I've been trying to de-Google and de-Microsoft myself and am wondering if OpenStreetMap is a viable alternative to Google Maps. Any of y'all use it? Also are there any apps for IOS you would recommend for it?

  • culdrought [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    OsmAnd is probably the best app for both Android and iOS. It is a viable alternative, but there are 3 main issues:

    • Search. Google Maps is just incredible for searching for businesses etc, and having the correct opening hours. You can help by contributing to OSM.
    • Routing. OsmAnd tends to send you on some truly stupid routes sometimes. You'll get to your destination, but it may take a bit longer than it needed to.
    • Live traffic data. You can get a visual overlay to show up with a bit of work, but it's less than ideal and isn't taken into account by the routing at all.
    • kota [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Osmand is quite good. The biggest pain point is searching for a specific local place. If you have a pin on a map you're good to go. Putting in an address is also usually fine (but not perfect). The actual driving navigation is really great imo and you can configure exactly how much or little it will talk to you. Also theres a streetview project called mapillary and the Wikipedia integration is really nice. You can click on a random monument and learn its racist history.

      • culdrought [he/him]
        ·
        4 years ago

        For searching for local places, try using duckduckgo in your mobile browser. First, go to "Other Settings" and set your "Open Directions in..." to OpenStreetMaps.

        Then, when you want to search for a place,

        • search for the place using duckduckgo in your browser
        • click on the "Maps" tab
        • select the correct result
        • long press "Directions" button, and select "Copy link" (this may vary depending on your browser)
        • paste that link directly into the search field in OsmAnd

        Driving navigation has always been horrible for me though, maybe its better in other places.

      • unperson [he/him]
        ·
        4 years ago

        And bike directions where you can choose how much of a slope you like and whether or not to avoid avenues full of c*rs.