Google Maps vs. OpenStreetMap

[mnewman]

I'm a big fan of OpenStreetMap (OSM).

I've spent many hours collecting data in and around my neighborhood and mapping that data for the OpenStreetMap project.

I'm a bit worried, however, about Apple's rumored move to replace Google Maps with an in-house mapping system based on OpenStreetMap data.

Sadly, the state of mapping on OSM is highly variable. In places with large numbers of enthusiasts, such as London, every dustbin and letterbox is careful added to the database.

In rural Thailand, where I live, the OSM database includes major highways and city streets and that's about it.

Compare the following areas:

Korat - Google Maps

Korat - OSM

The only place where OSM has any significant detail is north of the railway track just north of Highway 2. That's all mapping that I did. South of Highway 2, OSM has almost nothing. Compare especially the southeast quadrant of the two maps.

Compare now the Google Maps and OSM data on the provincial capital of Roi Et:

Roi Et - Google Maps

Roi Et - OSM

Clearly, the OSM version has insufficient detail to be of any real use.

This is true for most of Thailand. I live in the Northeast, a region called "Isaan". According to Wikipedia, "Isan covers 160,000 km2 (62,000 sq mi) making it slightly larger than England and Wales together...." And yet, AFAIK, there are only two of us mapping this huge region. It took me months and months just to get the streets mapped within a few kilometers of my home. I am only now trying to map POIs such as restaurants, convenience stores, petrol stations, ATMs, etc.

It will be a long, long time before OSMs database is actually useful for much of the world.

[frankforster]

Google maps will always have a dominance in this field and with time will only get stronger as well, although currently there can be flaws