Currently there’s only 3 big players when it comes to maps. You’ve got Google, Apple and Microsoft.
Let’s try to make OpenStreetMap the best map there is. Go grab StreetComplete and start mapping your surroundings when you’re out and about.
All the data is under a public license and managed by a non-profit foundation in the UK.
It’s very easy to get started, and quite addictive.
I really want OpenStreetMap to allow us to run an app that gives them GPS data so we can get some open traffic data. I’m using Waze for that, but Google bought them too.
That’s MagicEarth. It’s not open source, but it is based on Openstreetmap data and it has traffic and obstacles in it, as reported by other users. The company is also based in the EU.
The point of this would be that it would be an open data platform. What’s the point of me giving this data to another closed ecosystem?
The idea is to improve OSM so that ME becomes better. With good OSM data anyone can build an open source social routing tool, a la waze, on top of it.
Some people might also trust a small European firm more than they trust Google. I’m just trying to inform about European alternatives.