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by lucideer 1041 days ago
I think this would have been true in the past, but it may be changing. Google are fast degrading their maps UX as part of their maps monetisation efforts, to the point that backlash has even reached normal users. I was listening to a very mainstream commute-time FM radio talkshow yesterday that brought up Google Maps' UX degradation - that's an extremely non-tech audience. I can see a new space growing in the market for people wanting a Google alternative for reasons entirely removed from ethics.

In addition to all of the above, Maps.me has had a pretty ample userbase for a long time now - while it is technically an open-source codebase (to the extent its even been forked & put on FDroid), its privacy policy & general Russian links of the company behind it still leave a lot of red flags for your typical OSM users.
2 comments
OfSanguineFire 1041 days ago
It's not really a matter of "Russian links". Maps.me was sold from its original founders to a payment-processing company that hasn't been developing the app further. That was the reason for the fork of its open-source codebase as Organic Maps, which is very actively developed.
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matkoniecz 1041 days ago
Also, Organic Maps is run by (some subset of?) original founders.

Interesting case of why developers may prefer open source: company was sold, but code was open to legal reuse under a new brand.

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tuukkah 1041 days ago
Users may prefer for the same reason.
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verve_rat 1041 days ago
Surely a non-compete was involved?
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matkoniecz 1040 days ago
It has not happened immediately. Also, AFAIK they were not in USA but somewhere in Europe.
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lucideer 1041 days ago
Depends on the region you're in but non-competes vary wildly in enforceability. They mainly survive on the threat of incurring costs of a legal fight rather than likelihood of actual follow through enforcement.
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amne 1040 days ago
"to a payment processing company". Ok. Now it makes sense. I just launched maps.me on my phone for the first time in more than 2 years I think and I was wondering why it's asking me to log in and also inviting me to use the Maps Wallet? What? A wallet? In a maps app? Haven't uninstalled an app faster in my life.
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lucideer 1041 days ago
It's had 3 separate forks over the years: I was mainly basing my comment on the 2 predating the sale as I haven't actually tried Organic Maps (yet) - good to hear its actively developed. I had given up on the other two due to various challenges with the tile hosting. Must give this one a try.
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ho_schi 1041 days ago
May check Organic Maps? A fork.
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