The Harlow Report-GIS
2026 Edition
ISSN 0742-468XSince 1978
On-line Since 2000
GIS News Snippets
For the week of
May 18, 2026
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A "Harlow Report" From May 19, 2025
5 Free Geospatial Resources
by Chris Harlow
Below is a list of 5 free geospatial resources that provide access to high-quality datasets, tools, and platforms for geospatial data science, mapping, and analysis. Each resource includes a brief description and its primary use case.
1. Natural Earth Data
- Description: A public domain dataset offering global vector and raster map data at various scales (1:10m, 1:50m, 1:110m). Includes administrative boundaries, populated places, physical features, and shaded relief.
- Use Case: Ideal for cartography, historical and political maps, and small-scale visualizations.
- Link: naturalearthdata.com
2. OpenStreetMap (OSM)
- Description: A crowdsourced, open-license map of the world providing detailed vector data like roads, buildings, and land use. Data can be downloaded as shapefiles via services like Geofabrik.
- Use Case: Street-level mapping, urban planning, and geospatial analysis requiring detailed local data.
- Link: openstreetmap.org or geofabrik.de
3. USGS EarthExplorer
- Description: A portal by the U.S. Geological Survey offering free access to satellite imagery (Landsat, MODIS, ASTER), aerial photography, elevation data, and historical maps.
- Use Case: Remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and terrain analysis.
- Link: earthexplorer.usgs.gov
4. NASA Earth Observations (NEO)
- Description: Provides free global datasets focused on climate and environmental data, such as aerosols, chlorophyll, and sea surface temperature, available in JPEG, GeoTIFF, and Google Earth formats.
- Use Case: Climate research, environmental studies, and global change analysis.
- Link:neo.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov
5. Google Earth Engine (GEE)
- Description: A cloud-based platform with a comprehensive catalog of satellite imagery (e.g., Landsat, Sentinel-2) and geospatial datasets, standardized for easy integration and analysis.
- Use Case: Large-scale geospatial analysis, machine learning, and time-series studies.
- Link: earthengine.google.com
Now back to 2026
ArcGIS vs Maptive: Which is The Cheaper Option?
by Staff
This piece sets the two platforms against each other on every cost that shows up before, during, and after deployment.
Summary
Comparing ArcGIS Online and Maptive on price requires looking beyond the headline figures. ArcGIS Online's Creator license starts at roughly $700 per user annually — far below Maptive's Individual plan at $1,250 per year. However, that gap narrows quickly once extensions, premium content credits, training, and implementation labor are factored in.
For five users, Maptive's Team plan costs $2,500 per year with all features included. A comparable ArcGIS deployment typically runs $25,000–$45,000 over three years when consulting and add-ons are counted.
Maptive also delivers faster time-to-value — a working map within an hour versus weeks for ArcGIS. For business mapping, sales territory design, and CRM integration, Maptive offers the lower total cost of ownership. ArcGIS justifies its expense only for organizations requiring deep geospatial infrastructure.
Read full story at Eye on Annapolis
Cyber Espionage Group Targets Aviation Firms to Steal Map Data
by Robert Lemos,
The campaign quietly compromises aerospace and drone operators to exfiltrate GIS files, terrain models, and GPS data and gain a clear picture of adversaries' world view.
Summary
A cyber espionage group, HeartlessSoul, is targeting aviation firms and drone operators using phishing and malvertising campaigns to steal geospatial data.
The group, believed to be sophisticated and motivated, aims to collect data such as GPS information and GIS files, which can be used for intelligence collection and defense purposes.
The attacks highlight the growing importance of geospatial data in regional conflicts and the need for organizations to protect their critical assets.
Read full story at Dark Reading
Geographic Information Systems Market Is Reshaping How the World Understands Space, Cities, and Infrastructure
by Mohini
From smart cities and disaster response to transportation and defense, GIS technology is becoming the digital backbone of location-based decision-making.
Summary
The global Geographic Information Systems (GIS) market is entering a high-growth era, projected to expand from US$ 15.42 billion in 2025 to US$ 44.23 billion by 2034 — a CAGR of 12.42%. GIS technology, once a specialized mapping tool, has evolved into a broad intelligence platform supporting smart city development, transportation, agriculture, defense, and environmental planning.
Key growth drivers include rising adoption of spatial data analytics, AI integration, cloud computing, and IoT connectivity. Industries worldwide are leveraging GIS for route optimization, precision farming, infrastructure management, and emergency response.
However, challenges remain. High implementation costs, technical complexity, and data privacy concerns may slow adoption, particularly in developing markets. Despite these hurdles, advances in satellite imaging, machine learning, and user-friendly platforms are making GIS more accessible than ever, positioning it as an indispensable pillar of digital infrastructure globally.
Read full story at Vocal Media
What's New in ArcGIS Drone2Map 2026.1
by Manuel Mora
The newest version of ArcGIS Drone2Map has arrived, bringing a range of powerful features and enhancements designed to elevate your drone mapping workflows. In this blog, we'll spotlight some of the most noteworthy updates.
Summary
ArcGIS Drone2Map's latest updates deliver faster processing, greater accuracy, and expanded flexibility across drone mapping workflows. A new Rapid point cloud density option dramatically reduces processing times — ideal for disaster response, emergency inspections, and active construction management. Performance improvements for Gaussian Splats enhance the fidelity of thin structures and high-frequency textures, while a new challenging image calibration mode improves results in low-contrast and vegetation-heavy environments.
Expanded DJI thermal camera support, cloud-optimized output formats including COG, MRF, and CRF, and a 30%-faster auto link detection for ground control points further streamline large-scale projects. Users can now share projects as Oriented Imagery Layers for immersive 3D inspection workflows.
Read full story at ArcGis Blog
Whose Map Counts in Conservation?
by Rhett Ayers Butler
Participatory mapping is increasingly used in conservation to bring local knowledge, land use, cultural values and community priorities into spatial planning.
Summary
Participatory mapping, a collaborative process that incorporates local knowledge into conservation planning, has grown rapidly over the past decade.
While it offers valuable insights into how people use and value landscapes, the field lacks consistent standards for data collection, interpretation, and protection. The approach's effectiveness hinges on its integration into real decision-making processes, clear governance, and safeguards for the communities involved.
Read full story at Mongabay
Industry News
In Government
Anthropic and Nonprofit Partner to Streamline Benefits Administration With AI
by Kaitlyn Levinson
Code for America is working with the AI company to build and pilot solutions that leverage Anthropic's Claude chatbot to help benefit caseworkers improve service delivery.
Summary
Code for America and Anthropic are partnering to develop AI-powered tools to assist caseworkers in delivering public benefits more efficiently. Their flagship product, the SNAP Policy Navigator, draws on federal regulations, state manuals and official policy directives to help caseworkers quickly answer complex policy questions. Built on Anthropic's Claude chatbot and a model context protocol, the tool delivers plain-language responses with cited sources — while keeping eligibility decisions firmly with the caseworker.
The collaboration comes amid sweeping changes to the federal food assistance program under the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” which has expanded work requirements and shifted administrative costs to states. SNAP participation has fallen by more than 3 million people across 36 states since the law's passage.
Beyond the Navigator, the organizations plan to develop additional Claude-based tools to help benefit workers review eligibility documents and draft communications to recipients — aiming to reduce administrative burdens at a moment when caseworkers face funding uncertainty, workforce shortages and growing caseloads.
Read full story at NewxtGov
How the Government Uses Biometric Authentication Technology
by Elizabeth Neus
From fingerprints to facial recognition, agencies turn to a person's physical characteristics to verify identity.
Summary
Biometrics technology first gained traction in the late 1800s when police began using fingerprints to identify suspects. Government use has since expanded to ID verification for employees, travelers, and citizens, incorporating advanced methods like facial recognition, iris scans, and behavioral traits.
Agencies such as DHS and the FBI rely heavily on biometrics for border security, airport screening, and criminal databases. While it offers a secure alternative to passwords—which experts say are no longer adequate—challenges remain in accuracy, especially for women and people of color, as well as privacy and civil liberties.
Data breaches pose unique risks since biometric traits cannot be changed. Nevertheless, biometrics remain “the wave of the future” for identification and security.
Read full story at FedTech
Twin Brothers Wipe 96 Gov't Databases Minutes After Being Fired
by Nate Anderson
A case study in why credentials are revoked before firings.
Summary
Muneeb and Sohaib Akhter, twin brothers with a history of cybercrime, were fired from their jobs at a company providing services to the US government.
After their termination, Muneeb deleted 96 government databases and downloaded sensitive information, while Sohaib provided guidance and suggestions. The brothers were eventually arrested, with Muneeb pleading guilty and Sohaib found guilty of multiple charges, including computer fraud and firearm possession.
Read full story at arsTechnica
In Technology
After Banning Foreign Routers, FCC Says Existing Ones Can Get Updates Until 2029
by Jon Brodkin
FCC extends waiver allowing routers and drones to get patches for two more years.
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission is easing its restrictive router rules, extending a waiver that allows foreign-made routers and drones to receive software and firmware updates until at least January 1, 2029 — pushed back from the previous deadline of March 1, 2027. The agency also expanded the waiver to cover a broader range of software updates and indicated the waiver may eventually become permanent.
The rules, announced in March without public comment, ban new foreign-made consumer routers on national security grounds. Existing approved devices may still be imported and sold, but face restrictions on software updates. Some manufacturers — including Netgear and Amazon's Eero — have received hardware exemptions, while others await clearance.
Chinese-linked companies face the steepest hurdles. TP-Link, founded in China but now U.S.-based, is still seeking an exemption after meeting with FCC officials in April, while DJI has sued the commission over the ban.
Read full story at arsTechnica
Chrome's AI Features Can Take Up to 4GB of Space on Your Computer
by Viktor Eriksson
But users can disable the feature and reclaim the storage space.
Summary
Google Chrome can download a local AI model, weights.bin, for on-device AI features like writing assistance and fraud protection.
This model, used by the Gemini Nano AI, takes up to 4GB of storage space but can be disabled in Chromes' settings to free up space.
Users can check whether the file is present by looking for the OptGuideOnDeviceModel folder in Chrome's system files.
Read full story at Computerworld
How to Stop Your MacBook Sleeping When the Lid Is Closed
by Karen Haslam
Learn how to use a MacBook in clamshell mode, stop sleep with the lid closed, keep downloads running, and avoid common power and display issues.
Summary
The article describes how to keep a MacBook from sleeping when the lid is closed. It suggests using third-party apps like Amphetamine or using Terminal commands to disable sleep mode.
The article also provides instructions on how to use the pmset command to schedule the Mac to wake up at a specific time.
Read full story at MacWorld
In Utilities
Environment & Energy Electricity Grid Maps Could Speed Addition of Renewable Energy Sources in PA.
by Peter Hall
Requiring electricity companies to publish maps of their systems could speed the addition of sustainable energy sources to the grid, state lawmakers heard Tuesday.
Summary
Pennsylvania lawmakers discussed a bill requiring electric companies to publish maps of their systems, aiming to expedite the integration of renewable energy sources.
The bill, House Bill 2429, would mandate that these maps, updated every two months, show feeder lines, nodes, and available capacity for new loads.$P While proponents argue this would streamline the process for renewable energy developers and reduce costs for consumers, industry representatives raised concerns about security risks and potential cost increases for ratepayers.
Read full story at WESA FM
Should Data Centers Pay for Grid Upgrades? Oregon Regulators Think So
by Sean Wolfe
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission recently approved several elements of Portland General Electric's proposals for charging customers based on their contribution to growth — which is meant to ensure that data centers will pay for new infrastructure that supports their growth.
Summary
Oregon's Public Utilities Commission approved key elements of Portland General Electric's proposal to charge data centers based on their contribution to grid growth — part of a broader national push to ensure large-load customers fund the infrastructure their expansion demands. The framework establishes a dedicated customer class for data centers, a peak growth modifier for cost allocation, exit fees to guard against stranded assets and provisions for special clean energy contracts.
The move mirrors actions elsewhere. Ohio's utility regulator approved a similar tariff for American Electric Power last summer, requiring large data center customers to pay for at least 85% of their subscribed energy use. Arizona Public Service has introduced “load commitment agreements” with comparable requirements.
Read full story at FactorThis
US Annual Electricity Consumption to Grow 55% by 2050: NEMA
by Robert Walton
The group representing electrical equipment manufacturers expects data center energy consumption to grow 300% over the next 10 years.
Summary
U.S. electricity consumption will surge more than 55% by 2050, with the sharpest growth occurring this decade, according to a new forecast from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association — an update to its April 2025 report that had projected 50% growth. Net consumption is expected to climb from 3,936 TWh in 2024 to 6,130 TWh in 2050.
Data centers are the primary driver, projected to account for 38% of net electricity consumption through 2037, fueled by hyperscaler investment and AI's rising energy demands. Electric transportation is expected to deliver a 2,000% increase in power use through midcentury.
NEMA says grid-enhancing technologies, demand response and behind-the-meter resources will be essential to meeting growing demand. Renewables, storage, wind and solar are each forecast to grow 300%, with renewables exceeding 50% of generation capacity across much of the country by 2050.
Read full story at UtilityDdive
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