Organic Maps Turns 4: The Privacy-Focused Alternative to Google Maps
Organic Maps, the privacy-focused, open-source alternative to Google Maps, celebrates its 4th anniversary. The project came to life during Christmas week of 202…
I'm glad their app is getting traction. I wish all map apps that use OpenStreetMap data loaded this fast (cough cough OSMand)
And I wish that they had contributed all that energy to improving Osmand (a project which AFAICT has exactly the same goals) instead of reinventing the wheel. Then we might already have one amazing app instead of one very good app (Osmand) and a mediocre one which is marginally more responsive.
They are very different tools even if the underlying data is the same. Osmand is powerful and highly customisable but with a much steeper learning curve. Organic maps is easy to use with emphasis on UX/UI. I think they appeal to very different need and users.
I don't know what OsmAnd looked like at the time of Organic Maps being started, but IMO based on how they look, OM is much more welcoming to the average user and OsmAnd is for power users. I still keep both on my phone, but I reach for OM first nearly everytime
I want to use this, but does it have car integration? Since I got a car, I had to enable a lot of google services for map through Android auto.
Yes it works on Android Auto.
Also on CarPlay
This suggests yes: https://organicmaps.app/faq/app/how-to-use-android-auto/
Damn, I was really looking forward to trying this out but my primary use for Google Maps is navigating public tansport (mainly finding bus and train times as well as routes for longer journies) but it says the data isn't available in my region yet :(
In my area the transport aithority has a website for that, so i just use that via Firefox mobile, works fine.
I am a little concerned about the apps ties to Russia. I could not find much information on Alexey Naumenko which means he could live in Russia.
I know this is definitely geopolitical but I think keeping important projects away from Russia would be good for the time being.
If you look up the actual Estonian LLC (OÜ) they use, it's owned by two guys with Russian sounding names, one living in Argentina (claims to be Byelorussian) and one living in UK (not much info on him online).
It's public info if you just look up the company name, so I'm not really doxing them.
Whether or not that's suspicious is up to you. Estonia does make it hella easy for anyone to register a company, you don't have to be a citizen, or even a real resident, you only have to be an e-resident I believe.
When it comes to open source software, in my opinion its a good thing when all individous people from all of the world can use and participate. Sometimes free software is the only chance for people to sustain against repressive governments.
As the app is free and open source the community can easily review the software functionality and detect malicious behaviour. Also the app is free, so no money need to go from you to anybody.
Nevertheless I think its good that you are doubtful and share your doubts in public. Thanks for your opinion.