There is no doubt that the online mapping application changed the way of exploring new paths. In those olden days, we are having only those old paper maps and little old crazy magnetic compass to find the route. As narrated in a lot of films, an old map and a magnetic compass are essential tools to find treasure ! to navigate ! or to know the location!
Now things have changed and now we can accurately find our exact location, find us on the map, find the shortest route, fastest route, nearest places, traffic statics, tourist places and everything. Google Maps is one of the best-known applications for finding the driving direction and finding the traffic condition. Google Maps available as an online website and as an app. You can install an app on your device and can use your device feature to find the location. Most people don’t know there are other map applications exist having more features than Google Maps. This story is all about various map application that you can use for your next exploration.
1. Bing Map
Did you heard of mapblast.com, a map solution acquired by Microsoft in 2002 and added it to MSN maps as Microsoft map point. Using Bing map one can browse and search topographically-shaded street maps for many cities worldwide. Road view feature is the default map view and displays vector imagery of roads, buildings, and geography. Aerial view provides satellite imagery onto the map and highlights roads and major landmarks for easy identification amongst the satellite images. Bird’s-eye view shows aerial imagery captured from low-flying aircraft. A 360-degree imagery of street-level scenes taken from special cameras mounted on moving vehicles are available at Streetside. Venue maps provides a way of seeing the layout of the venue. The 3D maps feature allows users to see the environment like buildings in 3D with rotate and tilt the angle in addition to panning and zooming. Inaddition to this like other maps, users can get directions between two or more locations. Bing Maps shows users current traffic information for major highways and roads. The feature uses four colour codes (black, red, yellow, green) to indicate traffic volume, from heaviest traffic to lightest traffic. Like other map service Bing Maps allows users to share maps and embed maps into users websites. The search box at the top of Bing Maps can be used to locate places, businesses and landmarks, and people. Search results contains addresses, contact information, and reviews for businesses and landmarks.
2. MapQuest
Mapquest is a mapping service owned by AOL. MapQuest gives street-level detail map and driving directions for a variety of countries. You can check if your country is available via a pull-down menu on the MapQuest home page.
3. OpenStreetMap
(https://www.openstreetmap.org/)
OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative project to create a free editable map of the world.Created by Steve Coast in the UK in 2004 inspired by the success of Wikipedia. Map data is collected by volunteers using ground surveys with using tools such as a handheld GPS unit, a notebook, digital camera, or a voice recorder.
4. Waze
As per Waze, it is the world’s largest community-based traffic and navigation app. You can join other drivers in your area who share real-time traffic and road info.
5. Yandex Maps
Yandex provides detailed maps of cities in Europe and the world with street names, building numbers, and businesses. Satellite images, street panoramas, and building photos are also available. You can create maps online easily with the Yandex Map Constructor without the need for any programming skills.
6. Wikimapia Map
Wikimapia is an online editable map.The data in Wikimapia is derived from voluntary crowdsourcing. All users, registered or unregistered or guest users are allowed to add a place on the Wikimapia layer.
7.Tomtom Map
(https://www.tomtommaps.com/en_us/)
TomTom NV is a Dutch company that produces traffic, navigation and mapping products.From mobile and web applications to smart cities, transportation, and internet of things, they provide Maps and Traffic products and Online APIs for location-aware technologies.
