2y ago

Magic Earth is an alternative to Waze and Google Maps with crowdsourced traffic and road hazard information

As part of a #BigTechDiet, I've been hoping to find an alternative to #Waze and #Google Maps - a navigation app that can tell me about slowdowns, hazards, and speed traps based on reports from other users. Today, I learned about Magic Earth.

It's proprietary, but not from FAANG or a company subject to the government of China, Russia, or Five Eyes countries. It collects minimal user data and has a good privacy policy. There are versions for both Android and iOS, and the Android version works without Google services.

https://www.magicearth.com/

navigation #maps #Android #IOS #AndroidApp #IOSApp @technology

11 comments

I tried it for one 15 min drive, and for me it did not work well. I mean if you strickly do not want to use gmaos, Waze, or Here, magic earth could be an option. But if you are quality first - magic map is unlikely a good choice.
But, everything depends on personal needs, of course.
- @gelberhut I have yet to give it a rigorous test. Every navigation tool I've used heavily has had a few bad drives so I wouldn't dismiss it based on such a small sample.
  
  For me this was enough: from graphic to speed with which it followed my drive (delayed) it was not a good tool for me. Most probably, usable, but way less usable than Google maps and Waze.