Spatial Knowledge and Behaviour

Using spatial media to understand, navigate and act on the world is an integral element in being a connected, technology-using individual. Apple users discovered just how critical spatial media are to their everyday life when updating their mobile devices to the iOS6 operating system on 19 September 2012. Following the long process, users discovered that the Google maps application had been replaced with Apple’s own maps application. The new application, built on OpenStreetMap, brought much derision due to its curious inaccuracies, such as labelling Berlin as ‘Schoeneiche’ (Butcher, 2012). The changes brought consternation and discontent; Apple swiftly allowed Google Maps to be reinstalled as an app on iOS devices in December 2012. Evidence suggests though many users continued to use Apple’s app following improvements (Arthur, 2013). The disruption of spatial media services caused a major public relations incident for Apple, but also created angst for media users as these applications have become critical for the continually connected mobile media user and disrupted their perceived ability to cope in the everyday world. The behaviour of using spatial media and the epistemologies that this engenders are therefore critical features of our data- and information-infused world. This chapter investigates some of the emerging issues and theoretical approaches related to this behavioural and epistemological shift.