NYC subway map for PSP

by Evan Blass { Sep 29th 2005 at 11:15PM }

OK, get it while it's hot. We have a feeling this won't be available for very long, what with the whole flap over the MTA hatin' on free content, but for a limited time you can download a high-res, zoomable image of the NYC subway system to slide on in to your PSP. Intrepid reader Dave Horowitz offers this gratis to all, in what would seem to be clear defiance of MTA regulations that would require him to pay $500 to perform an obvious public-interest service. As we saw when William Bright went head-to-head with the MTA and BART over distributing maps for iPod consumption, quasi-governmental agencies seem to have no qualms about swinging their lawyers around when it comes to perceived copyright infringement. Oh, and the usual disclaimers apply: you didn't hear about this from us.

Update: It's not the MTA's map being offered here. But it's still handy and, um, timely, dig?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

QUANTUMPHYSICS - XboxLive @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Yet another great use for the incredible PSP.
When can we get a nice GPS addon?

Casey @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

sweet, especially since i live near boston =)

Josh @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Wait for it ..... Wait for it....

The NY Police have announced a rash of PSP thefts due to distracted tourists trying to look at illegal maps of the subway.

The tourists have since been fined for possesing an illegal map .... more to come

Nate MC @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Weren't these maps made with tax payer dollars?

If so they should belong to the public. But that's just my opinion.

ChrisXS @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

While this pic is nice and works well on both my psp and treo 650, I won't be tossing out the standard NYC subway map that I have in my messenger bag. The reason: this pic doesn't have cross streets.

However, I do like navigating the image with my analog stick on the psp and stylus on the treo.

Sreejith @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Woo cool ! wonder when it`ll come in other parts of the world .

ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

While I do feel the NYC MTA is acting annoying by tracking down subway map "perpetrators," the maps and subways are not paid for with taxpayer's dollars, the MTA is a private company. Taxpayer's money might come in to play every now and then when it gets loaned from the city to the MTA to make improvements, but it's like the U.S. Postal Service - it's a for-profit company.

ICEchrono @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

I did this.. kinda
I just scaned the MTA map I had and photoshoped it togetter and sized it for my old psp.

it was in much better detail.. ill see if I can find it.

taxpayer @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

ill trooper:

yes you are correct, although you don't mention how the government grants these types of "companies" de facto monopolies in their respective industries. therefore they owe the public the right to free information concerning the navigation of their services.

Anonymous @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Uh, this map is from NYCSubway.org and as such, is not copyrighted by the MTA and not subject to the $500 whatever fee. So go ahead, the MTA could not care less.

xray @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

It seems somewhat odd that the MTA is picking on you for
putting up a subway map.
In any case, The following URLs might prove useful for
anyone looking for a NYC Subway Map:
http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/subway/SubwayMap.gif
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Innovate Me @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

This thing is good for eveything else EXCEPT for putting out innovative games. Oh well. I am all for innovation as you can tell by my name.

OH...I had to give Sony props for Katamari Damacy, though. That is a weird game, but it's fun. I didn't expect that from Sony.

Glenn @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Finally! A non-PS2 port! Time to charge up my PSP again! What do you mean it's not a game?
:(

cuby @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

if you're on the train, you can look at a subway map next to the doors.

if you're on a platform, you can look at a subway map on the wall or a freestanding kiosk.

if you're outside a station, you can whip out a pocketsized folding subway map, the size of a credit card (they cost a couple bucks).

in what kind of situation, either those above or an as-yet unlisted scenario, would it make sense to whip out your 300 dollar piece of heavy, barely-portable electronics, burn precious fuel from its limited, albeit rechargeable supply, and futz around with a d-pad and zoom, in order to make sure that the F still stops at West 4th, which you already know it does, because you live here, and take the train every day?

and if you don't live here, and are a tourist, then don't go whipping out your PSP on the subway, because so help me god, i will rob you.

archimedes @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

I say they can take their map and their $500 and @#%$#$#$ ^###$%$$^#% ^$#^ ##$%##$% $$^#%^@##$%$!!!

wut? these maps are freeee. Ok tomorrow im not taking the train. No sir-eee, nop. I'm walking!! Ok maybe not. =)

P.S. #5 is to serious. Relaxxxx bro' :)

DaveHimself @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Actually Cuby I was showing it off in a bar tonight and someone stuck their head in and asked if I could settle a bet about uptown 6 train service from a particular station. You can use this map in a bar, club, restaurant, a job that has no computers, an apartment with no computer, a store, in a cab when your friend calls and asks how to get to the pary, at a party and I am sure I can come up with more uses in the morning. I get it. You like the DS. Which is awesome for petting imaginary dogs I hear. Relax I was just trying to do something handy.

Ben @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

This is NOT the MTA map.

Changaz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

For the Aussies on Engadget...

Heres a link to a Sydney/NSW Cityrail network map i converted into jpeg.

http://www.filefactory.com/get/f.php?f=befda6a57e8505e9a16d4696

Enjoy!

Jason Eubanks @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

The MTA are obviously idiots. Think how much money they would save on letting people print these out them selves. What a bunch of morons.

dpg @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Couple things I dont get...

First like someone else mentioned (#13) why would you want to use this on your device when there are so many other options?

Second, being that I have neither an iPod or PSP.. why does anyone have to create a special version of these maps for their devices? Doesnt the MTA itself provide a PDF version of their map on their own website? Do these devices not come with PDF viewers? Is there a limitation to using that version or something? Too big so its slow?

If the MTA does end up going after this Dave guy I think the next person who feels like being generous and providing the world with this service should do it this way:

Write a program that takes the data (made available by the MTA themselves) and formats it on the fly for your device. That way theyre really not actually providing illegal material, just the means to get it. Sorta like hosting torrent files of illegal content.. =)

Rob_ @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Can't people just use their psp to go online to look at the MTA website?

n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Those wondering why this is useful must not ride the same trains I do. 3/4 to 4/4 of all spots for subway maps in cars have been allotted to advertisements, and even when there is a subway map on the train I'd rather not hover over the occupant of the seat in front of it while I figure out some complex transfer. There aren't subway maps on all platforms, and sometimes you need to walk a long way to figure that out. Yes, there are pocket maps, but why would I need one? I'd rather have a digital map on every device that I carry with me, and never have to worry about losing it or wearing it out.

That said, yes, this is not an official MTA map, but according to NYCSubway.org, it is copyrighted and they do not allow reproduction. As this ".org" says - "don't even ask."

Also, this isn't really anything all that clever as far as adapting it for the PSP. It's just in .jpg format instead .gif. The iPod photo adaptation was a little more work because each section of the map had to be cut for optimal viewing because the iPod doesn't have photo zooming. The PSP does. In other words, if you want to make your own map, or any picture to put on the PSP, whether that's of the Boston, Chicago, London or Paris subway systems, all you need to do is put it in jpg format and put it on your PSP. With permission, of course.

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

#11 - Sony didn't make Katamari Damacy. Namco did. It is a PS2 exclusive because the only the PS2 and Xbox controllers are suitable and since it wasn't originally expected to sell outside of Japan, they didn't bother making an Xbox version.

dave h. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

this map is pretty handy, and is a touch larger than the MTA-offered map to boot. i've been using this for several months on my Tungsten and it has been great when coupled with VDI for very quick loads and scrolling.

ill trooper @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Taxpayer: Yes, I agree, and I am most upset about this sort of thing (Contacting the guy who did the iPod subway map, etc.) because the map is NOT their primary source of income, so it's lame that they patrol the waters for something that really has no purpose other than to HELP people spend money on navigating THEIR transit system.

Personally, I use a program called TUBE (http://www.visualit.co.uk/UIQ/P800_tube.htm) on my Sony Ericsson phone, which lets you add various subway maps from major cities, and it's a 'live' map, meaning you can ask it to show you a route from one station to another, gives you transfer info, etc. It's pretty cool, I use the NYC one as I live here, but I also have the Tokyo one and that is useful when I'm there.

dave h. @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

forgot to mention - for Palm users looking for a quick free alternative, you can use this -

http://www.nanika.net/Metro

cuby @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

dave, i have no particular love for the DS over the PSP, i simply believe that most anyone who puts a subway map on either their iPod or their psp does so purely so they can show other people that they have a subway map on their iPod or PSP. maybe it's just the bitter curmudgeon in me, but i can't stop envisioning some hipster (no offense to the editors) whipping out his ipod between Stellas and showing his insufferable friends that kool mta map and saying "yeah, and it's like, totally illegal, if the cops find this they'll confiscate it fo ril, and i'd end up in the gulag [aka bushwick, because i really needed that map since i've only lived in the city for a week, and my eyes can no longer comprehend information in paper form]".

i think the most interesting issue here isn't the MTA gettin sand all up they thighs about copyright, but rather, how far will we go to indulge the status-seeking antics of iPod and psp owners whose hunger for envy knows no satisfaction. some dude gets Phantasy Star to play on his Archos 400, but we're all going gaga because someone managed to put a picture onto the screen of a portable device? enstatus.com eh ;)

Jayson Elliot @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

That picture of the map on the PSP really makes me want to play the orginal GTA now...

Ben Atwood @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Ok, the copyright lawyers are full of shit, but...

The PSP has a photo viewer, right? Why can't people just download the map from http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm and... well they wouldn't have to do much else, would they? What's the big deal?

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

What games can I play with the subway map?

DaveHimself @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Ben (and others who are pointing out how "not clever" this is) it really is no big deal. I think I pointed that out in my post. I am not a hacker or a code guy or even all that proficient with computers in general. I just noticed there was no subway map for my PSP so I made one. It took about 2 minutes. In fact to many people's dismay I did it using screengrabs of the upper and lower portions of the map - putting them back together in PhotoShop - and using "Save For Web" to make it a reasonable size JPG. When I was done I used it and said "neat." Then put it on my blog cause I thought folks would want one too. According to my stat counter 4000 people (so far) also think its "neat."

Disciple of Nintendo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

OMG is this a new game to be realeased later this year? Thus, making it the first killer app on the PSP...ohh wait it's not a game. Ohhh well I'll see you guys tomorrow when new PSP add on news pops up on the net. So its not a game, how bizarre!

n8 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Dave: I didn't mean to be insulting by saying "not clever." I just meant to point out that it's a fairly easy thing to do with any picture, and therefore if people say wanted to do the same with the MTA map that Ben pointed to, it would be a matter of right click > save to disk > open with picture editor > save as jpg.

Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

PSP is for yuppies...just like the iPod....well and GBmicro (except there are games for GBmicro)

Innovate Me @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

OH MAN, YOUR RIGHT #23. I really am sorry for that comment. Namco did make Katamari Damacy and it was just on the PS2. You are right. Sorry, sorry, sorry. Thanks, or helping me get my facts straight.

Innovate Me @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

OH...the word "or" is suppose to be "for". Thanks again.

DaveHimself @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

No offense taken n8

and you are right, your description of how to do it is the simple and "right" way. With my limited skills I often take the long way around.

I must say it was fun to get 4500 hits for a change rather than my usual 17.

It was just one of those things that was sittin there infront of everyone and waiting for someone to do it.

Its no milliondollarhomepage thats for sure.

Hector Martinez @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

This map on psp idea was stolen from me. Look at this thread I created 3 days ago.

http://www.thepspnation.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=715

DaveHimself @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Hector as I said "It was just one of those things that was sittin there infront of everyone and waiting for someone to do it."

I searched for an existing NYC Subway map very carefully befor I made mine. I can assure you I never saw your thread.

We were probably both inspired by the ipod map stories and though you did start your thread befor me, I provided a pretty picture and a link for the map. It was a ready made post for tech blogs and they ate it up.

I guess we are both visionaries and your vision is actually 3 days better than mine. Sorry to dissapoint.

soupbun @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

"Yet another great use for the incredible PSP. "

I'd never pull out my PSP, wait to boot it up, and traverse menus just to look at a subway map in NYC public. I'd look like an idiot, especially when there are THOUSANDS of maps posted all over NY and you can pick up a map for free. It was never really all that kewl on a PDA, so it would look ever geekier with a PSP. I'd also rather look at the map on a hi-res screen at home. I'd rather have the map on my mobile though.

DaveHimself @ Dec 18th 2005 9:26PM

Why are people so terribly bitter and negative about a map on a hand held gaming device? I am blown away by the amount of mean spirited criticism.

SOUPBUN: There are THOUSANDS of maps posted IN TRAINS and IN THE STATIONS period. There are NO subway maps on the street or in businesses. AND from the OFF position it takes me 3 seconds to be looking at the map on the PSP.

PS. I am sure the 10,340 people who have grabbed the map from my site so far were just looking for a hip, unique wrapping paper they could print themselves.