July 10th, 2024

Your Driving App Is Leading You Astray

The article critiques popular driving apps for leading users astray and prioritizing speed over safety and user preferences. It suggests improvements like considering sudden lane changes and promoting OpenStreetMap for better navigation.

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Your Driving App Is Leading You Astray

The article discusses the frustrations and limitations of popular driving apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps. The author highlights instances where these apps have led drivers astray, causing inconvenience and potential dangers. Despite the technological advancements in algorithms, the mapping systems are criticized for not being as efficient as they could be. The focus on finding the fastest route often overlooks factors like safety and user preferences. Suggestions are made for improvements, such as considering the impact of sudden lane changes and offering more customization options for users. The article advocates for supporting OpenStreetMap as a public good to promote competition and enhance the quality of navigational services. It also recommends exploring alternative apps like Citymapper and Organic Maps for different transportation modes. Overall, the piece calls for a reevaluation of the current mapping systems and a shift towards more user-centric and community-supported navigation solutions.

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By @uolmir - 3 months
I think the author probably exaggerates her point a bit (fair enough; she's an opinion writer), but I do find it appealing to imagine that OpenStreetMap would have broad buy-in and would lead to more innovation and diversity in the digital maps marketplace.
By @vantassell - 3 months