Overture Maps, a mapping initiative by Meta, Amazon, Microsoft and TomTom, has released its first set of map data.
This may not sound like big news for the average user of Google Maps or Apple Maps, but it could have a significant on the apps you use in the future.
The first release of Overture Maps includes information on more than 59 million places across the world, from restaurants to famous sights, and the footprints of more than 780 million buildings.
The Operture Maps Foundation is an open initiative, making it a compelling alternative to Google Maps for app and software-makers. Google Maps takes a closed approach, giving Google greater control over how its map data is used and implemented. It also charges app developers for access to Google Maps, based on how many times the app’s users call on mapping info.
Any app you use that has a mapping component likely uses one of the big map systems behind the scenes. These include Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Mapbox and Esri ArcGIS.
Overture Maps is a new competitor to these, and is partially based on the data used in OpenStreetMap, which is another open, and long-standing, mapping system. Esri is also a “general” member of the Operture Maps Foundation, positioning Overture as a key rival to Mapbox, Apple Maps and Google Maps. But mostly Google Maps.
Overture Maps Foundation was established in 2022, as a partnership between Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Meta and TomTom.
Its aim is “to create the smartest map on the planet,” according to TomTom VP of Engineering Mike Harrell. It also aims to make sure all your map needs in the future won’t be supplied by either Google or Apple.
At the very least this should help to improve Microsoft’s Bing Maps, which lags some way behind Google Maps and Apple Maps.
“Anyone who works in mapping knows that the initial data is just the beginning; the ongoing challenge lies in maintaining the data amidst constant changes to meet user expectations,” says Overture Maps Foundation executive director Marc Prioleau.
