GeoNames Map Explorer

GeoNames Map Explorer turns your iPhone or iPad into an offline-first field GIS for mapping, navigation, data collection, surveying, travel awareness, and team coordination.

WORLDWIDE PLACE INTELLIGENCE • Search NGA foreign and USGS domestic geographic names online or from downloaded data • Find addresses, nearby places, map features, U.S. embassies and consulates • Hear supported place-name pronunciations and review weather, travel advisories, emergency contacts, and field references • Translate place information and supported chat content when language tools are enabled

POWERFUL ONLINE AND OFFLINE MAPS • Use open MapLibre maps, downloadable areas of interest, and local map packages • Organize online and offline layers, change styles, reorder overlays, and inspect attributes • Work with GeoPackage, MBTiles, GeoJSON, GPX, KML, and other configured GIS sources • Display raster, feature, and vector-tile content with configurable styles and labels • Use MGRS/GARS grids, time zones, boundaries, an inset map, compass, measurement tools, weather, gridded reference graphics, military symbols, placemarks, bookmarks, and geotagged photos • Export map images and manage files through the iOS Files workflow

SEARCH, MEASURE, AND ANALYZE • Go directly to a coordinate or convert between common geographic and grid systems • Run offline spatial searches and filter supported attribute tables to the visible map • Find nearby records by map center, typed coordinate, or current location • Convert supported vector GIS data to GeoJSON, GeoPackage features, or MBTiles vector tiles when the DuckDB Spatial build is enabled

FIELD DATA AND PROFESSIONAL POSITIONING • Record GPX tracks, waypoints, time, distance, and activity details • Design and complete forms with geometry, attributes, notes, and photos • Create survey sessions, classify points, retain accuracy and GNSS provenance, and export field data • Connect to compatible Bluetooth GNSS receivers • Relay validated NTRIP/CORS corrections to compatible RTK receivers and monitor receiver-reported RTK Fixed, RTK Float, DGPS, and autonomous states

TAK AND CONNECTED OPERATIONS • Connect to a configured TAK Server using secure credentials and certificates • Share position information, view team members and map markers, and exchange GeoChat messages • Support Cursor on Target position, chat, marker, and emergency workflows • Connect to supported Meshtastic or Traccar services when those integrations are enabled • Visualize configured real-time feeds for aircraft, vessels, transit, sensors, drones, GeoJSON, KML, and Esri streams

AI-ASSISTED, WITH OFFLINE OPTIONS • Import a compatible on-device Gemma model for supported translation and entity extraction • Dictate supported GeoChat messages with Apple speech recognition and listen with text to speech • Extract locations, coordinates, callsigns, dates, routes, urgency, and other structured details from supported messages • Keep TAK text and audio workflows local when the on-device language feature is used

PROFESSIONAL AND MISSION WORKFLOWS The solution includes configurable mission planning, tactical graphics, standardized message handling, terrain, training, collaboration, direct GIS service exchange, and cloud-data modules. Availability depends on the release configuration, connected services, organizational authorization, and device capabilities.

Some features require downloaded data, an internet connection, a configured server, third-party credentials, a compatible external receiver or radio, or a separately imported AI model. RTK accuracy depends on receiver capability, correction service, conditions, and workflow. This app is a situational-awareness and field-data tool, not a substitute for official emergency, navigation, aviation, maritime, or life-safety systems.

Continued background location and Bluetooth use can reduce battery life.