On the third DI Day, I am parting ways with Apple’s proprietary Maps app and switching to CoMaps as an alternative.1 After two confirmation prompts, the app was quickly removed from the phone.
Screenshot of removing the Apple Maps app on iOS
For quite some time, I have been frustrated with Apple, not just in terms of privacy and digital independence. It is also the steadily declining user experience. As an iPhone user since 2007, I was originally convinced by thoughtful details and clean design. Today, I see the same lack of care and the same aggressive data collection as with other big tech companies.
DI Day is a good opportunity to finally act on that.2 Even if Apple’s mapping technology is not classified as a relevant gatekeeper by the EU.3 It is the many small steps that add up to something bigger.4
For several years now, I have been using the predecessor of CoMaps on a dedicated navigation device on my pedelec. The main reason was its offline capability, based on OpenStreetMap data, and its uncluttered interface. No constant internet connection, no active mobile network, and as a result, much longer battery life.
“Uncluttered” means a clean interface with reduced functionality, no distractions, and no unnecessary complexity. That matters to me in any navigation app. The last thing I want is to be interrupted by messages or notifications, whether I am on a bike, in a car, or in an aircraft. In aviation, I use Enroute, which I have covered on this blog before.5 From my perspective, there are very few technical reasons to stay online all the time.
Navigation device mounted on a pedelec
CoMaps split off last year as a fork of Organic Maps.6 Since then, I have switched all my devices to CoMaps. It not only reversed some questionable decisions but also introduced useful improvements, such as tracking routes.
To be clear, I am referring to the mobile CoMaps app for Android and iOS. The desktop version is not recommended at the moment. On GNOME, it feels out of place and is barely usable.
One quality signal for the project: it is hosted on Codeberg, not on Microsoft GitHub.7
With that,
have a great DI Day!
Tomas Jakobs