Americans will buy millions of smartphones, tablet computers and other digital tech this holiday season, and many of those gifts will be given to children.

Digital maps play a huge role in everyday tasks — from finding a restaurant to a friend’s apartment. But they’re also playing a large part in serious pursuits like disaster cleanup and rebuilding. This week, New Tech City looks at mapping before and after Sandy, as well as a the process known as “map warping.”

Two weeks after Sandy hit the New York region, is the recovery coming along as fast it could?

Sandy turned the New York City metropolitan area into a low tech region last week. The storm knocked out power, cut internet access and limited phone service throughout the tri-state region.