites could instead open the Android app in a similar amount of time as loading a webpage. Google later expanded the feature to games.
Read full story at arsTechnica…
How Salesforce Is Using Agentic AI to Turn Clicks Into Customers
by Salesforce
Agentforce drives 40% faster lead qualification and 100,000+ AI-powered conversations on Salesforce.com — turning static site traffic into real business outcomes
Enterprise websites should welcome customers in, but too often they push customers away. Visitors bounce between buried menus, endless tabs, and thousands of articles — only to leave without the answers they came for.
Thatqas where Agentforce, the agentic layer of Salesforce's digital labor platform, comes in. Acting as real-time digital concierges on Salesforce.com, autonomous AI agents engage visitors, answer questions, and route qualified leads — all without human intervention.
Why it matters: B2B websites have fallen behind rising digital expectations. While 84% of B2B buyers say an easy online experience is essential, 85% still end up frustrated by clunky, outdated sites. Agentforce changes that — augmenting the legacy static page experience with smart, real-time engagement that converts interest into a pipeline.
Read full story at Salesforce…
Why Mac Power Users Should Rush to Upgrade to macOS 26 Tahoe This Fall
by Alex Blake
If you'e a power user, you might be wondering what Apple's macOS Tahoe update has for you. The answer is a lot.
When Apple announced macOS 26 Tahoe at WWDC this week, much of the attention rightly went to its Liquid Glass user interface redesign. It's a massive change to the look and feel of the Mac operating system, and it's the first time in years that anything this significant has happened to the visual style of macOS.
But macOS Tahoe isn't just a pretty face — it's packed with beefy features aimed squarely at power users. From incredibly capable new shortcuts to intelligent suggestions in the Reminders app, there's a lot for demanding pros to sink their teeth into. Here are five of the best power user features in macOS Tahoe, so you know exactly where to find them once it arrives on your Mac.
Read full story at Macworld…
In Utilities
Amazon, Google Exploring All Options for Meeting Growing Power Needs
by Diana DiGangi
“I think we have to be careful that we don't over-generalize the solution to the growth question,” said Will Conkling, Google's head of data center energy, Americas.
Key Points
- Amazon and Google are trying to remain nimble as their electricity demands increase steeply during a period of political uncertainty and technological evolution for the energy sector, division heads for the hyperscalers said during a Wednesday panel at the American Council on Renewable Energy's Finance Forum.
- As Google attempts to meet a goal of operating on 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, the company is making investments in emerging generation sources like geothermal and small modular nuclear reactors in an attempt to accelerate them, said Will Conkling, Google's head of data center energy, Americas. “But even at Google, we can't wish things to be true, right? We have to deal with the reality of technology and commercialization curves.”
- “It's going to take a mix of everything to really reach the capacity that we need as a nation,”said Jessica Johnson, director of offtake at CleanCapital. “Not just for data centers, but for the entire demand.”
Read full story at UtilityDive…
EPA Proposes Repeal of Biden-Harris EPA Regulations for Power Plants, Which, If Finalized, Would Save Americans More than a Billion Dollars a Year
by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Breaking down barriers to affordable, dependable energy for American families
Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), … proposed two significant actions to repeal regulations from the Biden and Obama administrations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tightening mercury and air toxics standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. These proposals seek to ensure affordable and reliable energy, promote American energy dominance, and reduce regulatory burdens on the power sector.
The first proposal targets the repeal of greenhouse gas emissions standards under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act, including the 2015 Clean Power Plan (struck down by the Supreme Court in 2022) and the 2024 rule for new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. Critics argue these regulations were designed to phase out coal, oil, and gas power plants, increasing energy costs and threatening grid reliability.
The second proposal involves repealing amendments to the 2024 Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS), reverting to the 2012 standards, which have already reduced mercury emissions by 90% and other hazardous pollutants significantly. The 2024 amendments imposed stricter standards, creating uncertainty for coal plants in several states and adding $1.2 billion in costs over a decade. The repeal aims to alleviate these burdens while maintaining environmental protections.
These actions are framed as supporting affordable energy, national security, and industries like manufacturing and AI, while critics of the prior regulations argue they harmed American families by raising costs and limiting energy access.
Read full story at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency…
How Sensors, Software, and Other Tech Could Help Ohio’s Aging Power Grid
by kathiann Kowalski
A new state law will require utilities and regulators to explore advanced transmission technologies before pursuing conventional grid expansion projects.
Summary
Ohio's electric grid faces challenges from rising maintenance costs, growing demand from data centers, and climate-driven severe weather causing frequent outages. House Bill 15 … aims to enhance grid safety, reliability, efficiency, and capacity through advanced software and hardware solutions. The bill emphasizes upgrading existing infrastructure to meet these demands while potentially integrating more renewable energy and battery storage, which often face delays due to transmission bottlenecks.
Clean energy advocates, including Chris Tavenor of the Ohio Environmental Council, praise the bill for promoting technologies like dynamic line rating sensors, which allow power lines to carry more electricity under favorable conditions, and digital controllers that adjust power flow remotely. Topology optimization software can reroute electricity around congested grid areas, functioning like a navigation app.
Additionally, the Ohio Power Siting Board requires companies to evaluate technology solutions before approving new transmission projects, with detailed reports and expert testimony justifying any preference for conventional approaches. These measures aim to modernize Ohio's grid, enhance transparency, and balance cost, reliability, and environmental goals.
Read full story at Canary Media…