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Comment by sorenjan | Hacker News Reader

Where I live OpenStreetMap data is superior to Google maps. There are streets that are several years old that aren't in Google maps yet, and their satellite photos really needs updating too. Strava uses Mapbox instead of Google, and it's much better because of it. I'm happy for the competition in the maps space, and the promotion of open data.

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Same here, Google maps last updated imagery in 2004, streets in 2009. 3D data, funnily, is from 2016 – but with 3D disabled, you only get 2004 satellite images.

Entire streets and districts are missing, and no transit data.

Every competitor has all that. OSM does, Here WeGo does, even Bing does.

I didn't know about Strava, that explains a lot when I'm making a route fine in Strava but can't get it on Google Maps.

If you don't mind me asking, which country/state are you located in?

Sweden. Some parts are better in Google maps, especially the smaller cities, but I live in one of the larger ones with a university and plenty of tech companies.

I used to contribute to Google map maker, but the process was really painful, and I didn't like working for free so one of the worlds biggest companies could have better proprietary data. Open Streetmap is a joy to edit in comparison.

there is also HERE map app. it started in nokia, microsoft, and now under new management. Don't know if it is going to get better or worse because of that.

It was never owned by Microsoft.

Owners:

1985–2007: Navteq

2007–15: Nokia

2015–present: Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Navinfo

2016–present: Tencent, GIC Private, Intel

On 3 August 2015, Here was sold to a consortium of German car makers Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. On 4 December 2015, the consortium completed the acquisition for 2.8 billion euros (2.9 billion US dollars).[33][34] As of December 2015 the company had 6500 employees.[35]

In December 2016, Navinfo, Tencent and GIC Private Limited (the Singapore sovereign wealth fund) agreed to buy a 10% stake in HERE.[34] In January 2017 it was reported that Intel was taking a 15% stake in the firm.[34]

Captain Wikipedia flies away.

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