Huawei is unable to install Google services on its new devices, so it has been forced to develop its own version from scratch: Huawei Mobile Services. Part of this HMS is the Map Kit, huawei mapping service which will be based on TomTom technology.
Map Kit is currently in beta, however we were able to prove it To get an idea of how Huawei's efforts are improving to include all of Google outside of China, maps are included.
First, the developer account
Map Kit is not, at the moment, an app, but a map service designed for developers to include in their applications. If all goes well, it would be reasonable to assume that Huawei is creating its own Google Map using the Map Kit, but is currently thought of as a an embedded application for other applications, especially on mobile phones other than Google services.
So, there is no APK to download and test, but if you want to try the Map Kit, you have to do it yourself. This is telling register as a developer in Huawei developer console. The good news is that it is at least free. Doing it on Google console costs $ 25.
Huawei is proud that the App Gallery is the only app store that does engineering credentials, and this appears shortly after registration begins. You need to upload a photo of your passport (or ID) and a bank card, your name appearing on both.
Ownership is verified manually within 1 to 2 days – it took me less than 24 hours – and you get access to all ecosystem services. Alternatively, the Huawei console is not much different than Google's. Map Kit is one of the unique APIs which you can install as a developer for your applications. Today, HMS Core contains 17 different APIs.
Huawei did not hesitate to copy Google APIs for its HMS almost point-by-point, and if the Map Kit replaces Google Maps, the Site Kit equals Google Places. Map Kit is responsible for showing maps, while The Site Kit is responsible for searching available sites and points. Huawei currently has no other way to search for routes, though they are mentioned in different parts, so they should come later.
If you do not have Huawei services, they are included
We have been able to partially test the current state of Huawei maps taking advantage of a number of model projects for developers who demonstrate their immense potential. It is worth emphasizing that or the appearance or functions are final, and there may be many changes before programs that take advantage of them begin to arrive.
Obviously, the Map Kit doesn't require Google Services, but rather requires a Huawei Services. If you have a Huawei phone, they are, but if not the first thing you will notice when launching an app that uses Huawei maps is a warning to download HMS.
As you may be curious, Huawei Mobile Services downloaded directly from the program, something that is against the rules of publishing apps on Google Play. Of course, this isn't a big deal for Huawei, but it would mean that developers have to make two versions, one for Google Play and the other for Huawei phones.
Maps are too dense
Google took a long time to find a style of maps capable of displaying many details without breaking down, and it seems likely that Huawei will have to drink the same drink. Today, the Kit Kit maps It's hard to see, with a GPS steryear design reminder.
As for romance (cartographic) nothing is written, though Huawei map style It looks more like a typical print map than a digital one, though the design may change in a future version. In addition, the developers themselves can customize how the map is displayed to a certain extent.
Maps themselves are complete, or mapping is much more fluid than Google Maps or other apps. Still Much remains to be done to improve and to search on Huawei Maps, or something more important: it is possible to add tags, move the camera, create lines, add thumbnails and many existing geographical functions to Google Maps.
Traffic information is included, though less accurate than Google Maps
There are currently no satellite views available, either yes you can check traffic. It is shown in a smaller way than Google Maps, although the details include a large number of roads and recent incidents, as well as how many delays they can take.
There is no 100% connection between Google's traffic data and Huawei, as this depends information provided by official sources (regular traffic guidance, city halls, etc.) while Google incorporates real-time location data, anonymously, through mobile phones for Android drivers, to get reliable results.
An almost exhaustive list of sources that provide data, points of interest such as Maps Kit are not available parks, train or bus stop or street names. Basically, when it comes from the TomTom browser, it should appear here.
But the site search, this time it's not on the Map Kit but on the Site Kit, the fact that we haven't been able to see it yet, despite the results themselves. Searches such as "Eiffel tower", "Retiro Park" or other name are listed in the database, although the results appear to have no major command (for example, one result appears before the Eiffel tower).
Creating a year for what Google achieved at 15 is not easy
In short, apart from what Huawei has said before, Map Kit is currently very green, and that rebuild in a few months or a year that Google has been developing since 2005 is no small task.
Not 100% and probably not 25%, but at least he's well-developed. Who knows, the same thing eventually turns into another Google Map, something that is increasingly difficult to find.
