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Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

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Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#22
post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

I've been using Maps.me, it has great mapping material (OSM) and the navigation is decent. Been using it in the Caribbeans, GMaps and AMaps barely have street names there.

Organic Maps is the open source fork of Maps.me. It's very similar, but better maintained, and has less shady stuff

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#24
post #17
post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

HERE WeGo[0] works remarkably well here in the north of Africa, much better than google maps or TomTom. [0] https://wego.here.com/

Watch out, Here Maps has the Facebook SDK malware embedded in it that will call home to Zuck on every app launch (at least) and send a device fingerprint and persistent identifier.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just to remind you, the user get the whole functionality of the app. That's the trade-off.

> That's the trade-off. Only if the user is aware of that.

Users aren't aware they are using Google Maps?

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#27
post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

There are still places in the world where Apple Maps isn't great, but for 90% of people they're now as good for navigation, if not better (since they've built a data gathering operation). Last year I used Apple Maps for a 34,000 mile road trip. No significant issues.

I've switched to Apple Maps and it's been an improvement. Much better UI on CarPlay (subjective, but I find it to be easier to quickly read/decipher while driving). Still missing the "Yelp" part of Google Maps, there's not as much of a community there.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That's the trade-off. Only if the user is aware of that.

Users aren't aware they are using Google Maps?

No, most users are not aware of how much data they give up about themselves in order to get the whole functionality of the app.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#29
post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

OsmAnd: https://osmand.net/ - open source, offline maps. Really great for outdoor sports, and has profiles for running, biking, skiing, etc, way better than Google Maps for that. Driving routes often give the same route as Google Maps for me. Some things are better on Google Maps though, such as live traffic and address lookup, so it depends what you want to use it for.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#30
post #17
post #3

What are some reliable alternatives for both iOS and Android? I'm unsure how are Apple Maps, but they were hideous a while back for Eastern Europe at least.

HERE WeGo[0] works remarkably well here in the north of Africa, much better than google maps or TomTom. [0] https://wego.here.com/

Does not work on Android Auto, sadly.

And they did a rewrite a short while back and it's not as good. I used to love it, but not so much anymore.

Am hoping for Android Auto support to come to Organic Maps.

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