cross-posted from: https://feddit.nl/post/33407329
We’ve all already talked about switching away from google/apple maps to something like openstreetmaps, mapy, tomtom amigo, etc. But all of these services use openstreetmaps (UK non-profit) as a source and they still miss a lot of local data even for bigger cities!
If you have some spare time, think about adding a bit of data to the map with your local knowledge. There’s a lot of business data missing that is on google maps like websites, phone numbers and opening hours but also stuff like parking lots and whether they’re publicly accessible and free or not. Adding these makes the competition of ALL services using OSM as a source better.
I also use the mobile app https://streetcomplete.app/ and https://every-door.app/ to add data while on my walks, these make my walks more engaging and I actually take longer ones + see new places because of it. Streetcomplete also has a focus on important and easy to collect data with their default filters, and you can choose what you want to contribute.
If you really want to get into the thick of it and contribute more than just simple data you can always check out https://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/How_to_contribute and see in which of the many ways you can contribute!
I recently settled on https://organicmaps.app/ as my navigation app.
It’s Open Source, uses OpenStreetMaps, works quite well on its own, and can (if downloaded through Google Play) even be used with Android Auto.
The only thing it misses, to my personal preference, is a live speedometer based off of GPS speed and local road speed limit indications.
Otherwise it fits the shift away from a proprietary software dominated market perfectly.
I’m pretty sure it shows me the speed limit when in driving mode.
Perhaps not all all regions have that metadata available on OpenStreetMaps?
Just checked at random spots in the netherlands and indeed a lot of roads are missing speed limit data. This again is a great reason to contribute where possible!
And I just noticed the speedometer actually works when using the phone screen, but it doesn’t show (in my case) on the Android Auto screen.
Will keep contributing as much as possible!
I’d personally suggest checking out Tomtom Amigo in that case, that has a working speedometer on android auto (its by the dutch company Tomtom, free and uses OSM)
I’ve settled with tomtom amigo as its dutch (and I live there) as a great navigation app. Use mapy as a maps app.