# Eradicating Punctuation City in England Bans Apostrophes From Street Names to Simplify GPS By Going Like Sixty | Published 2009-02-09 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/character-changing-for-gps-ditching-the-apostrophe-for-technology References: [good.is](http://www.good.is/?p=15397) If the city of Birmingham, England has its way, Mike O'Malley would just be Mike Omalley, and G'harne D'agistino would be Gharne Dgastino. Why? Because computers hate apostrophes. Birmingham has banned them entirely from [street names](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/surreal-street-art-1) because [GPS](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parkyai) doesn’t know how to handle places like St. Paul’s Square. Rather than change the programming language, it apparently is easier to change the English language. However, in the case of [De’Cody Fagg](http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=145755), changing dropping the apostrophe won’t help one bit. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Apostrophe-free Street Names:** Opportunity for technology companies to develop innovative GPS systems that can accurately navigate without relying on apostrophes in street names. - **Programming Language for GPS:** Potential for software developers to create programming languages for GPS that can handle special characters like apostrophes in street names. - **Simplifying GPS:** Market opportunity for companies to create GPS systems that prioritize simplicity by eliminating the need for special characters in street names. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Technology:** Technology companies can capitalize on the need for innovative GPS systems that can accurately navigate without relying on apostrophes in street names. - **Software Development:** Software developers have the opportunity to create programming languages for GPS that can handle special characters like apostrophes in street names. - **Navigation Systems:** Companies in the navigation systems industry can explore opportunities to simplify GPS systems by eliminating the need for special characters in street names. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gas-Powered Vehicle Discontinuations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fiat.md) - [Spelling-Error Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jimmy-deans.md) - [AI Writing Parody Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/badwritergpt.md) - [AI-Powered Signage Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parky-ai.md) - [Cheeky Inaccurate Language Museums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/museum-of-wonky-english.md) - [Colorful Queer Monuments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/queer-monument.md) - [Simplified Digital Voice Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/siri.md) - [Crowdsourced Delivery Driver Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/driver-app.md) - [Hot Dog-Themed Mascot Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frankmobile.md)