Title is editorialized because the original is, frankly, clickbait garbage
Normal people: Gladly give google maps access to location data at all times and never think about it
Me: Instinctively worry that on the rare occasions I do use google maps it’s somehow identifying me and keeping track of all the locations I look at, so I sometimes look at random places I’m not really interested in just to throw off the algorithms.
But most of the time I prefer osmand.
Me: can’t install Google Maps because my phone doesn’t have gapps. Awesome.
Oh yeah, I tend to forget that there’s an app and it’s not just a website.
You have been free for a while then i suppose.
Oh, yeah, I do use the website sometimes to convert an address to GPS coordinates and load that into OSMAnd
Osmand is really cool and it’s really capable but I understand that it isn’t for people who don’t want to tinker a bit to make things work just right for them.
For that Organic Maps is what I recommend.
You: thinking they weren’t already tracking you by a zillion other means including wifi/bt and cellular triangulation
Me: google-free wifi-only phone with all radios/mic/camera physically disconnected unless I need something specific
Or have your phone location turned on and be super boring back and forth. When you deviate use a burner.
Normal people: Gladly give google maps access to location data at all times and never think about it
Yet also same normal people get utterly genuinely shock when they see a map of their past locations for the last 3 months.
Do they though?
Use fossdroid
Because we use OsmAnd
Who in their right mind would charge a subscription fee to download and/or update maps?
Edit: I only found out about this after my father downloaded the app on his phone, and it said he only has 5 downloads remaining before downloading the map for my state. It’s extremely dumb for a “privacy focused maps app”
Only from walled garden app stores, the full unrestricted OSMAnd APK is available for free without restrictions from fdroid
Not if you have an iphone.
Thats a known issue with iPhone though. Nothing new added
That doesn’t make it better.
Well tell apple to let you sideload apps.
Because development is not free
But isn’t it open sourced? Can’t they have like a buymeacoffee? Not lock the most important feature behind a paywall?
It’s not locked, build it yourself or download the apk from fdroid. If that is too complicated for you (or anyone else), maybe pay for the service being provided then?
Ahh yes, let me install an Android PacKage on an iPhone
That just goes with a territory of having an iPhone. When you bought that device you signed on to a culture of consumption that is enforced by the developer of that device.
The developer can’t force Apple to let the developer give it to you for free. Apple doesn’t tolerate free very well and anything that is free on Apple is likely either a privacy nightmare or is paid for by some subscription you have with Apple.
This isn’t a problem with the app It’s a problem with the Apple.
Apple
something something altstore
If only there was some alternative like paying for the software you use 🙄
Because a subscription is definitely a viable alternative.
If you really want to you can just download them outside the app for free. I like that it provides a free option for those with more time than money and a paid option for those with more money than time.
TL;DW?
EDIT: thank you guys for the summaries.
Google saw neat idea, built cool software, users happy. Replace cars to generate map data with phones for utmost accuracy. Trends of maximizing profit from cool technology makes users sad and services suck like other popular sites. Host begs Google not to make maps suck next.
Every free tech service can be (notionally) graded on how much value it offers for how much of your data it sucks up and monetizes. Most of the time we see an initial high value that gradually decreases as the developer gets greedy.
Google maps has managed to become Google “best” service, but it’s important to be aware of the scale of problem we’ll see if they start squeezing it for increasing profits, since it sucks up so much of our data and manages to be so useful.
That’s the bulk of it, but there were other points being made about solving for edge cases that seem less central to the point.
Google has a massive leg up in its technology and use cases so everyone uses it. The guy described it as a “1%” problem (as in the last percent of use cases that are hard to add to the app) and Google doesn’t have as many of those.
I’ve been trying to use osmand but it doesnt have public transport capabilities or live updates which is just too much its missing out on to switch for 100% of tasks
It’s fine to use it for 80% of tasks too and try to contribute to it becoming available for 100% of tasks.
I can’t use it for 80% I don’t even have house numbers on streets Ive added a whole bunch tho so I guess I’m making it better for the future. Idk where to even start with adding live traffic/public transport to it what language does it even use?
I find public transport like buses extremely lacking, using google I ended up on the wrong part of the city, best to use local apps for it.
“HERE we go” has that. Although i dont think its open source, its probably miles better than google.
Here is trash in my area. You don’t want to use it here
I don’t see any advantage over google unless its open source.
Most people into Privacy, either stumbled upon the niche or work(ed) in some IT or related field. Have tried talking to the family, they are in denial or do not care. Or think that using WhatsApp is a wise choice and/or they are immune to ads. Somehow. It’s like talking to a goat who has more desire for habit over sense.
I remember playing with Google Now, thinking it ‘neat’ and then within seconds realizing that in order for it to work optimally meant giving Google everything. It got me to root my phone and removed Goople Play Services and/or different ROMs. Today, I do not use Google for anything or use front-ends with a VPN or if ever really needed, Tor.
Organic maps or OSMAnd. Plus, I find these two better for cycling and hiking, over Gmaps. If you must use Gmaps briefly, then GMaps WV from F-Droid.
What is the benefit of using GMaps WV over the web client in a browser?
I find OSMAnd superior to Google Maps in India, so I use it. Google sometimes screws up my family or friends, and then I step in as the saviour.
Try organic maps
Also I am not surprised that OSM is good in India. India seems to become the Foss and DIY hub of the world.
Last I heard, Organic Maps is not as good at searching locations and other minor things compared to OSMAnd. It has been 2 years since, so might give it a shot.
ignore
It seems the recommendations in my 2 year old smartphone guide need a little reevaluation and updates.
It has come a long way in to years. I would give it a shot as the UI is easier to use
what’s a good alternative if one’s using GMaps mainly for travelling instead of navigation (i.e. looking up nearby restaurants and getting reviews, public transport, attractions and their opening hours, etc.)?
Organic maps is what I use. Keep in mind OSM is built by the community so in places with lower tech literacy it will incomplete
Used to know someone who looked for cars around a restaurant, or long lines waiting to get into a tiny cafe, asked wait staff for interesting places they liked to go; went into non-chain stores where locals shopped (off the main streets); asked walkers and service station workers for directions. Always had wild stories about what happened, if you could get past their private nature. Weird fucker, unpredictable, never could get used to’m. Likeable enough, though.
human interaction
what if you’re autistic?
What if you have one arm?
your ability to speak Italian would be impaired but you could still get a small phone that can be used with one hand
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://piped.video/watch?v=P2qOiKA56tI&list=WL&index=1
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source; check me out at GitHub.
I for one don’t talk about it… because I don’t use Google Maps. I briefly mention OSM or CityMapper when people send me GoogleMaps links but otherwise better to show than tell IMHO.
Well video is about regular people, not us
