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by pferde 287 days ago
I guess that's country-specific. Over here, Google Maps has woefully outdated business info, apart from big names like McDonald or Starbucks. And I'm not even talking about building shapes, sidewalks, paths, or even roads.

Meanwhile in OSM, everything is much more detailed and kept up to date. I know, because I'm a mapper myself, and help keep it that way.

Google Maps seem like just another ad platform, for companies to pay if they want to be shown in higher zoom levels.
2 comments
koyote 287 days ago
Just so I know for future travels: where is this and what do you use instead?

So far I have seen Google Maps be pretty useless in parts of Asia with their own software infrastructure (e.g. Korea or Japan) but it's been very useful in most Western countries.

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pferde 287 days ago
One of Europe's less developed countries.

An app to use that is closest to Google Maps experience is probably Mapy.com. It has decent navigation capability for cars, bikes and pedestrians, both in and out of cities, and slick UI.

Also worth trying is CoMaps, OsmAnd or Locus Maps.

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jraph 287 days ago
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45090654#45122373
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risico 287 days ago
> Google Maps seem like just another ad platform, for companies to pay if they want to be shown in higher zoom levels.

I know, mostly that's my pet peeve as well and I guess I got trained to see through the noise. It is the last Google product that I am struggling to get rid off.

> I guess that's country-specific. Over here,

Where is that?

I am slowly trying to get move to OSM backed apps and hoping to put in the effort as a mapper/contributor as well.

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pferde 287 days ago
I'm in one of Europe's slightly less developed countries.

And I can only recommend getting into mapping as a hobby. It got me to discover parts of my own city and region I've completely overlooked despite living there for decades, and gave me reasons to get out more.

I just wish it was easier to edit the map on mobile, but alas, nothing beats big desktop screen with a good editor and a precise input method. Mobile screens are small, and my fingers are fat. :)

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