About MapQuest

MapQuest offers a free online web mapping service. Founded in 1967 as Cartographic Services, it became an independent company in 1994 and was renamed GeoSystems Global Corporation before being acquired in 2000 by AOL.

The MapQuest web service was launched in 1996 and in 1999 the company was renamed MapQuest due to the popularity of its online brand. In 2004, MapQuest, uLocate, Research in Motion and Nextel launched MapQuest Find Me, a friend-finder that works via GPS-enabled mobile phones. It also shows the users current position and locates nearby points of interest including airports, hotels, restaurants, banks and ATMs. In 2006, MapQuest created "Build Your Route" using additional stops the user can reorder their route to avoid turns or particular roads. Other MapQuest services include branded Yellow Pages, a world atlas and MapQuest Mobile.

Earthware and MapQuest

Whilst MapQuest has successfully created inroads into the US market, like Multimap in the UK, it has struggled to create a consistent presence outside the US. With recent developments of Google Street View and Bing Maps Silverlight, it is difficult to see how MapQuest, in its current form, will gain a worldwide market share. However, at Earthware we like significant parts of its user interface such as its sponsor slider.

Please contact us to find out more about how you might create amazing mapping experiences using MapQuest.