I will continue deadnaming the gulf with the name assigned at birth. It’s just going through a phase.
It probably had names before but what did the Mayans call it?
Apparently…
The Maya referred to the Gulf as Chactemal, meaning “the red place,” likely referencing the reddish hues of the water at sunset or its fertile coastlines. Indigenous names were often descriptive, reflecting geographical features or spiritual beliefs tied to the environment. Unfortunately, much of this indigenous nomenclature was lost or overwritten during European colonization.
Link. I’m sure there are better ones. Hard to find good sources.
Where are you located? I’m still seeing the correct name and I’m in the USA

Not sure if memeing or serious
When will Lemmy users stop talking about politics. It’s getting old fast
It’s even weirder because America doesn’t mean just the United States
Question for all non-US natives. When somebody tells you they are from America do you think the continent or the USA?
Saddly the US because those fuckers are just so loud and never shut the fuck up.
And that’s the point of my question, and this change. Trump feels like he won, because he took something away from Mexico.
Yes, agreed. He seems to regard life as a zero-sum game, in which he can’t win unless someone else loses, so he doesn’t understand the concept of win-win. It’s a kind of cognitive bias which is a serious weakness in someone who apparently imagines himself to be a master of ‘the art of the deal’.
Everyone knows what you mean if you say you’re American
Hey since America is the center of the earth, we should change it to the Gulf of Central America!
Mexico’s full name is ”The United States of Mexico", I think they should rename their map’s version to Gulf of The United States just to add to the confusion and make the point these things, like all facts, are useless when people suffer no consequences from making them up.
Really, we could just call it the Gulf of the Americas. That would be perfectly correct in every way.
…but it’s not in any way contiguous with south america; that would be the caribbean sea…
Hmmm, good point. The Caribbean Sea will now be known as the Sea of the Americas, lol. Idk, I was trying to unite everyone.
UnGoogled everything is an improvement. Hard to do tho with employers.
I wish I could degoogle my android phone. Sadly, it would mean many of the apps I use would stop working…
As far as I understand, only F-droid apps would work on e.g. GrapheneOS - is this wrong? I believe there would be issues with
- Local chatting app
- Local map app (As good as OrganicMaps is, it seems to have limited support in route finding)
- Local banking app
- Local investing app
- Apps for university affairs
- Zoom
I feel so sad that I am locked to the platform…
You can get by for most apps with MicroG which is a cut down implementation of play services but some apps will absolutely refuse to run on a non-factory Android image.
Last time I was on a custom ROM I got most things to work to some extent but some jush didn’t work e.g. NFC payments via Google Pay.
IIRC there’s legislation being discussed in the EU that could compel Google to offer hardware signatures for custom ROMs in future.
As already commented, the vast majority of apps are fine with Graphene and its optional sandboxed Play Services. Mainly some banking apps can be tricky, but otherwise you’re good. You can also use alternatives like Aurora Store rather than Google directly to get your existing apps which aren’t on F-Droid; the only real exception there is paid ones.
I got a Pixel and made the switch over about a year ago, and it has been pretty smooth sailing. I also really do appreciate having full control over which permissions to allow each app. I know some people do prefer to run Google’s stock camera app or keyboard, but it’s easy enough to not give those network access to phone home.
You can install any app on GOS. You can use sandboxed google play to use the gplay store as normal, or Aurora Store if you just want gplay apps but not services.
F-droid works on any Android phone, doesnt need to be GrapheneOS. I have installed in on regular installs plenty of times.
i know its not as easy / inconvenient, but is there any way to use the companies website instead of the app? For example, i usually log into my banks website to check things or to make a transfer between accounts. Yes you cant scan a check or make desposits, but i also not use a lot of companies App’s in the first place. I just dont understand why everyone needs apps - do you really need an app for your ISP?
Yeah, I meant that most apps are not available from F-droid.
Local messaging app does not support web version. Silly/outrageous, I know; guess they want iron grip on the data. What can I do though, when everyone uses it.
You do not use banking through mobile at all? Seems that would be inconvenient at times.
How do people feel about e/OS? I just started playing around with it on an old phone and it seems to work with most apps, including banking and Google apps (their store has an optional Google login).
GrapheneOS has the option to run sandboxed google play services which you can then download any google play store app. This allows for much greater security as the apps cannot see the other apps you download. Also, you could use Aurora Store which allows play store app downloads without a google account.
There are issues that can pop up and is something you’d need to look into on app by app basis. Lately, it seems they have most banking apps working though.
I feel like my local bank etc. is relatively shitty in terms of software, so I am expecting it to not work anywhere other than android & iOS. Local map apps and local messaging app is the bigger issue for me, though.
Yea it can be tricky. If you have the time to test it out its worth the privacy upgrade.
Just be sure you have an accurate image of your default OS, for your carrier if applicable, so you can revert.
You should check out Sapio maybe someone has already checked if your banking app works!
For most of those things you could probably use the browser on a degoogled phone? I can’t speak to your specific banking or university apps.
You might want to set up a separate work profile to sandbox that browser usage and/or dodgy apps (see Shelter if you can’t do this through the Android settings).
Same as almost everyone, I need some apps that just won’t work, even with sandbox GSM and Play (ie: banking apps, ev charging, my kids’ school reporting app), so I just have a sub-200 dollars phone just for that (One Plus n200 is now 84 dollars).
Since I only use apps when there’s no other option (web version and PWA for everything else), it’s actually refreshing. I charge my car at home unless I’m on a road trip, and only use banking apps 1 day of the month to get paid and pay bills. Outside of that, I’m home free with everything self hosted and absolutely no social networks other than Lemmy and Mastodon.
Unfortunately, if you want privacy, you need to compromise. However, absolutely nothing will make me drop my GrapheneOS use for everything else.
I get it that’s not optimal, but the alternative, in my opinion is even worse.
Good luck degoogling, and I wish you enjoy the mental health improvement once you do.
I moved to GrapheneOS a few months ago and haven’t really looked back. Someone else below covered using the Sandboxed Google play / Aurora Store (I use both, in addition to fdroid).
Although I could conceivably install more apps, using GrapheneOS had made me think more deeply about whether I actually need an app, instead of using a web browser. It’s true that using the web is a degraded experience (likely intentionally so, in some cases), but this is a cost I’m willing to pay for better security and privacy.
Finally, I wanna rep Magic Earth as a solid alternative to Google maps. Route finding is accurate and includes traffic warnings, etc. It uses OpenStreetMap data FWIW.
Yeah but some apps just do not have website equivalent, which is the main issue. For instance, the local messaging app does not have web version.
On the Magic Earth app, does it show multiple alternative routes? I found Organic maps problematic in that it only gave a single route.
Surely it’s only “Gulf of America” from the southern tip of Florida across to the Mexican border?
IIRC Google shows different names and borders depending on the location you’re accessing it from. They just follow whatever the local government thinks is right.
There’s no thought in our government, so they’re already messing that one up. Also, it’s just the president who cares (and I guess some people who voted for him), I’d imagine a majority of people here aren’t calling it the new name (or even know the name changed).
I’ve always heard locals just call it “the Gulf.”
I’ve seen this said several places, but haven’t seen anyone give a concrete example (at all, let alone on such a scale). I suppose there’s locations in Ukraine/Russia where it happens, though I suspect that Google isn’t just going to side with Russia on that one
I think I heard it in a YouTube video. The specific example was a contested region between India and China. Depending on your location Google showed you different borders, each time according to the country’s official point of view
Slow your horses there partner. That sounds an awful lot like facts and logic. We don’t do that stuff here, so quit using that brain of yours. Take the outrage bait and join in on this circlejerk.
You’re right. No more braining!
Yes, big international companies bowing down to local authoritarian governments… nothing outrageous going on there in the world. This definitely hasn’t helped dictators remain in power or target citizens, jerk away!
Use that logic to form sarcastic, misconstrued, and dangerous viewpoints and throw facts out the window! How fun!
Lad. Google has always done this.
You access Google maps from different locations and you’ll see names and border changes.
Because, and this might surprise a sheltered yanks such as yourself. There’s a whole world outside your borders, and different cultures call different locations different names.
You guys have got way bigger fish to fry than this.
Live in the south Bud, your yank shit can go out the window. We have bigger fish to fry than the worlds largest company that influences elections and controls our data and produces algorithm’s to ensure our behavior?
The point is Google has always done this shit, just because someones been pissing in your cornflakes every morning doesn’t mean you can’t get upset when they eat asparagus. Or better yet, maybe care they’re pissing in your shit to begin with?
It’s not about “bigger fish to fry”, ain’t no one frying fish in this fucker. We’re just talking and spreading awareness, idk wtf you’re doing here besides complaining about people being aware (this is a degoogle community after all).
(this is a degoogle community after all).
And there’s way more important thing to complain about when it comes to Google then something as routine as this.
The only thing you are spreading awareness about, is how sheltered you are.
This same thing has been done for the Persian/Arabian Gulf, something that I can’t help be suspicious that it’s never been brought up.
Holy hell, talk about projection with your sheltered remarks. Did you try searching for persian arabian gulf before commenting? “I haven’t seen anyone complaining about one thing, so no one should be complaining about this thing.” You’re seriously saying this?
“I deem anyone not agreeing with me as a sheltered yank, I am definitely not a sheltered southerner with a bias”
I wish I could actually add anything to this conversation but your last response was just a “nuh uh!” with more insults sprinkled in (I guess to make you feel better about yourself? how’s that going?). You’ve wasted time proclaiming this is a waste of time. Glad you got bigger fish to fry, can’t wait for what great subject we should be focusing on with our comments.
I guess everyone would benefit from seeing your comment history and all the great fish frying you’re doing. Us plebs talking about such mundane things is such a waste since you’ve highlighted it for the community. I imagine there’s a whole plethora of comments you made about Google that will help lead us into a better future.
Typical sheltered yank. Only complaining when something affects you.
great subject we should be focusing on with our comments
Something actually relevant to Google? And not standard operating procedure.
I would hate to see what would happen when you learn about how Google maps handles all the disputed borders in the world.
In Portugal, it appears as “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)”
In Germany, it is still “Golf von Mexiko”.
Edit: when you zoom in, it is the same as in Portugal.
That has to be illegal…
Same in Canada.
this is only effective in the US btw, this doesn’t apply outside of the US, why google has done this? Probably the appease trump, and honestly, anything that keeps trump busy that isn’t overthrowing the US government is good in my books.
In Taiwan it says:
Gulf of Mexico(Gulf of America)
Same for me in the US!
Same here in Canada, though I get the American version with an American VPN.
Same for me in Australia
Gulf of America.
Don’t catch me slipping tho.
Fuck Google and Samsung and everyone else who is preinstalled on my phone from the factory. I switched my phone OS to an AOSP GSI without the Google mobile services. Will probably be switching to WordPress from Blogger.
You should probably do some research on WordPress before migrating. Personally I wouldn’t touch WordPress with somebody else’s 10ft pole right now, the drama is an extreme turnoff. I’ve tried every AI chat bot except Automattics because I’m not interested in their games. Plenty of other great blogging platforms to choose from.
I mentioned it because it is the closest thing to Blogger.
That’s probably true and totally fair. I’ve heard good things about Ghost lately. Personally I’m looking into SSG’s for a new blog, a bit of setup but after that I really like the workflow. I’m trying out Zola right now. Good luck!
How about Concrete5 instead?
Though there’s an option to write Pandoc-based static site blog.
Just checked. You can even select it, but cannot report an error at that location. But you can leave reviews, so…
No better time than the present to switch to OpenStreetMap

For Android, I use OsmAnd~ which uses OpenStreetMap data and allows you to download maps to calculate routes offline, something Google Maps couldn’t do for routes by foot and by bike last time I tried.
It also has better coverage for some small paths in natural areas like forests. Give it a try!
The OsmAnd~ app, from fdroid, is the premium (and paid) version og OsmAnd, also known as OsmAnd+.
If you use the fdroid version, and enjoy the app, consider donating to the developers through other means.
In OSM ″Gulf of America″ is added under official_name:en-US tag so if any app uses this tag to display names, it will show up.

Here is the link to OSM object for Gulf of Mexico. And here is a thread that discusses naming.
Any country/language can call any object as they want. This change of course was dumb and petty and doubt it will be adopted by other regions, but this is nothing new or special. Google Maps currently show ″Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)″ for me. When checking in another language it shows same naming standard.
You’re all welcome in !openstreetmap@lemmy.ml to discuss antying OSM-related.
The namechange of the Gulf has been discussed on our forum; how to deal with this has been decided in consensus.
And, obligated self-promo: if you want to start contributing to OSM, you can try https://mapcomplete.org/ (which is someting else then the StreetComplete app, but that one is nice too!)





















