It’s not that there is a huge variety of map apps for Android Auto, the list is quite small; with two clear kings who rule over the rest, not least because of their advantageous position: Google Maps and Waze are the usual pair of GPS navigators. Are you looking for a good alternative that you can also use in the car? Organic Maps is my favorite. And it has some advantages over its competitors.
Opening Google Maps on an Android mobile is the most common and practical thing to do whenever we are faced with a route, although it is not the only valid application to guide us from one point to another . He was the first to propose a completely free GPS navigation system. And from Maps came other options, such as Waze; which ended up being bought by Google. Are there any good alternatives beyond this Alphabet-owned duo? And there are so many.
Organic Maps is free, open source and you can download the maps
This application has various aspects, since it is very oriented towards bike rides and mountain walks. All without losing sight of the driver of cars and other motor vehicles, who Organic Maps is also valid while driving. One example of this is that it offers compatibility with Android Auto, with all that that entails.
Thanks to the features included in Organic Maps, which end up being transferred to the use of the application on Android Auto, it is possible download all maps to your phone so you don’t have to struggle to create offline areas, as is the case with Google Maps. That I want to avoid problems and maintain point-to-point guidance even in areas without coverage? Organic Maps, combined with Android Auto, solves the problem perfectly.
This is the function I like the most in the application, being able to download the maps. It is not the only application that offers this and, in addition, is compatible with Android Auto, Here WeGo meets both premises. Still, I prefer organic cards for other added points. How are:
- Organic Maps allows some customization from the car console. In addition to the route options (tolls, highways, etc.), Organic offers you the choice of night mode and even a setting to enlarge the font size on the screen. It sounds silly, but it makes the map much easier to read.
- There is no advertising. In Google Maps and Waze, many businesses stand out from the rest with their ads, the complete opposite of what happens in Organic Maps. The application uses Open Street Maps.
- The interface is quite clear when navigating in the car. Open Street Maps doesn’t offer a very modern look on the smartphone, although I like it when it switches to Android Auto. The guidance is comfortable and the layout and instructions are well appreciated. In terms of TTS, I opt for Google Maps: the assistant is the voice that I like the most.
- It can save a lot of battery. It’s not that a GPS navigator is effective, especially since the screen must be on, although Organic Maps has an additional option that allows you to save consumption without losing the route. The setting is found in the settings menu.
- It’s open source. That an application has its code available to users, and to developers who wish to make improvements to the application, seems very positive to me. And it’s added value to the software.
It’s not as comprehensive as Google Maps, nor does it have the significant social layer that Waze boasts. In return, Organic Maps offers offline downloading of maps to navigate anywhere. knowing that the indications will not disappear; apart from other functions which, at least in my case, are very interesting. For me it is an application to take into account.
Organic cards: You Bici Pilota
Browse privately – open source and community driven
Cover image | Ivan Linares
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