The Harlow Report-GIS
2026 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
March 9, 2026
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A "Harlow Report" FromMarch 10, 2026
Crafting the Perfect Fit: Map Design Workflows for Publications
by Sarah Bell, ArcGIS Blog
Four easy steps for making maps in Adobe Illustrator with Esri's ArcGIS Pro-to-Maps for Adobe workflow, focusing on national park map examples
In this blog post, Sarah Bell outlines a detailed workflow for creating maps tailored for articles, posters, and brochures, emphasizing the integration of ArcGIS Pro and Adobe Illustrator via ArcGIS Maps for Adobe.
The workflow addresses a common issue in publications: poorly fitted maps that compromise legibility and resolution. To counter this, the process ensures maps align with publication grid specifications for optimal results. It involves four key steps:
Set Up ArcGIS Pro Layouts
Place Maps in Layouts
Export as AIX Files
Open in Adobe Illustrator
The workflow, demonstrated with a magazine layout featuring the national park maps, ensures high-end, legible maps that enhance storytelling in print media. ArcGIS Maps for Adobe bridges GIS and graphic design, maintaining fidelity to specifications and offering flexibility for further customization.
Read full story at Esri…
Now back to 2026
27 Geography Facts Everyone Keeps Getting Wrong
by Bob Cannon
How many of these geography mistakes have you made?
Summary
The article describes 30 common geography facts that people often get wrong.
For example, Alaska has the longest coastline in the US, not Florida. Additionally, the South Pole is not just one location but four different ones, including the Geographic South Pole and the Geomagnetic South Pole.
Read full story at Reader's …
Apple Maps Has a Hidden Street View Mode Most People Miss
by Rob LeFebvre
Zoom in on neighborhoods, landmarks, and storefronts in full 360 degrees
Summary
Apple Maps' Look Around feature, introduced with iOS 13, provides a high-definition, 360-degree street-level view comparable to Google Street View. Users can access this immersive experience by browsing a supported location until a binoculars icon appears or by searching for a specific destination. Once activated, the interface allows for seamless navigation through swiping, with an expand icon available to toggle between a split-screen map and a full-screen perspective.
Although currently limited to select global cities, Look Around enables virtual exploration of iconic landmarks like Honolulu’s Diamond Head or the Las Vegas Strip. By tapping “Done,” users easily return to the standard map interface. As Apple expands its imagery, this tool serves as a vital bridge between digital navigation and real-world visual context.
Read full story at Lifewire…
Map-Powered Automated Driving Is Winning the Industry Over
by Matthew Beedham
When maps can provide trusted and verified ground truth across entire continents, why wouldn't you use one as part of your automated driving software stack?
Summary
While some industry players argue that sensors alone can deliver safe automated driving, TomTom maintains that high-quality, lane-level maps are an essential foundation for ADAS and autonomous vehicles.
Unlike cameras or LiDAR, maps remain unaffected by adverse weather, providing a reliable “ground truth” and contextual awareness that sensors cannot match. This perspective is reinforced by CARIAD—Volkswagen Group’s software arm—which recently integrated TomTom’s Orbis Maps into its automated driving stack.
The path forward is a hybrid approach where real-time sensor perception is fused with validated map data. Maps allow vehicles to anticipate road geometry, speed changes, and hazards beyond the sensors’ range, transforming reactive robotic movements into human-like anticipation.
Ultimately, maps provide the necessary structure to ensure AI systems operate predictably, safely, and transparently across entire continents.
Read full story at TomTom…
South Korea to Finally Get Fully Functioning Google Maps
by Reuters
The move will appease Washington that has urged security-conscious Seoul to tackle what it says is discrimination against US tech companies
Summary
South Korea will allow Google to export high-precision map data, ending a two-decade restriction.
This decision, which includes security conditions like blurring sensitive facilities, will benefit Google Maps but may harm local map service providers Naver and Kakao. The move aims to address US concerns about discrimination against American tech companies.
Read full story at South China Morning Post …
The Geolocation Boom of 2026: GPS Technology Enters a New Phase
by Citybiz Staff
By 2026, geolocation technology is no longer confined to mapping tools or simple navigation apps.
Summary
By 2026, geolocation technology has evolved from simple navigation into a foundational digital infrastructure. The expansion of satellite constellations and the integration of multiple navigation systems have significantly enhanced signal resilience in challenging environments.
Accuracy has progressed from meters to centimeters, unlocking new industrial applications in precision agriculture, construction, and automated logistics. This shift allows machines to navigate complex landscapes with minimal error, making high-precision spatial data a requirement for modern efficiency.
Urban centers are also becoming “location-aware,” utilizing real-time GPS data to optimize traffic and emergency response. As these technologies become deeply embedded in global commerce and autonomous mobility, the demand for professionals skilled in geospatial analysis is surging. This geolocation boom represents a fundamental transformation in how digital systems interact with and manage the physical world.
Read full story at Citybiz…
Industry News
In Government
2026 diplomacy: own the data layer before the AI layer
by Joseph A. Farsakh
As global diplomacy enters 2026, infrastructure is destiny.
Summary
While artificial intelligence dominates headlines, the U.S. State Department is shifting its focus toward a more critical priority: data infrastructure. Recognizing that AI capability is downstream from data quality, the department released its Enterprise Data Strategy to address the challenges of disorganized and inaccessible information. Effective diplomacy in 2026 will not depend on the “shiniest” models, but on building resilient systems that make information searchable, interoperable, and intelligible in real time. Without this foundation, even advanced analytic tools risk introducing friction rather than insight.
The department is currently rebuilding its digital backbone through Data.State, a secure platform designed to enhance decision-making. By doubling its technical workforce and launching global data programs, the government is laying the essential groundwork for scalable innovation. Ultimately, the success of modern statecraft depends on the integrity and usability of underlying data systems—proving that in the era of automated diplomacy, infrastructure is destiny.
Read full story at GovNex…
3 Ways to Choose Valuable Open Data
by Jason Shueh
Mark Headd, Philadelphia's former chief data officer, and others offer practical steps any government can use to start or improve open data programs.
Summary
Government officials continue to explore the transition from transparency to active value creation through open data. At the 2014 Code for America Summit, experts emphasized practical strategies for jurisdictions facing budget constraints and standardization challenges.
The first step involves converting existing public documents—such as PDFs or meeting minutes—into machine-readable formats to bypass privacy concerns and internal approvals.
Furthermore, officials should identify “desire lines” by using web analytics to see which information citizens are already struggling to access. By analyzing frequent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, agencies can pinpoint high-demand datasets. Proactively publishing these resources online can reduce manual workloads by up to 50 percent, transforming open data into a tool for significant operational efficiency and cost recovery.
Read full story at GovTech…
The NIST OSCAL Framework for State and Local Governments
by Jessica Balen
Replace static security documents with machine-readable data to automate audits, reduce risk and modernize compliance.
The Open Security Controls Assessment Language (OSCAL), developed by NIST, offers a standardized, machine-readable approach to security documentation for state and local governments.
OSCAL replaces static documents with structured data, enabling automation, reducing manual work, and improving audit readiness.
By using OSCAL, agencies can streamline compliance processes, enhance risk visibility, and prepare for emerging priorities like AI.
Read full story at TechState…
In Technology
Apple Reveals Its New 5K Mini-LED Studio Display XDR
by Steve Dent
The 120Hz display can output 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness.
Summary
Apple has expanded its high-end monitor lineup with the launch of the Studio Display XDR and a refreshed standard Studio Display. Positioned as a professional-grade replacement for the discontinued Pro Display XDR, the new XDR model features a 27-inch 5K mini-LED screen boasting 2,000 nits of peak HDR brightness and a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. It also introduces Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, providing up to 140W of charging power. Apple describes the unit as the “world’s best pro display” for specialized tasks like HDR video editing.
The standard Studio Display has also been modernized with Thunderbolt 5 support and an improved 12MP Center Stage camera. While it maintains 600 nits of brightness, it now offers better integration with high-speed accessories and daisy-chained setups. The Studio Display XDR starts at $3,299, while the standard model begins at $1,599, joining a week of major hardware reveals including new M5-powered MacBooks and the iPad Air M4.
Read full story at Engadget…
Jack Dorsey Shrinks Block to 'Intelligence?Native’ Model, Cutting 4,000 Jobs
by Gyana Swain
The company's 50% headcount reduction adds to a wave of AI?cited cuts across tech, even among profitable firms, as forecasts warn of permanent, automation?driven losses deeper than the Great Recession.
Summary
Block, led by Jack Dorsey, is cutting over 4,000 jobs, nearly half its workforce, due to AI tools enabling a leaner organization.
This move, while the company remains profitable, reflects a broader trend of AI-driven job cuts across the tech industry, even among successful firms.
While some predict widespread adoption of AI-driven restructuring within a year, others caution that regulatory and institutional factors may slow this transition.
Read full story at Computerworld…
LLMs Can Unmask Pseudonymous Users at Scale With Surprising Accuracy
by Dan Goodin
Pseudonymity has never been perfect for preserving privacy. Soon it may be pointless.
Summary
A recent research paper reveals that AI agents are rapidly outstripping traditional methods for deanonymizing social media users, posing a significant threat to online pseudonymity. Unlike older techniques that required structured data, large language models (LLMs) can now analyze free text and cross-platform behaviors to identify individuals with alarming accuracy. In specific experiments, researchers achieved a recall rate as high as 68 percent and a precision rate of 90 percent when correlating accounts across different platforms.
The study warns that these capabilities invalidate the long-held assumption that pseudonymity provides adequate protection. As AI systems evolve, the potential for doxxing, state-level surveillance, and predatory marketing profiles grows. Researchers urge platform providers to implement stricter data scraping protections and call for enhanced guardrails within LLMs to prevent misuse.
Read full story at arsTechnica…
In Utilities
Cape Cod Business Leader Wants to Bury Electrical Grid, Demands State Support After Blizzard
by Lance Reynolds
A Cape Cod business leader says it's no surprise that the Blizzard of 2026 left the region without power for days. He wants to bury parts of the electric grid.
Summary
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Neidzwiecki is calling for parts of the electrical grid to be buried underground after the Blizzard of 2026 left the region without power for days. He blames the outages on predictable tree damage and is advocating for a regional grid resilience task force and a phased undergrounding strategy for priority areas. While some residents support the idea, others argue it is not feasible due to the high cost and the region's vulnerability to hurricanes and nor'easters.
Read full story at Boston Herald…
Google Is Building a Bevy of Renewable Energy in Minnesota
by Jordan Blun
his includes the world's largest battery system providing power for a whopping 100 hours
Summary
Google is partnering with Xcel Energy to build a renewable energy project in Minnesota, including the world's largest battery system.
The project will utilize Form Energy's iron-air battery technology, capable of providing power for up to 100 hours, to address the reliability concerns of renewable energy sources.
This partnership marks a significant milestone for the long-duration battery industry, potentially paving the way for widespread adoption.
Read full story at Fortune Magazine…
Push Back Against Private Equity–Backed Data Centers
by Matt Parr
A new analysis from Truthout examines how grassroots organizers in Wisconsin successfully pushed back against a proposed data center backed by private equity, offering a model for communities nationwide facing similar projects.
Summary
A recent Truthout analysis highlights how grassroots organizers in DeForest, Wisconsin, successfully blocked a 1,600-acre data center proposed by QTS, a Blackstone-owned company. Residents organized across political lines to oppose the project, citing concerns over water consumption, noise pollution, and rising utility costs. This local victory serves as a blueprint for communities nationwide facing a private equity-driven data center boom. Wall Street firms have invested nearly $200 billion into digital infrastructure since 2022, often acquiring power plants and utilities to fuel AI expansion.
Critics warn that these investments frequently shift financial burdens onto ordinary ratepayers through increased electricity bills. By rejecting necessary annexations, local action can effectively stall developments backed by powerful financial interests. This growing national movement emphasizes that the environmental and social costs—ranging from land use to energy affordability—outweigh the speculative benefits of large-scale data hubs.
Read full story at Private Equity Stakeholder Project…
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