A few days ago I got an email from Google Maps. My statistics for 2022. How many kilometers I drove or walked, which places I visited new or frequently, or in which countries I was in 2022.
At first, a cool statistic that brings the past year back to memory and awakens great memories. But the next moment you realize how precisely Google tracks you with the use of Google Maps. Google remembers my trips better than I do myself. That’s why I also use the timeline to find out the days at the office and home office for the tax return.
Alternative to Google Maps
OpenStreetMap - the Wikipedia of map services
Privacy is always an issue for me and I’ve also looked for data-saving alternatives for navigation. To be honest, there aren’t many. The apps of all major navigation providers all analyze the data, allegedly to improve the service. Google is of course better at linking with other data, but often also at navigation.
A major project finally caught my eye: OpenStreetMap, or OSM for short. OSM is a map service that relies on user input, so basically operates crowdmapping. Anyone can make changes to the maps or add details. The data, at least within Europe, is amazingly comprehensive. Not only the course of roads and paths is documented, but also the type and condition. Additionally, stops, pedestrian crossings, shops and more. What OSM doesn’t offer? 3D views, satellite images or StreetView. Probably either for privacy reasons or because of costs.
I’ve extensively tested the OSM-based navigation app OsmAnd in Germany, Switzerland and England over the last few weeks. With the number of required maps, the paid subscription was unavoidable. Only then can you download maps of multiple countries instead of just a few areas. The downloads aren’t exactly small either, at least if you decide directly on half of Europe. But well, you then have access to the data even when there’s no internet.
But let’s get to the most important function: navigation. The address search here is somewhat more tedious than I’m used to from Google. OsmAnd always searches from the current position, so you should first specify the city, then the street. Google Maps is clearly more intelligent there. Then you notice that OsmAnd runs completely on the device. Route calculation takes a while. For short distances it’s a few seconds to ten seconds. The longer the distance, the longer the calculation. From Frankfurt to Calais was almost unusable. I started the calculation at departure and after 20 minutes OsmAnd still hadn’t found a route. After 25 minutes the route was there - from my starting position. OsmAnd then noticed that and recalculated a route with the current position, which again took forever. So long that we were of course already many kilometers further by the time the route was there. Maybe I should have calculated the route in advance, but that’s not flexible.
And as great as the user data is, it’s not used sensibly. If I type “IKEA” into Google Maps, the app shows me all IKEAs in the area, clearly on the map. OsmAnd also finds the IKEAs, and everything else with IKEA in the name. Despite the option “Show on map”, the map remains empty for me though. Without an exact address, OsmAnd is hardly usable for me.
But well, you’ve entered an address and the calculation is complete, how is the actual navigation? I’m a bit torn here. I like the detailed view of the surroundings and the clear color scheme. More colorful than Google Maps, but great for me. The routes aren’t quite optimal though. If there’s a separate exit lane next to the highway, you’ll gladly be led onto it to drive it completely to the end back onto the highway. Traffic jam avoidance or calculation of traffic into the duration of the trip? No way. And I’m missing one thing extremely: a tilted view. OsmAnd always shows the map only directly from above. Especially on unfamiliar roads, I estimate from the route how I should drive. For that, the tilted view of Google Maps is considerably better.
Data for Functions
Is Google Maps worth giving up my data?
Difficult to decide. In some things, especially in the details and general presentation, I like OsmAnd better than Google Maps. But starting navigation is horrible and the navigation itself isn’t optimal. And here OsmAnd could also use user data to measure traffic - that’s certainly possible anonymously too.
Now for the crux: Since I use an Android smartphone including Google services, Google gets my location in any case. OsmAnd even uses Google Play Services for location determination in the default setting. Therefore, I’m currently staying with Google Maps, since it’s much more convenient to use in everyday life when the data ends up with Google anyway. The location history is also quite a useful feature in the end.
But I’m aware that my location data can say a lot about me if someone manually looks at it. Workplace, favorite places, absences, everything is recognizable. That’s currently the price of convenience. Maybe I’ll get an iPhone soon, then I’ll look at the options there.